Research Advice?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>I was talking to my biology teacher the other day, and was offered a research opportunity. He told me that he had friends that could help out, but he wanted me to pick a topic to research.</p>

<p>Thing is, I've never done research in my life, even though on CC it seems everyone is doing crazy things like using Navier-Stokes equations to predict turbulence. </p>

<p>Do any of you have any topics to suggest? I'm not particularly good at any science subject, but managed to place in USAPHO (quarter) and USNCO (semi). Kinda weak at biology <- Forgot everything.</p>

<p>Also, how hard is it to place in Siemens/Intel?</p>

2

<p>Dissect some frogs while drinking natty light brah. Groundbreaking</p>

3

<p>We talking about molecular or environmental?</p>

4

<p>I have no freaking idea.</p>

5

<p>Check the website sciencebuddies.org for ideas, but mostly, just make sure that its something you really love. For a Intel/Siemens worthy project, you’re going to be putting in a LOT of hours. 40+/week in the summer and 10-15 in the school year is most definitely possible, as well as much more. If you are not very interested in your topic, you will be miserable.</p>

<p>Re: Intel/Siemens: Placing is all but impossible. There are so few kids that do it each year, and so many impressive projects. It is much more reasonable to aim for semifinalist or finalist status in these (still a very prestigious accomplishment). For Siemens there were 1372 projects submitted, almost all of which were high-level and very impressive for a high school student, but only a quarter of them were recognized as SF or F.</p>

<p>In conclusion, do the research for your own benefit: because you are interested in it, because you love research and being in a lab. Do not do it for the external rewards. Maybe this is a dangerous analogy, but its sort of like college admissions. Being rejected from a top school is not a rejection of you as a person, just as not making Siemens or Intel is not a rejection of your research. If it is important and enjoyable to you, then it is worthwhile, regardless of what a couple judges holed up in a conference room somewhere say about it.</p>

6

<p>sciencebuddies is definitely a good resource; however, keep in mind that the more ‘original’ the research is, the more value it has to the scientific community. Of course, all research has to be based on some preexisting work, so sciencebuddies may in fact be a good place to start.</p>

<p>I’ve been doing science fair/research for 5 years, and I’ve won first at state 3 of them, plus a ton of special awards, finalist at ISEF, and some other competitions on the side, as well as publishing a couple of papers. Here’s what I’ve learned:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Judging is always sporadic. Good research projects can lose, and ‘less-good’ ones can win. It all depends on the judges that you get, and what they’re looking for.</p></li>
<li><p>There’re a ton of competitions besides just Siemens (only for seniors, anyway) and Intel (both ISEF and Science Talent Search). Some are specific to field (they have quite a few environmental related fairs, Stockholm Junior Water Prize, etc), and others are just off to the side (here in Florida, we have the Orlando Science Center challenge between county and state, and also the Nelson Ying competition, which selects 5 finalists and is fairly competitive/well regarded). Look around, ask your mentors/colleagues, and see where else you can submit research.</p></li>
<li><p>If your research is original enough in your field, try getting a publication out of it. To put it in perspective, a publication is something that would go on things like college apps now, but is also significant enough to be brought up in interviews/CVs waaay down the line. More importantly, though, a publication contributes to the existing body of scientific knowledge, and adding to this knowledge base is a crucial part of advancing science.</p></li>
<li><p>Echoing what others have said, placing can be really, really hard, but often times just becoming a finalist is noteworthy. Moreover, the people you meet at the top levels of competitions are amazing, and you make contacts/friends for life there.</p></li>
<li><p>mt1993 knows what’s up, research should be all self-motivated, don’t worry about the competitions. If you come up with a good topic and work hard, you know your research is good and will prolly be helpful in your future career. Good research will eventually be rewarded no matter what, and you’ll learn a ton doing it.
For reference, I put about 400-500 hours a year into research/preparation/everything else science fair or general research related, and enjoyed every minute of it!</p></li>
</ul>