Getting Started with an Idea

Questions related to finding and working with a mentor, finding an idea, etc.

Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, bfinio, MadelineB, Moderators

Locked
ScienceBuddiesStudent123
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 2:23 pm
Occupation: Student

Getting Started with an Idea

Post by ScienceBuddiesStudent123 »

Hi,

To give some background about myself, I am a sophomore student who has taken Honors Biology and am currently taken Honors Chemistry and have scored and A+ in both classes. I am currently doing Science Olympiad outside of school as well.
I am really interested in doing research and entering science competitions like Intel ISEF, but I am really confused about where to start and how to go about doing this. I am so used to doing outlined coursework and readings, so I feel like I lack the necessary creativity required for such a project and I feel kind of lost. I know that I have a passion for biology and chemistry, yet I feel stuck. Below is a list of some questions that I have.

1) What is the best way in which students identify problems? (Do they watch the news, read research papers, etc.)

2) How do the students come up with a solution to the problem and how do they know if their solution is viable (whether it is too complex or too simple)?

3) A lot of students who do these science fairs have a lot of assistance from their parents. However, my parents don't have a scientific background. What are some good ways to find mentors?

4) Do students come up with ideas and then go find a mentor, or do they work in a research lab first and then come up with ideas?

Thank you so much for helping me out.
MadelineB
Moderator
Posts: 907
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 4:42 pm
Occupation: Biostatistician/Data Scientist
Project Question: Interested in volunteering as an expert
Project Due Date: n/a
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Getting Started with an Idea

Post by MadelineB »

Hello and welcome to Science Buddies,

You are asking some very good questions! Fortunately, Science Buddies has a lot of resources which will help you find answers to your questions ...

How to find a problem? You can start by browsing the Science Buddies database of project ideas. You can look at all of them or you could pick certain topics or select the level of difficulty:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... llprojects

Then you might find the Science Buddies Project Guides helpful:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ience-fair

How to know if the solution is viable?
Each project has already been tested, so you know the solution exist. Read through the different sections (background, materials, procedure) to see if you think the level of difficulty matches your skills. Look through the various topics in the Advanced Project Guides, for example:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ce-project

How to find a mentor?
Check out this section in the Advanced Project Guides:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... tem-mentor

I hope these resources are helpful! And let us know if you have more questions!
Locked

Return to “Getting Started”