<p>@bookworm, that’s a good point. My mentor goes on vacation before the school year, so I don’t know if he’ll be around to give us a new one. Still, I can talk to others probably.</p>
<p>@Katheih, sounds good. I will just mention very politely that it’d be nice if we got some chances to work independently or address different aspects of the same question. I’m not a ‘glory hunter’ at all, I just want a chance to do work independently and really learn. Like ideally, that’s how I would choose to learn. Whatever, I guess I will make the best of it.</p>
<p>@barium- nice name, lol. Yes, I know it’s suitable. It’s never been investigated before though it’s relatively simple to do. I didn’t really discuss it with him because I was intimidated when I first met with him and thought it would be not proper of me. 
I’m thinking now that I’ll do my best this summer and really contribute and learn techniques and stuff so that I can ask him in September if I can continue working in his lab, on a project that’s science fair eligible. My thinking is that at least- that I would show I am reliable and hardworking and passionate + I know techniques, so I would be more of a help than a hinder, which is the case for most HS students. </p>
<p>@whydoicare It’s not a standalone project, by far. It’s just part of a bigger investigation in the lab. If I get it done, it’s a benefit to a certain research group. Still, I see your point. Science Fair is important for college admissions for me, but I can focus on that later.</p>
<p>@astults, thanks. I will do my best with what I have and succeed at that.</p>
<p>@consolation. I think I understand what everyone is trying to tell me now. I will do what you say. I’ve just been in bad positions before with stuff like this, where I never even got to really touch the experiments so maybe that is why I am so wary. However, I’ll do my best with what I have.</p>
<p>@jym. The other girl has no research experience whatsoever. She’s just a rising freshman in college, a HS graduate. Still, I see your point.</p>
<p>@4my2girls I have 0% problem being paired with a grad student. I have 0% problem with collaborating with him and listening to him. The person I am talking about has never worked in a lab before. She is as green, or perhaps even more green than me. I’m, or rather I was upset that I’ll lose an opportunity to work independently because I’ll be put with another person. Many people here have pointed out to me that is not simply the case and I understand that. The whole “planning experiments and stuff” is what the people said to me. They literally said “we’ll give you an intro, and then we’re cutting you loose”. I was thinking that I would be denied the opportunity to do work on my own by being paired with this girl, but I think I’m freaking out for no reason now. We still get to learn! </p>
<p>Plus, the “planning experiments” is important to me solely because I want to know how it’s like, how it’s done! The experiments are just tools, and I want to learn how to effectively design experiments so I can do that as a professional researcher later in my life. I really really really really really love science and I want to know how it’s done and get a chance to do it. That’s it. Anyways, I think I can learn from this, so it should all be good. </p>
<p>@compmom, I see what you’re saying. I want very much to be successful with my applications to top universities. It’s very important for me and my family. Still, I need to keep it in perspective and understand that it’s not all about me. </p>
<p>@sax. I feel like you didn’t really understand what I was saying/getting at, so whatever.</p>
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and it’s really quite fascinating.