I assume that since you’ve come to this
page you’re a) interested in scientific research and b) stuck somewhere in the research part. I was once
in your shoes, an inexperienced young scientist looking for the formula that was going to tell me exactly
how to develop a science project. Well, I’ve got some good news and some bad news. Good news is, I found a
formula that works. Bad news is that it took me a long time to find it, and I’m still
working on it. But from what I have discovered so far, I will share some things with you.
The first thing is, researching is not an easy process.
It takes a lot of work to go from research to experiments to documentation. So why bother? Well,
completing something like this provides a sense of fulfillment. Watching your project go from an idea
to a feasible result is like watching a beautiful caterpillar emerging from an unsightly cocoon.
All the centuries of scientific exploration are laid before you, and you have the ability to be
the next Einstein. But with better hair.
Second, succeeding in any field of science and engineering
does not rely on “making good grades”
(remember Einstein made C's in math) or knowing everything there is to know about science. It’s all
part of the learning process. That’s what researching is for. To get you acquainted with the field
of science you’re working in. You don’t need a PhD for that, you just need patience and a deeply-set
curiosity.
Third, be creative with your subject. Experiment with
different concepts and ideas. Don’t think that you’re limited in any way. You have the freedom to
analyze in whatever fashion you choose. The more innovative, the better.
Fourth, realize that there’s still a lot the human race
doesn’t know about. We’re still looking for possibilities and searching for answers to many, many questions.
Who knows, maybe you’ll find the cure for cancer or the formula for the most efficient clean-burning fuel.
Look at the problems around you. Try to find something that you’d like to try to research. Believe me,
once you start looking you’ll realize just how much there is out there waiting for you.
Lastly, just remember you can do anything if you put
your mind to it. There are no boundaries or limitations. You will be the next generation to create the
wonderful things we all dream about when we image the future.
