<p>^^ I don’t think anyone was “glibly” saying" just do it". Everyone knows the roadblocks involved in trying to get a research internship and trying to get published, competing in major science fair competitions or doing the AMC, AMRL or the Olympiads. But somehow kids do it. You are right about how difficult it is to get most regular public HS’s to support STEM activities. We experienced it firsthand as well. That is why my daughter had to do her work without much if any help from her school.</p>