Are High School Students Exploring Advanced Topics on Their Own?

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High school students are encouraged to explore advanced physics and math topics beyond their classroom curriculum. Many participants share their experiences of self-directed learning, emphasizing the importance of finding enjoyable subjects to study. Resources like university libraries and specialized textbooks are highlighted as valuable tools for deeper understanding. Engaging with academic journals is considered more beneficial than traditional textbook problems. The discussion also touches on the idea of pursuing personal interests in science, with examples like working on Exoplanet Transit Light Curves mentioned as a form of independent research. Overall, the emphasis is on curiosity-driven learning and the pursuit of knowledge outside formal education.
MadAtom
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[for high school students] surely I'm not talking about real research, but I just want to know if you try to solve advanced (physics or maths) problems or if you dedicate some time to study things that are not taught at class. And by "study" I don't mean HSW or popular science books (don't get me wrong, I'm not despising those sources of knowledge!).

If yes, how did you started? which topics do you explore? I found this Gerard 't Hooft website (http://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~hooft101/theorist.html), but it's too much stuff and I'm going to university soon. I just want to get in a topic so I can... speculate... practice... have fun!
 
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I'd spend a Saturday and/or Sunday at the city public library or university library, or do problems from textbooks that I'd buy at a technical book store or university book store. During my undergrad years, I frequently bought extra textbooks for upper level or grad school courses.
 
reading journals is far more useful than doing textbook problems.
 
Finding out what you like is important. If it is "easy" (aka enjoyable) to read the articles, you are in the right place. If a certain topic excites you, read more about it.

Think about the biggest question you can and see where that leads you.
 
sorry for replying late, internet connection issues... Ok but you guys just follow (or used to) the program of your teacher or try to learn more advanced things by yourself? Not just for feeding your curiosity. More seriously.
 
MadAtom said:
sorry for replying late, internet connection issues... Ok but you guys just follow (or used to) the program of your teacher or try to learn more advanced things by yourself? Not just for feeding your curiosity. More seriously.

While I'm not in high school anymore, and I don't attend college at the moment, I do learn a lot about science on my own and have done Exoplanet Transit Light Curves myself. I don't know if you'd call that research, but it's something I'd say.
 
Drakkith said:
I don't know if you'd call that research, but it's something I'd say.

It is more then what I do.
 

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