what on earth are siemen/intel competitions

<p>I'm interested in learning about what the Siemens Science Competitions (& Intel/others) are and how to go about entering/what the requirements are. From what I gather, you contact a professor in a field you are interested in and do research to eventually write a paper that is entered in a contest? I'm in my junior year right now- is it already too late to begin this?
These are the official deadlines I believe:
<a href="http://www.siemens-foundation.org/pool/siemens_competition/2013_highlights/2013_competition_calendar.pdf"&gt;http://www.siemens-foundation.org/pool/siemens_competition/2013_highlights/2013_competition_calendar.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>It seems that if I find a professor in time I might meet the deadlines okay? I have pretty good connections as far as those go. But more important- I really don't understand the process very well, would anyone care to elaborate on it for me? Thank you!</p>

<p>Also, I wasn't sure what forum to put this discussion in so if there was a better option, I apologize. </p>