<p>I know this is probably way too late, but I'd like to find something to do this summer academically, perhaps research wise in the Sciences or Maths. </p>
<p>I know most of the "formal" programs closed weeks ago, but can I still find things to do? I don't want to get paid, I'd like to do it on a volunteer basis.</p>
<p>My question is - where/how? Can I just try to contact professors at local colleges/universities asking if anything is available?</p>
<p>What else can I do? Or is it ultimately too late?</p>
<p>Please help.</p>
<p>I've read things about contacting local professors at Universities and asking them to be a "mentor". How would I ask them? Would I just send them a letter saying the following?:</p>
<p>"Hello, my name is Name Name, and I am a rising senior at Blank High School in Blankville, NJ. </p>
<p>I discovered that you were the head of the Science Department at Blank University, and felt compelled to email you. I am
deeply interested in all fields of Science and Math, and have a passion for learning and gaining knowledge in these fields.
I would absolutely love to work in these fields later in life, and feel like I should gain some first-hand experience if the
opportunity is available to me.</p>
<p>I am curious to see if you are free during the summer, and perhaps would mentor me and show me the life of
working in the fields of Science and performing research. I would love to observe your research this summer and help, since
this would help me gain knowledge which I cannot find from books or other media. I am free all summer and have an extremely
flexible schedule. </p>
<p>Please let me know if this is a possibility, becuase it is an opportunity I would take in an instant. Thank you very much
for your time. I look forward to your reply."</p>
<p>I wrote that really quick, but you get the jist. Would I do something like that? Would they find it odd?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Well, I did send emails to random professors at several universities, but they don't seem to care about what a mere highschooler has to say. Maybe going to their office in person would be a better strategy.</p>