<p>mind sharing your story? i have not heard my school offering such opportunities and I'd like to know how you reached your accomplishments</p>
<p>I totally understand where you are coming from. I attend a small, rural school with very few academic clubs or activities. You have to make a lot of your own opportunities. I have done science fair for a long time, and my school does happen to offer a class that basically is a way to get credit and support for doing such a project (that is unneccesary though - you can do one on your own, try e-mailing professors at nearby universities or other research institutions, and seeing if any of them would be willing to mentor you - assuming you're intrested in science to begin with), so this year I did a major science fair project. I e-mailed various local experts on my topic, and was finaly able to find a mentor by going to a meeting for people who were interested in volunteering to help with the animals that I wanted to study. I found out about the meeting because I volunteer with a related organization. That's one really good way to get involved in new opportunities. Find outside organizations that you're interested in and see if you can volunteer or intern there. It's a great way to learn more and make connections. Ultimately I won 4th award at ISEF for this project, and I'm continueing it this year. </p>
<p>Another way to get support for a science project is to do a summer research program. There are a number around the country that set you up with a professor who will mentor you in a project. Most of them are at universities, and you get to live in the dorms with others in your program. I'm currently at one at UC Davis (Young Scholars Prograam) and am having a great time!</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Hey,
To get into summer research I used Google extensively!
Lots of hours went into finding internships programs that I was qualfied for, and very interested in. I filled out some applications, emailed extensively and then finally got the call back that honestly changed my life. </p>
<p>So, if your school doesn't offer any summer opportunities like mine, go out and make some opportunities, it's totally worth it.</p>
<p>I knew what field I liked and I wanted to do research in, and based off of that I did a fairly comprehensive google search in that area to find anyone willing to publish the work of a high school student. I did my research, wrote my paper, and then, with some luck, I was published.</p>
<p>I agree with geologistsrock. I had to find my own internship. The one I have now was briefly mentioned on our local Fox news. I called a bajillion people, most at Fox, till I finally got the phone number of the place I wanted to intern at. Then I spoke with a bunch of people there until I finally got it. And I must say, I cannot be happier!</p>
<p>So yes, its definitely a dog-eat-dog world, unfortunately.</p>
<p>I went to a rural school as well. The cool thing about my school is that the
teachers are very supportive and want to help the student grow. I had
to however start a bunch of stuff myself to be able to do the things I did.</p>
<p>Wanting to design cooler T-shirts, I started dabbling with some visualization
tools in my sophomore year. This turned into a full blown science project that
I used to enter my first science fair ever. Later I got to represent my state at
the ISEF, win a bunch of cash awards etc.</p>
<p>Teachers at school were very supportive and even let me do a formal
independent research study with them which lead to all kinds of
national and international recognition (and more cash awards).</p>
<p>My school has a very laid back atmosphere. Athletics and inter-town
sports rivalries mean more than science typically. However our science
teachers are fantastic. They encourage individuals and support their
aspirations in a very positive manner.</p>