So I finally managed to get in touch with a professor after about 40 emails. He said that we could schedule a meeting to discuss in further detail, but I just wanted to ask for some tips on what to say at the meeting and how not to be nervous. Thanks!

So I continued to email researchers (about 35 emails rn) and have even switched to emailing people at my local universities rather than those from t20 universities. However, the problem is that though there are a lot of people in the department, (chemistry) almost none of them at the small universities have done anything like my research. I even asked my chemistry teacher and she said that she didn't know what I was really trying to do. And then at the larger universities, the research that I am looking for is more prevalent and quite similar to what I am considering. I have already reached out to some of these esteemed professors but have only gotten mostly ignored and rejected once. So I'm wondering, should I continue to email people at local universities or should I switch to emailing the researchers at the more prestigious universities? Also just for context, I used Rishab's guide and have personalized the emails to the best of my ability for each professor.

I emailed some professors and got a reply back saying that working with minors requires them to complete crazy amounts of paperwork. Also the opinion of many academics on reddit agrees with this saying that accepting a high school student would be more of a liability and hinderance rather than an asset. Is this actually true for those who have gotten accepted by a professor? Also is it better to cold email professors/companies or to join a structured research program (one that usually costs money).

Hi I'm Shashank and I am doing a science fair project in nanotechnology/material science , specifically with MXene based energy storage. I need a lab for my project because it involves testing the finished product with cyclic voltammetry, Galvanostatic charge discharge, and Electrochemical Impedance spectroscopy. How can I find a lab? I already emailed like 10 professors and some local companies in the industry but I haven't gotten responses. Also, should I only email people who are close to me or would it also be possible to contact professors who are further away? How many more emails should I send to get a response?