Sixteen students from The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science at Western Kentucky University (WKU), including Corbin’s Daniel Thelen, presented their research in Frankfort at the Kentucky Junior Academy of Science (KJAS) meeting, which is held in tandem with the Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) Annual Meeting.
Fifty students from across the state of Kentucky presented their research through KJAS, and 11 were chosen as delegates for the 2025 American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) conference held in Boston, Massachusetts, in February. Eight of those 11 students who will represent the Commonwealth at AJAS are from The Gatton Academy:
Thelen (’25, Corbin High School) presented “Quantitative Analysis of Geochemistry and Flow Dynamics in the Great Onyx Groundwater Basin, Mammoth Cave National Park” in geology. Thelen is mentored by Lee Ann Bledsoe, Associate Director of the Crawford Hydrology Lab at WKU.
“The Kentucky Academy of Science, the Kentucky Junior Academy of Science, and Kentucky State University created a fantastic environment for our students to present their research, network with current and future scientists, and create memories that will last a lifetime,” said Sam Earls, Assistant Director of Academic Services at The Gatton Academy. “The Gatton Academy is grateful to Amanda Fuller, Melony Stambaugh, Noel Novelo, and everyone else who made this wonderful opportunity possible for our students.”
Established in 1914, the Kentucky Academy of Science brings scientists from across Kentucky together to share research and exchange ideas while also empowering scientists to share their work in their communities. KAS awards research grants and recognizes outstanding science education and outreach provided by its 4,000 plus members across the Commonwealth.
Established in 2007, The Gatton Academy 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.
The Gatton Academy is a recipient of the 2022 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from Insight Into Diversity Magazine and the Innovation Partnership Award from the National Consortium for Secondary STEM Schools.
