Starting a high school science research project can be exciting—but it’s also easy to fall into common traps that can limit your progress. From picking a project that’s too ambitious, to overlooking ethical approvals, to underestimating how much time real research takes, these pitfalls can derail even the most enthusiastic young scientist. By focusing on realistic goals, finding mentorship, and building strong habits of rigor and documentation, students can turn their curiosity into meaningful discoveries. At Science Research Academy, we guide students through this process so they can avoid common mistakes and build research experiences that truly prepare them for college and beyond.

Here are some of the basic steps that you need to take if you would like to begin your journey into independent scientific research while still in middle or high school.