Academy Students, Alumni Honored at KAS Conference

Gatton Academy students and alumni were honored for their research at the 2010 Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) Annual Meeting. WKU hosted the  conference Nov. 12-13.

The group’s 96^th annual meeting broke a record with 775 registered attendees. This year’s meeting focused on Careers in Science — what students need to know to be prepared and how faculty can help with the preparation.

Dr. Cheryl Davis, a WKU biology professor, was elected vice president of the Kentucky Academy of Science.

Derick Strode, the Academy’s coordinator for research, internships, and scholarships, explained that Academy students shared their findings alongside other undergraduate students, graduate students, and professionals from across the Commonwealth.

“These students have taken on the additional challenge of research out of their passion for mathematics and science,” Strode noted. “To be honored among the best undergraduate scientists in the state of Kentucky is a true compliment to the level of commitment and hard work that these young students put forth in their research projects.”

Research, Strode explained, is a central component of the Gatton Academy experience.  In all, three-out-of-every-four Academy students participate in a sponsored research project.  Students are encouraged to share their findings at student and professional conferences.

“By sharing their research work at academic conferences and meetings such as the Kentucky Academy of Sciences, our students have a chance not only to share their findings  but they also get to see and learn from other students and professional scientists from around the state,” Strode said. “These meetings give our students a chance to see the larger world of science and mathematics research and make valuable connections in the state’s STEM community.”

The following Gatton Academy students received awards for their paper and poster presentations:

2010 Undergraduate Paper Presentation Competition

• Agricultural Sciences: Clarice Esch of Somerset, third
• Ecology and Environmental Science: Victoria Gilkison of Lawrenceburg, second;
• Geography: David Evans of London, England, first; Lee Campbell of Paducah, second
• Mathematics: Anthony Bombik of Louisville, second; Justine Missik of Danville, third
• Physics and Astronomy: John M. Wilson (Academy alumnus) of Hickman, third

For more information, contact Derick Strode at (270) 745-6565.

annual conference, Derick Strode, KAS, Kentucky Academy of Science, poster sessions, presentations, research, state conference, WKU