<p>What kinds of research projects have you guys done and what were their titles (in scientific terms)? Also, how did you start/find your mentors? I haven't done any yet, so I was just wondering what kinds were out there.</p>
<p>I did research in penn state's astro dept. found my mentor b/c a friend of my parents knew I was interested in astro, and introduced me to a prof he had. if you live in a college town, I highly recommend going to w/e dept you're interested in, and asking if there are any research opportunities available. more often than not they're more than happy to have free labor, as they often pay undergrads for the work they do.</p>
<p>If you want ideas, go to the local university, go to the journal room, spend a few whole days there, read all the journals that are about stuff that interest you. Pick a few topics. Then, think of a few more narrowed research projects for each, think each over and how you would do it (considering if its practical, if you can make a breakthrough, and if it really makes you excited). Then, email professors at a university, or people at a private research firm, or (if you're into bio/medical research), a research hospital.</p>
<p>It might take a long time to get an idea, but remember thats one of the hardest parts, so suck it up for some time, actually go to the journal room, and read like mad for a reallllly long time.</p>
<p>Also, your first few ideas probably won't work. Don't get discouraged. It happens to every single person, even me, and I eventually (miraculously and after about 3 failed attempts) made it to Siemens Westinghouse Regionals.</p>
<p>Is a high school freshman too young for this?</p>
<p>Will</p>
<p>What are you talking about Journal Room. I was going on the websites of local universities and looking up research done by professors. I was thinking about contacting one that I am interested. I just want to know how you guys get into Westinghouse or Intel. How can you take work that was originally some professors that you are ASSISTING with and now make it as your Westinghouse project? Explain. Thanks!</p>
<p>Is the best way to contact professors to actually volunteer to work for a particular specific field that you've specified? (Not just by e-mailing random professors and saying "Hey, I'm willing to do some research" and nothing else)?. Do you have to propose a solution to a question posed in a journal or just say that you want to work in a particular field? IN NASA SHARP and RSI apps, they only ask for fields that you're interested in.</p>
<p>Theres quite a few programs for people to get involved in research. Most of them are for high school juniors. Check out some of the links on this</a> blog post from a MIT admissions officer. I did chemistry research through the Welch program last summer and it was an awesome experience. To the OP, since you're in Houston, if you're interested in biology, ask you counselor about the King</a> Foundation High School Summer Program in Biomedical Sciences.</p>
<p>Anything you would reccommend for New York? I am thinking about Polytechnic University Y.E.S. program OR SRTP from New York Academy of Science</p>
<p>If you're a junior interested in material science, SUNY Stony Brook has the Garcia[/url</a>] program. I remember reading somewhere that that program had quite a few Siemens winners. Some of the other program, like [url=<a href="http://www.cee.org/rsi/index.shtml%5DRSI%5B/url">http://www.cee.org/rsi/index.shtml]RSI[/url</a>] and [url=<a href="http://www.clarkscholars.ttu.edu/%5DClark%5B/url">http://www.clarkscholars.ttu.edu/]Clark[/url</a>], are further away from NY but provide housing. If you're interested in the life sciences, check out [url=<a href="http://www.rit.edu/%7Egtfsbi/Symp/highschool.htm%5Dthis">http://www.rit.edu/~gtfsbi/Symp/highschool.htm]this</a> page for a list of programs. Also check out some of the program in the blog post mentioned above.</p>
<p>Nice list.. I'm actually a sophmore, thus I have less of a selection. Well, I actually am considering the Garcia program because I am hearing some good things. That program is not too much money. For some other programs at like Columbia and NYU my parents don't want to/cant spend $3000+ for the summer. I'll see, but thanks!</p>
<p>Can freshmen consider the Garcia program?</p>
<p>Sorry, I don't think so. </p>
<p>You should still e-mail them instead and find out reguardless of what it says on the website. I am applying to a program where I have to be 16 by the end of the program, however I am a few months short and the lady from the program told me that I should definately apply.</p>