Slashdot Mirror
Summer Research Programs?
aantn writes "I'm currently looking for a science-related summer program. I'm an 11th grade Israeli high school student interested in computer science and robotics. I have a high GPA and take afternoon classes in computer science and mathematics at Israel's Open University. I have several years of experience with C, Python, C#, and Java. I'm actively involved in several open source and freelance projects. Through a program at my school, I will be entering Trinity College's Fire Fighting Robot contest later this year. I enjoy writing and liberal arts, but I'm not interested in a "Learn to Program" or any other "Learn to ______" summer program. I'm looking for something that will be academically challenging and research-oriented. My top choice would be a university research program in either computer science or robotics, but I'm also looking at other science-oriented programs. Does anyone have suggestions for such programs? I'm mostly looking in Israel and the United States, but I'd love to hear about programs in other countries which accept international students. If it's relevant, I have a US citizenship."
I don't know how it is in Israel, but when I was in high school here in the US, I just e-mailed a bunch of professors around the city who were doing interesting work, until I found one willing to take me on as a lab assistant, and I did research there for the rest of my time in high school. I worked for free for a while, but it eventually turned into a nice part-time job (as well as a great activity to put on college apps). My high school even had a program that got me credit for doing it, so that's something you may want to look into. With your strong background, you shouldn't have a hard time finding a lab willing to take you (scientists love cheap/free labor).
I recommend Google Summer of Code. Check out the 2008 projects: http://code.google.com/soc/2008/
Seriously, are we all supposed to congratulate you because you're so involved in computer stuff while being "only" grade 11? And you want something that will be academically challenging and research-oriented? And you have dual citizenship? Whoa!
Even more seriously, please take a break from all the computer and robot stuff. You get enough of that every day by the sounds of it. You need to take the summer off to travel, see new things out there in the world, volunteer in the community, make some friends, meet some girls. You know, the real stuff that will get you ahead in life. Computers and robots will be there for you for the rest of your life, whether you still love them or not, but your friends, youth, health and curiosity may not be.
http://www.lanl.gov/education/precollege/
Los Alamos (where I work) is always interested in having bright students (of any level, high school and beyond) come and work here. My particular group hosted a high school student last summer. I'm sure the other national labs have similar programs. Just snoop around the website (this might be a place to start for ideas: http://www.lanl.gov/education/profiles/index.shtml), email people who are doing cool things, and you might be surprised at the opportunities that open up.