Gatton Academy Students Take on AJAS in Boston

Every year, Gatton Academy students bring their passion for research to the Kentucky Junior Academy of Science (KJAS). This year, sixteen of us presented our research, and eight were chosen to represent Kentucky at the American Junior Academy of Sciences (AJAS) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The Gatton students selected were Aanyaa Arora, Asa Ashley, Ava Blackledge, Katie Issacs, Varshith Kotagiri, Youngwoo Kim, Sydney Putnam, and Daniel Thelen.

The AJAS event took place in Boston, Massachusetts, alongside the AAAS Annual Meeting. It wasn’t a competition, but a chance to collaborate, connect, and learn from students and scientists from across the country.

Our trip started with a welcome event at MIT, where we met the other Kentucky delegates. We heard inspiring talks, including one from Professor Catherine Drennan, who shared how she turned her dyslexia into her superpower. Her story set the tone for the rest of the trip—embracing challenges and finding strength in what makes us unique.

The next day was all about exploring Boston’s incredible academic offerings. Gatton students were given the opportunity to tour either Harvard, MIT, or Northeastern.

• At Harvard, we got a behind-the-scenes look at labs, learned about opportunities for undergrads, and even saw the famous glass flowers exhibit at the museum.
• Each campus had something unique to offer, giving us a glimpse of what it’s like to study at some of the best schools in the world.

That night, all AJAS delegates were recognized at the AAAS Plenary Session—a surreal moment for all of us.

The next morning, we started the day in the most incredible way: breakfast with Nobel laureates and renowned scientists. We chatted with Dr. Robert Weinberg, a cancer research pioneer, and Dr. Gary Ruvkun, who just won the 2024 Nobel Prize for discovering microRNAs. Hearing about their journeys and advice was inspiring and truly unforgettable.

One of the highlights of the trip was presenting our research at the AAAS meeting. It was amazing—and a little nerve-wracking—to share our work alongside some of the world’s most brilliant scientists. We also learned how to pitch our research using the ABT (And, But, Therefore) format, a simple but powerful way to keep an audience hooked.

Between riding the metro, meeting new friends, and diving into research, AJAS is easily one of the best experiences I have had at Gatton. It wasn’t just about research; it was about growing, learning, and being inspired.