This article describes the results of a study into students' experiences of independent research project work in science. Independent research projects are projects in which students are supervised (usually by a teacher, scientist or both) to work independently on a scientific problem or question over an extended period. We collected data from 39 young people aged 16-19 engaged in independent research project work using group interviews and found that the projects gave them experience of thinking and acting like a researcher, and had an impact on their aspirations for future study or employment in science.