<p>Yeah so like on these chance threads, the majority say “research” on their own or with a professor. I have a few questions about this. How did a teenager come up with the idea of conducting scientific research? Second, where would they find funds and materials to do this? Third, do they really come up with new theories and findings? In other words, does their research have any impact? Is this truly fun? Yeah this shows passion for learning, but I can’t imagine doing research for FUN. Thanks for any discussion about this topic because I am at a loss for though for some strange reason. No offense to anyone. Happy discussing! :)</p>
<p>“How did a teenager come up with the idea of conducting scientific research?”</p>
<p>By copying people on CC</p>
<p>“Second, where would they find funds and materials to do this?”</p>
<p>Their parents, or they ask a professor if they can do research</p>
<p>“Third, do they really come up with new theories and findings?”</p>
<p>No, their mentors do. The kids just get their name put on the paper. </p>
<p>“Is this truly fun?”</p>
<p>Could be</p>
<p>Now I may sound biased by what I’ve said above, but I have actually conducted “research” myself, and I regret thinking that it’ll do crap for college admissions (although I learned some interesting stuff) because nowadays, everyone and their dog has done some kind of “research” during their high school careers. It’s becoming a cliche, just like paying thousands of dollars to build houses in a 3rd world country is.</p>
<p>You know what is cool? Getting a whole bunch of your friends that are artist, musicians, writers and programmers and making a game from scratch. Then, perhaps, publish it on xbox live arcade or android market. IMHO, that trumps “research” that high school students “do” (we all know they are just taking notes for the real researchers and cleaning).</p>
<p>^have you made a game with the collaboration of your peers? That would be freaking amazing.</p>
<p>I have not, but I plan on doing it during this school year. I opted to make a 3D Image Generator that uses an IR Rangefinder my Sophomore year. But these two seniors chose to collaborate for their final project and made a 2d adventure game (very similar to Legend of Zelda). Personally, I found that rather “silly” cause it was a video game for pete’s sake. Well, Here I am as a Senior, I want to make a game now. (trust me, I have plenty of experience to accomplish my goal… as long as my teacher does not force me to focus on robotics)</p>
<p>My friends asked me last year if I wanted to join their team to make a game like I said, but we never got around doing anything…</p>
<p>honestly, </p>
<p>most people that do that, think that doing it will help them get into college…</p>
<p>Which is partly true,
because
- That professor is a recommendation waiting to happen
- Because no normal teenage does research on their free time, that really is impressive</p>
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<p>“Most people” do not do research. However, for those that do, it’s usually a significant factor in college admissions if they go far in science competitions (ISEF, etc) or get published in a major paper.</p>
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<p>You really think so? Look at any “chances” thread to top 30 schools and I’m 90% positive that it’ll have some sort of “research” in the EC section.</p>
<p>Research is so overrated these days, and the time spent doing research could be spent doing much more interesting things, like the one davidthefat wants to do.</p>
<p>However, there are probably kids out there who actually conduct their own research instead of being the professor’s test tube cleaner while getting a recommendation/co-author in a paper anyway. But I bet those kids are few. Props to them though.</p>