<p>Hi I am a sophomore and I am interested in doing science fair research. I am planning to contact some professors over winter break so I can start working with one ASAP. The thing is I've been really busy, so I haven't been able to research my topic of interest very much. While I do know the basics, my background research has not gone so in depth that I could read the scholarly scientific papers. So for those of you who have done science fair research, how much time did you spend doing background research before contacting a mentor, and to what extent? Because I don't want to contact a professor and end up looking stupid because I didn't put in the necessary effort, and have them reject me, and possibly give me a bad reputation in case I decide to reattempt getting a mentor. Thank you so much!</p>
<p>bump 10char</p>
<p>bump 10char coupd someone plz rply??? i want to reach a mentor during winter break!!</p>
<p>Have you tried asking on the Science Majors forum? Might get more help there.</p>
<p>Would you mind if I reposted it? I don’t want to go against the rules again…last time I thought you couldn’t repost until 24 hours after…</p>
<p>Leave this one here and start a new one asking your question on the Science forum, that’s fine because you’re only posting on applicable forums and not spamming many.</p>
<p>You also need to recognize that not all questions are answered, no matter how many bumps or new threads. It really depends on the amount of interest and experience of other members.</p>
<p>Ok, thank you so much entomom!</p>
<p>I didn’t do any background research when I contacted my now PI. When he asked me to send in an application I still didn’t do any background research. When he called me for an interview however I went to his lab website to familiarize myself with some of the basic projects that were going on in the lab. You also need to understand that professors don’t expect you to have a full working knowledge of the topic. They really just expect you to be excited to do research and willing to work hard. They want you to be smart, but only so that you can understand the concepts that they will undoubtedly teach you. They will fill in the gaps you just need to be able to process it</p>
<p>bump 10char :)</p>
<p>thanks stownman though! if anyone else has anything to say could you please? it would be very very much appreciated! :D</p>
<p>bump10char</p>
<p>Is this for initially doing original research (which is what I think it is) or helping/assisting professors with projects going on in their lab (and finding a professor who has research interests similar to yours) and when is this for-- science fair next year?</p>
<p>Background reading, I think is a good idea if you get called in for an interview. Many people are busy and will more likely than not reply to you, so there’s no point reading and trying to find papers when you’re so busy. When you go in, read their websites (most people have one) and the abstracts of their papers. If you can grasp that much, you pretty much know enough. You can hardly be expected to be as knowledgeable as a person with at least 12+ years of experience- the idea is mainly to show that a) you care and b) have enough background to ask interesting questions. </p>
<p>If you’re doing a project that is entirely your idea, then you need to know exactly what you want to do, but I’m not sure if that’s what you’re talking about.</p>
<p>for starting an original project for hopefully nexr years sci fair</p>
<p>yes thank u very much ecouter11!! :)</p>