[Action plan] Regeneron Science Talent Search, where to begin
If science is your thing, you love it, and have a project that you have committed to long-term, you might want to consider participating in the Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS) – one of the most prestigious science competitions for high schoolers in the United States. With prestige comes competition. This is one of the most challenging science competitions you can consider entering, but it also means if you do it right the results will be invaluable.
A student seriously looking at Regeneron is going to be looking at over a year of commitment and will usually use Regeneron to showcase the culmination of multiple years of research. The time from application open to final presentation is one year, with some big milestones along the way.
Regeneron is not something you prepare for just to get a boost on your college application. Many of the finalists hold patents or go on to advance the research they’ve started as pioneers. However, as incredible as the finalists and winners of Regeneron are, they all begin with a plan that makes sense. The application opens June 1 and is due in November, but if you are approved, you will have a few more months to polish your writeup.
So where do you begin? Take a look at our action plan below to start mapping out your journey.
June
Research and gather information on the topic. Read articles, books, and scientific papers to gain a thorough understanding of the subject.
Take notes and organize the information gathered into categories.
July
Narrow down the focus of the project and develop a hypothesis.
Create an outline for the project.
Identify the materials and resources needed to conduct experiments.
August
Conduct experiments and collect data to test the hypothesis.
Record observations and measurements in a lab notebook.
Analyze the data using statistical methods.
September
Continue conducting experiments and collecting data.
Compare the results with previous research on the topic.
Draw preliminary conclusions.
October
Finalize the experiments and data collection.
Analyze the data and draw final conclusions.
Begin writing the first draft of the project report.
November
Write the first draft of the project report. Make sure to include an introduction, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion sections.
Ask a teacher or mentor for feedback on the first draft.
Revise and edit the project report based on feedback received.
The Regeneron Science Talent Search application deadline falls in mid-November.
December
Finalize the project report and create visual aids (e.g., graphs, charts) to support the findings.
Proofread the project report for errors and clarity.
Submit the project report to Regeneron according to their guidelines.
January
Practice presenting the project to an audience. Ask friends or family members to listen and provide feedback.
Revise and improve the presentation based on feedback received.
February
Continue practicing presenting the project to an audience.
Prepare answers to potential questions that may be asked by Regeneron.
March-May
Prepare for any follow-up questions or presentations that may be required by Regeneron.
Review and revise the presentation as needed.
It’s important to not get stuck. There are lots of resources you can use for help – parents, consultants, internet, and siblings. We find that a lot of students need extra help with brainstorming in the early stages and then for submission and presentation. Make sure to research what you can and book a session with us if you need more advice.
