<p>I was wondering, how do most students get experience doing research? I was interested in doing research but have never figured out where to begin. When I look things up, I see students competing in national science competitions and fairs, having done research and publishing their reports filled with words I have no idea what they mean. </p>
<p>I wanted to know, how exactly can I get involved with this? Should I be self-studying and figuring out what these words or concepts or themes mean? </p>
<p>My school doesn't have that great of a STEM program. Other than an Astronomy club, there are no major competitive science clubs at my school.</p>
<p>I want to apply as a science major (either physics or chemistry) to a top university. Would not having research or science experience outside of class negatively impact me during the admissions process?</p>
<p>They won’t be looking for science research and make a black mark that you don’t have any. Most high schools students will not have science research, no matter the major. At least you have the astronomy club to take advantage of. But if you want to get more involved you can try. Don’t get too hung up on the specific field, any research begins to teach you about the process. Even washing up in a lab is a place to start. Hopefully you can get connected with something that interests you. Imagine Magazine has issue that focus on particular topics and there is always a ‘get involved’ page. I’m pretty sure there are resources online.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>astronomy and paleontology are two sciences where contributions are regularly made by amateurs; do some library reading and look for local groups or museum groups to join</p></li>
<li><p>some university have summer programs for hs students</p></li>
<li><p>other programs to get you started, like
[SSP</a> - Summer Science Program](<a href=“http://www.summerscience.org/home/index.php]SSP”>Summer Science Program – "The educational experience of a lifetime"…since 1959)</p></li>
<li><p>there may be opportunities through NSF and other institute funding, depending on your location, and some away possibilities as well.</p></li>
<li><p>some museums have opportunities, hospitals</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Mostly you are going to have to put in some time to find something. Talk to people, email people. Know who you are calling and what they are doing. Don’t overlook help from your local librarian.</p>
<p>Try to find a mentor be it a teacher or whatever. The book In Code, talked about how one student went about working on projects and I think won international Intel competition doing math/computing work. But she had her father to mentor.</p>
<p>More resources:
[Get</a> Involved | NOVA Labs | PBS](<a href=“http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/opportunities/]Get”>Opportunities | NOVA Labs | PBS)</p>