It’s summertime, and that means Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky students, including two students from Corbin, are ready to go, engaging in STEM opportunities, study abroad, and other academic pursuits.
“I always look forward to the summer, because I love to see the interesting work our students take part in,” said Cheryl Kirby-Stokes, Academic Opportunities Coordinator at The Gatton Academy. “Our students take advantage of every prospect, whether that be research, study abroad, or other STEM and non-STEM opportunities.”
Established in 2007, The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science, which is located at Western Kentucky University (WKU), is Kentucky’s first residential two-year program for gifted and talented juniors and seniors. The Gatton Academy’s students enroll as juniors and are full-time WKU students pursuing their interests in advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Students will complete their junior and senior years of high school living in Florence Schneider Hall. At the end of their two-year course of study, students will graduate from high school with a minimum of 60 college credit hours.
Gatton Research Internship Grant
In its 14th year, the Gatton Research Internship Grant program creates summer research opportunities for rising seniors. The grants provide stipends, living expenses, and a small supplies fund for projects at WKU.
A total of 20 students were chosen for Summer 2023, conducting research at WKU and other institutions across the country, including Tyler Clifton, who will graduate Corbin High School as part of the Class of 2024.
Clifton will be investigating how neuron-glia interaction is disrupted following a mild traumatic brain injury with Dr. Adam Bachstetter of the University of Kentucky’s College of Medicine.
Clifton will also be taking part in the Study Abroad in England program.
The Gatton Academy is partnering with Harlaxton College in Grantham, England for the 11th year to offer a three-week study abroad program focused on British Literature. Clifton will be taking the course with Dr. Dawn Hall and Dr. Ted Hovet of WKU’s Department of English.
Other notable individual experiences
Class of 2023 Corbin High School graduate Joaquin Pauig will be shadowing Dr. Jarold J. Pauig at The M
