<p>I've been hearing about a lot of people who are very interested in the sciences, especially medicine, as I am, who are conducting "research" as high school students.</p>
<p>What exactly does this nebulous term refer to? To be considered to have conducted "research," do you need to work with a professor, a doctor, get your work published, etc?</p>
<p>In short, how can I hunt down and set myself up with some research opportunities of my own?</p>
<p>Thanks a whole lot!</p>
<p>Good question.</p>
<p>I'd like this to be answered, too, please. I'm interested in the medical field (particularly surgical), and how do I get started in research?</p>
<p>Ditto here...</p>
<p>anyone?</p>
<p>bumpity bumpity</p>
<p>go to a university in your state, most likely a state university, and ask the medical office if they have any research opportunities for high school students.</p>
<p>I myself prefer email for this type of thing. If there are colleges, hospitals that do research (most often teaching hospitals, though private hospitals do research too), or private research companies in your area, you can browse their websites and contact researchers or an office secretary and ask whether there is a possibility you could help out in the lab. </p>
<p>As for the term "research", you're right to be a little confused. "Research" can mean as little as following a researcher around, helping out with filing, etc. all the way to those kids that you hear about that make the national science fairs by conducting their own innovative experiments. But don't worry--you don't have to get your research published in a journal or even have your own research idea.
You'll most likely start out as someone who does in fact simply follow a researcher around, and over time you might be able to help with equipment setup, running the software, organizing the data, etc. As you prove yourself to be reliable, you'll be given more and more opportunities. </p>
<p>And don't forget, no matter how menial your work is, you can still say "I worked in a lab this summer; I did research" :)</p>
<p>Here are some other things you could look for to find research opportunities:</p>
<p>Are there any formal programs in your area? Some places have programs that you apply to, and sometimes even have to interview for, to get the position. Look on the websites...summer programs are the most common. You might even get paid (although summer research programs for undergraduates generally do this more than high school programs).</p>
<p>Can an organization set you up with a researcher or a company?
In my area (urban Portland, OR) there is a nonprofit organization that runs after-school and weekend enrichment activities taught by professionals from around the state. They also set students up for unpaid internships with researchers in the fields of medicine, biological and chemical sciences, and engineering.</p>
<p>Am I willing to just shoot off an email to someone I've never met?
Though you may have some trepidation about doing this, just remember that an email takes only about 15 seconds to read, so if they don't care you won't have inconvenienced anybody. They may even email you back and say that, while they are busy, they can hook you up with someone that isn't. </p>
<p>As for job shadowing (not what you asked, I know), some hospitals have outreach programs that will help you get in touch with doctors that wouldn't mind having a high school student shadow them. </p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>
<p>ooh pretty post</p>