Any ways to get involved with research during Covid?
Are there any ways I can get involved with research during covid-19 so that I can boost my application? Would it be feasible to still volunteer at labs? I'm a rising senior by the way.
1 answer
Personally, I have done independent research, and it is probably the safest option as of the present moment. Depending on where you live and what sort of independent research you are doing, you can enter into competitions about your research. (Linked Here is one such example: https://sustainability.asu.edu/sustainabilitysolutions/programs/solutionsfestival/sustainabilityfair/). Right now, it is not feasible to volunteer at many labs due to the fact that there is a global pandemic going on, and many professors are unlikely to take requests for research assistance. Independent research is the likely way to go.
^
how do you go about pursuing independent research?
Here is a helpful link: https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/the-basics/
thank you so much! do you have a mentor? if so, how did you reach out to them in the beginning?
I did not have a mentor, but I reviewed my research with a local professor. Here was the email i sent:
"Dear []
My name is []. I am an incoming junior at [] High School in [], California. I would like to ask for your help in reviewing a project I am working on as part of my school science fair project, and helping guide me through the next steps that I should take.
Currently, I am working on []
I am linking a pdf to the research report that holds the findings from the initial stages of my research. If possible, could you review my research, and send back any advice or changes that I would need
thank you so so much! this is very helpful but also so overwhelming! 😰 i’m leaning towards social science research so hopefully that will be easier to conduct from home! did you get your project approved by an IRB?
I got mine approved by the regional board for my competition. As of right now, these have been canceled in some places, but you should check in your area. For instance, I know that the Santa Clara STEM Fair and the Sacramento STEM Fairs in California are still up and running. You'll likely have to fill out some consent forms.
Note that you probably can't enter the ASU competition... it is just there to show an example of the types of competitions you can do. Additionally, some colleges like Harvey Mudd allow you to submit abstracts relating to your previous research.