Professors don't do much of the actual research work themselves. They are the ideas person, giving their grad students direction, and applying to grants to fund them.

So, what will probably happen is that they will direct you to one of their students, if they think you can give him a hand on his project.

Are you looking for a summer internship kind of thing?

Anyways, just wanted to give you a heads up. Do go ahead and ask! And if one prof isn't interested, ask another one. All profs are quite different. If you know someone in the department (grad or undergrad student), you could ask them for suggestions as to which prof would be open to having a HS level intern.