<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>Right now, I've been basically planning my summer around the following things. However, one of them I'm worried is going to not become part of my activities:</p>
<p>Internship at Fermilab*
Two summer classes (Spanish III and Speech)
Pit Orchestra for Community Musical
College Visits
Ireland Trip (for choir, first week of June)
Marching Band (End of summer, August)</p>
<p>I starred the first thing on that list because I'm getting really worried that it won't actually happen. I submitted my application for it at the end of last month. I'm pretty sure that there will be a lot of other applicants, and many will probably be more qualified than I am (I really haven't been given very many opportunities having to do with STEM; there are really no clubs at school, and to be honest, the classes aren't always very intensive and don't teach me very much that would be related to the internship). I'm doing all that I can to teach myself at home. I'm still holding out, because I'm would REALLY love to be part of this internship opportunity and learn more about science and technology, but I also would like to keep options open in case I don't even get called for an interview.</p>
<p>What have you all done to become more involved with science, math, technology, etc. over the summer? Even if I don't get the internship, I want to find some way to do more with STEM fields. </p>
<p>I love STEM! I have some friends that shadowed a scientist at a nearby university over the summer in preparation of their science fair project. (They had to learn proper cell culture, I believe.) Even if you aren’t able to shadow a scientist, you should definitely consider getting a head start on a science fair project while you’ve got the time. That’s what I’m planning to do! Also, there are a lot of summer programs at colleges that are STEM-based, but they look kind of expensive.</p>
<p>I agree, the programs at colleges tend to be expensive. What do you do science fair projects for? Like I said, my school has very little in terms of extra curricular science. I’d be very interested in being part of a science fair if I knew where to look! I realize many of them may be local, but just a general place to start looking would be helpful!</p>
<p>For the Intel ISEF Fair, there is generally three levels: regional, state, and international. Your school may have an experimental science class or group, but it sounds like it doesn’t. I would suggest talking to a science teacher or the guidance counselor to see if you’d be able to submit a project for next year’s regional fair in your area. They should know more about your area.
<a href=“https://www.societyforscience.org/intel-international-science-and-engineering-fair”>https://www.societyforscience.org/intel-international-science-and-engineering-fair</a>
That’s more about the International level. I’ve never gone, I only got to Regionals. But this is generally the science fair that most people think of, there are others that would be more local. There’s also the Siemens Science Fair and the Google Science fair, but I don’t know much about those.</p>
<p>I really like the idea of science fairs, because it really brings out potential. A couple years ago, the winner at the international level developed a paper-based test for pancreatic cancer. Isn’t that awesome? I’ve done a project on how paired collaboration effects ethical opinions, but like I said, I only went to regionals.</p>
<p>I only had a little time to look at some of the project ideas just now, and it’s amazing what some of these students come up with! How do they even manage to find materials to accomplish all of this? Regardless, this seems like something that’s very interesting. I’ll look into it more later on, but whatever idea I come up with, it will have to be pretty unique it seems like! I appreciate the information!</p>
<p>I’ve went to science fair state twice (both in mid school) and loved the experience. However, it does take a considerable amount of time and effort and if your goal is to make ISEF, you NEED to start in the summer (or earlier). </p>
<p>@rkepp12
I know right? A lot of materials, I would assume, come from building connections with university professors or other researchers. Good luck with finding a project idea! I would try to base it on something that interests you. The sponsors for Science fair at my school say to try to find a real world application. And avoid Science Buddies. </p>
<p>Also, you should keep all of your research, planning, etc. in a composition notebook. It really helps with organization, especially when it comes to jotting down ideas for your project, or research to look back at. </p>
<p>@DigitalKing
I know what you mean about the time. I wish that I started my project for this year a lot earlier, because I ended up only getting to regionals. For next year, though, I already started looking into my project idea. </p>
<p>Wow, I’ll need to start thinking soon then! People with the connections obviously have an advantage, but I’ll find something to do, I’m sure. I noticed that they have a math category on the website, so maybe I’ll try for that! (I love math; science and math are pretty equal for me). Thanks so much for the suggestion!</p>
<p>I wonder how state science fair is. I’m going for the first time next week. Anyways, over the summer I’m taking Algebra 2, golf and tennis lessons, doing community service and taking drivers ed</p>
<p>State science fair is an awesome experience. @tigerman333 you’ll enjoy it. </p>
<p>@DigitalKing cool. Btw, whatever state do you live in because I’m going to niu for science fair</p>
<p>Not where you live! Ours was a few weeks ago. </p>
<p>@DigitalKing what was your project about?</p>
<p>One was about the energy capabilities of various organic compounds (I.e. Oils) (pretty boring project). The other was about building a robot that could autonomously cover every location in a given area (I.e. Like a autonomous lawn mower or ice rink resurfacer). Worked on the second with a friend. Both projects got silver medals at state. </p>
<p>Had a decent idea this year, but gave up after some potential mentors turned me down. I’ll try harder to find one next year. </p>
<p>Very interesting. I’ve always thought building robots would fun to do, but I’ve never had the ability to learn at all.</p>
<p>Does anybody have any other suggestions regarding what to do for this summer? I’ll probably try and find something to do for science fair, but if anyone has other ideas I’d love to hear them. I just got word from the place I applied to today that I wasn’t selected to be an intern, so now I really would like to find something to do. The science fair would be fun, but I really don’t have anywhere I could go in terms of finding a mentor.</p>
<p>You could always consider taking an online class over the summer. It could boost up you GPA and you’d be able to learn more about a STEM subject that interests you. I know people that have taken Microbiology online. I don’t know if you have the option to take online classes for free, but you could ask your guidance counselor. </p>
<p>I was thinking about that, actually. The only problem is that I’m pretty sure my school will not pay for any outside classes I take. Any classes I take will have to be paid for by me and my family. Since I’m already taking a Spanish course at my local CC, that would be a lot of money. Although I think it would be interesting to learn about programming or mechanics, since I’d like to go into mechanical engineering at some point.</p>
<p>Not mention my school has weird policies about taking outside classes, and I’m not sure taking them now would be the best option when going to university.</p>