Doing research with a professor, etc.

differential
Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:01:51 +0000

Yes I can name several grand prize winners who have spent several years on their project. Also I wouldn’t take these competitions too seriously, especially ISEF is very easy to sneak by and nab at least 2nd - 3rd place in your category.

I think you are making a big mistake in equating your science class lab with real research. Lets say you or your professor poses a good question. Now you do some initial work, think about it, and figure out the next step. This isn’t like school where you have a clearly defined question, know the procedure to get there, and have an expectation of what you’re going to get. Many times the frustrating part of research is sitting half way through with no idea how to proceed. So what do you do? You think about it, discuss it with other people, talk to your mentor, etc.

Also I find it funny that you would understand it all for a science lab in your class. I have never understood it all for any lab I’ve done. If you think you understand it all, it is a clear indicator that there is a lot of deeper science you don’t even know about yet.