WHY RESEARCH?
For an ordinary high school student, the word “research” is most likely foreign. As I conversed with my peers it was apparent that they, too, found the subject of research to be a daunting subject, if not overwhelming. Initially, I felt that research was reserved for those who had professional degrees or worked in reputable institutions such as research groups at college or medical facilities developing a vaccine. However, after getting a chance to work with Stephen Wolfram, an inaugural fellow of the American Mathematical Society and the founder and CEO of Wolfram Research, I realized the power and beauty of research. I was captivated by the ability to share my findings with scientists in the research community and make changes to the world around me, whether it be my direct community or the whole world.
Though I had already demonstrated my commitment to education through my academic work, it was through being awarded 1st place in a hackathon and 2nd place in the Illinois regional math competition when my perceived notions reached a turning point. These awards proved as affirmations in which I felt I had enough experience and understanding to pursue topics of my own interest. Having gained confidence through these achievements, I sought to further my passions within the field of research by joining a research group at school. This group delved into doing research on cosmic rays, mostly muon detection, alongside a network of over 200 schools world-wide. Through such events, I gained insight to the possibilities of well-conducted research as well as my own desire to pursue STEM related disciplines.
A key development in my pursuit of research was my experience at the Wolfram summer camp of 2019. Here, I got to work with various members of the Wolfram Team, including Stephen Wolfram himself. With his help and feedback on my work, I was able to successfully finish my traffic simulation research project, in which I calculated the efficiencies of various types of intersections and traffic flows. It was through Stephen Wolfram’s camp that I was able to correct my previous assumptions about research; I found the process of it to be an engrossing experience, challenging me and teaching me new things along the way.
As a curious high school student with a decent amount of time in his hands, I can easily say that conducting research is one of my favorite things to do in my free time. Having been through most of high school and meeting hundreds of diverse students, I can’t say I have met many who are passionate about research. This is something that I hope to change, as conducting my own research has provided me with essential skills and experiences that I wouldn’t have obtained otherwise. My goal with my science blog was to make this information and my passion for science accessible to younger people: peers of my age, friends in school, and other prospective college students with interests that mirror my own. By publishing scientific research that I’ve personally conducted, I hope to inspire not only other students and learners, but a greater audience in hopes that they can follow in my footsteps.