<p>Ok, so I'm getting serious about entering ISEF next year and trying to go as far as I can. I have some basic ideas, and I'm in the process of brainstorming, but I have no idea where to start. All the high level/winning projects seem like they involved a lot of money and very complicated processes. Do all of these kids start with these incredibly complicated ideas on their own, and just start experimenting, or do the kids have a basic idea, and find a mentor who nurtures it quite a but? Where do I start first, and how do I get to the point where I am experimenting? Where does the money and mentorship come from? Where do I find a lab?!? Past this, how does the actual competition work? Do I start at some local ISEF affiliate and move up until I hopefully reach the big final competition? How much is my experiment modified in between now and then? The logistics of this all is making my head spin. Any help would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Also a shameless bump for good measure.</p>