<p>I'm beginning an engineering research project (in robotics), which I'm going to enter in my local science fair in February, hopefully to move on to ISEF. With luck, I'll even be finished in time to enter it in Siemens-Westinghouse. I've already got an idea, and I'll likely be doing this in my own home, without a mentor or lab. Any advice?</p>
<p>Hi there. I’m going to ISEF for the first time this year on a project that I did in my kitchen. I would recommend finding a partner or a mentor. Working alone is very difficult, and it’s much easier when there is someone to bounce ideas off of. Seriously. See if there is anyone that is interested in what you are doing, but that you can also work with. However, if you aren’t able to or chose not to work with someone else, that’s fine to. Make sure that you get as much of it done as soon as possible since with engineering, unexpected delays always seem to happen. Also, you’re going to want to spend a lot of time doing research on the internet. Even if you don’t formally get a mentor/partner, then you still may want to see if there is anyone that can offer advice from time to time.</p>
<p>And also, I’m pretty sure that the Siemens Competition requires a mentor.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>What kind of research did you do?</p>
<p>I designed a new type of vertical axis wind turbine that generates less friction. Which meant making a turbine out of paper and cardboard and testing it in my kitchen with a fan and doing “data analysis” on excel.</p>
<p>I made an RC car with camera which sent live video to the user’s computer. It got me a lot of recognition.
You can PM me if you want more details, I can send you the code too. :)</p>