Suggested Fields of Research for High School Student

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a high school student accepted into a competitive three-year scientific research program, seeking guidance on selecting a research field. The student has a background in Biology and Physical Science, with plans to take AP Calculus and Computational Physics. The conversation emphasizes the importance of aligning research topics with available college resources and faculty expertise, as independent project work may be limited by the student's current knowledge base.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic Biology concepts
  • Familiarity with Physical Science principles (chemistry, physics, Earth science)
  • Knowledge of AP Calculus and Computational Physics
  • Awareness of scientific research publication processes
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore current trends in scientific research fields such as Astrophysics or Environmental Science
  • Research local colleges' faculty expertise and ongoing projects
  • Investigate the publication requirements for scientific journals and magazines
  • Learn about collaborative research methodologies in high school settings
USEFUL FOR

High school students interested in scientific research, educators guiding students in research projects, and college faculty looking to mentor young researchers.

SketchyLamb
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I got accepted into a fairly competitive three-year program at my high school where we work with local colleges on scientific research and I need to choose what to do within the next couple of months. We publish our findings with several science organizations/magazines, so I want to pick a field that still has many scientists working in it.

I have taken Biology and our school's mandatory freshman Physical Science class (1/3 chemistry, 1/3 physics, 1/3 Earth science), and I'm taking AP Calc/Comp Physics next year. I've read several popular science books by Stephen Hawking, Michio Kaku, etc. but I know that those sort of books are more catered to laypeople.

Thank you!
 
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I can't imagine you've got all that many choices. You'll have to work on your project with someone at the college, which means you're pretty much restricted to what they work on and what resources they can offer you. While you might be able to pick your own topic, if you don't have the background to work in the field mostly on your own, you won't get anywhere.
 

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