Inside this issue

From the President...

2010 Sectional Officers ....................................... 9Call for Papers ..................................................... 9Science Across the CommonwealthThe View from CPE: Creating Kentucky’s Future

in Space .......................................................... 10Kentucky Space Recognized ............................. 11KAS Member Honored ...................................... 112010 Posters-at-the-Capitol ............................... 112009 Kentucky Society of Professional

Geologists Fall Conference ............................ 112010 Kentucky Science and Engineering Fair .. 12Kentucky Junior Academy of Science ............... 12

NewsletterJanuary 2010http://www.kyscience.org Susan Templeton, EditorThe Voice of Science

in KentuckyI am honored to represent the Kentucky Academy of Science as President this year. With 1,829 members,we are the largest organization in the Commonwealth serving social, behavioral, biological and physicalscientists, engineers and mathematicians. I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you some ofthe things that are going on in the state that I think are important to the future of science in theCommonwealth and therefore, important to the future of the Academy. I apologize to those who are alreadyinvolved in one or more of these initiatives and thus may be bored reading this but I will take that riskbecause I suspect there are many members who do not know but who will want to make their voices heardto help shape and support these initiatives. Academy members play an important role in strengtheningscience technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce development in theCommonwealth. Many of us are academics, directly involved in didactic and laboratory classroom teaching,others of us mentor in the workplace and participate in outreach to schools and community organizations.Our organization provided the opportunity for 120 high school students to present their work at the JuniorAcademy of Sciences last spring and for 213 undergraduates and 44 graduate students to present their workat our annual state wide meeting this fall. Our annual meeting at NKU this year was spectacular and I can'tpass up the opportunity to thank K. C. Russell and his local organizing committee for seamlessly hosting773 of us on November 13 and 14.

The Kentucky STEM taskforce, made up of educators, government representatives and those from privateenterprise, made a series of recommendations designed to increase the number of children choosing aneducation path resulting in a STEM degree. One important outcome is the revision of educational standardsrequired by Senate Bill 1. Senate Bill 1 calls for a revision of standards to be based on national andinternational benchmarks to increase the rigor and focus of K-12 content. The standards for mathematics arewell on their way to completion, the process for revising the science standards is just beginning.Postsecondary introductory course standard reviews are occurring simultaneously to ensure alignment. TheCouncil on Post Secondary Education (CPE) is overseeing the process and there is information on their website and a time line that includes opportunities for stakeholder input. Academy members who are employedby post secondary educational institutions can also provide input through their chief academic officers.

One way to increase the number of Kentuckians who choose STEM fields is to actively educate andencourage children about the opportunities they will have if they follow a STEM pathway. The STEM taskforce recognized that it will be important to expand hands-on, real life examples of STEM utility in thecurriculum. While the Academy provides support and encouragement to high school and college studentswho are already interested in STEM, I hope to communicate through the year about other ways academymembers are already involved and/or can become involved in working on the pipeline. If you have a story toshare, please submit it for inclusion in the next newsletter. Women continue to be underrepresented in mostSTEM fields. Academy members who are interested in this problem can get involved with the KentuckyGirls STEM collaborative, an organization that seeks to convince girls, their parents and teachers that STEMcareers are desirable, attainable and fun.

In addition to our members’ educational activities, our member scientists, mathematicians, and engineersimprove the quality of life in the Commonwealth through their research and development activities. Ten

Enhanced AffiliatesBellarmine UniversityBerea CollegeBrescia UniversityCentre CollegeEastern Kentucky UniversityKentucky Community &

Technical College SystemKentucky Science and

Technology CorporationKentucky State UniversityMorehead State UniversityMurray State UniversityNorthern Kentucky UniversitySpalding UniversityTransylvania UniversityUniversity of KentuckyUniversity of LouisvilleWestern Kentucky University

Patron - $5,000 levelLumins Associates

Fellow - $1,000 levelKBRIN (Kentucky

Biomedical ResearchInfrastructure Network)

Sustaining Member - $500 levelCampbellsville University

Member - $250 levelAsbury CollegeKentucky American Water

CompanyKentucky Wesleyan CollegeLindsey Wilson CollegePikeville CollegeThomas More CollegeUniversity of the CumberlandsWood Hudson Research

LaboratoryAssociate Member - $100 level

Hoffman EnvironmentalResearch Institute

Annual Meeting Report ....................................... 22009 Undergraduate Research Competition ........ 2Messages from the Executive Director ................ 3A Letter to the Editor ........................................... 32009 Superlative Award Winners ..................... 4-6KAS Research Funds Awarded ............................ 7Call for Nominations for Superlative Awards ...... 7KAS Governing Board Updates .......................... 82009 Graduate Research Competition ................. 8

Editor’s Note: When viewing theNewsletter in Acrobat Reader theTable of Contents (TOC) contains livelinks to each article; at the bottomright of each page is a link back tothe TOC!The KAS Newsletter is published inJanuary, May and August. Currentand archived issues are available athttp://www.kyscience.org. You maycontact the KAS Newsletter Editor atsusan.templeton@kysu.edu.

continued on page 8

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2009 Undergraduate Research Competition2009 Annual MeetingThe 95th meeting of the Kentucky Academy ofScience was held at Northern Kentucky Universityon November 13-14, 2009. The meeting was verywell attended with a total of 773 registered,including 492 students; the largest number in bothcategories ever at an Academy meeting.The meeting started on Friday evening with Dr.Margaret Hanson, Professor of Physics from theUniversity of Cincinnati, presenting an interestingtalk on open star custers in our galaxy. Prior to andfollowing the Symposium, the Haile DigitalPlanetarium provided planetarium shows.Saturday had a full day of presentations, bothpower point and poster, with the well-attendedafternoon Plenary Session being the finalpresentation. Dr. Graham Cooks, DistinguishedProfessor of Chemistry from Purdue University,presented a talk entitled on trace analysis by massspectrometry. The Kentucky Society ofProfessional Geologists held their 13th AnnualFall Conference in conjunction with the Academy.The meeting concluded with the Awards Banquet.Dr. Len Peters, Secretary of the Energy andEnvironment Cabinet, Commonwealth ofKentucky, was the featured speaker;hispresentation was on opportunities for engineers.The winners of the Superlative Awards, the URCsand GRCs are provided elsewhere in thisNewsletter.There were 203 oral presentations including 88URC and 44 GRC entries. There were 189 posterswith 125 entered in the URC. The total breakdownby section is as follows:

Oral PosterSection # URC GRC # URCAgricultural Sciences 23 6 4 14 8Anthropology &

Sociology 6 0 1 0 0Botany 7 1 0 4 3Cellular & Molecular

Biology 17 15 2 16 14Chemistry 22 10 12 44 30Computer & Information

Sciences 6 4 0 4 3Ecology & Environmental

Sciences 16 3 6 18 9Engineering 5 2 2 2 1Geography 8 0 0 0 0Geology 6 3 0 6 3Health Sciences 5 4 0 9 7Mathematics 12 3 0 1 0Microbiology 7 5 2 10 7Physics & Astronomy 15 7 0 9 6Physiology & Biochem. 12 10 1 13 9Psychology 16 11 5 19 14Science Education 6 1 0 5 2Zoology 14 3 9 15 9

From Dr. Robert Creek,KAS Program Director

Congratulations to the students who won awards. Congratulations also to their mentorsand a special thanks to those who devoted their time to judge the presentations.

Agricultural SciencesOral 1st: Jarred Earnest - AsburyOral 2nd: Stephanie Kortyka - BellarmineOral 3rd: Latoyah Elliott - KSUPoster 1st : Crystal Walker - U. K.Poster 2nd: Cecilia Albers - BereaPoster 3rd: Claice Esch - WKUAnthropology & SociologyOral 1st: Samantha Gambill - NKUOral 2nd: Jamie Cupp - NKUBotanyOral 1st: La’Quida Bowie - KSUPoster 1st: Sarah Roebker - BellarminePoster 2nd: Catherine Brumm - BellarmineCellular & Molecular BiologyOral 1st: Kayla Kinker - BereaOral 2nd: Kikshya Bastakoty - BereaOral 3rd: Bonnie McCullagh - WKUPoster 1st: Aric Johnson - WKU & Justin

Penticuff - TransylvaniaPoster 2nd: Osniel Gonzalez Ramos - NKUPoster 3rd: Alisha Holmberg - BereaPoster Hon. mention: Devin Rogers - U. K.ChemistryOral 1st: Anthony Haskamp - NKUOral 2nd: Dennis Ashford - NKUOral 3rd: Adam McCalllum - NKUPoster 1st: Aaron Swomley - NKUPoster 2nd: Eric Vanover - WKUPoster 3rd: Carmen Dibaya - BereaComputer & Information SciencesOral 1st: Joshua Bradley - MoreheadOral 2nd: Kimberly Hatcher - NKUOral 3rd: Christopher Estes - MoreheadPoster 1st: Malika Ahmed - WKUPoster 2nd: Alan Simmons - WKUPoster 3rd: Alexander Hare - WKUEcology & Environmental ScienceOral 1st: Tanner Yess - NKUOral 2nd: Kelly Thayer - U. of L.Poster 1st: Susan Brown - MoreheadPoster 2nd: Maranda Elswick - PikevillePoster 3rd: Aaron Hulsey - WKUEngineeringOral 1st: Anthony Karam - U. K.Oral 2nd: Brian Jennings - MurrayPoster: Deborah Hickman - TransylvaniaGeologyOral 1st: Tie - Christopher Robard & Tin

Nguyen - Murray; Kristin Leftwich -WKU

Poster 1st: Zach Mergenthal - NKUPoster 2nd: Katybeth Coode - NKUPoster 3rd: Tie - Michael Glassmeyer -

NKU; Jesse Amundsen - NKU

Health SciencesOral 1st: Kenton Sena - AsburyOral 2nd: Shakeeb Ahmad -BellarmineOral 3rd: De’Andra Robertson - KSUPoster 1st: Daniel Eschenbach - BellarminePoster 2nd: M. Elizabeth Deel - U. K.Poster 3rd: Daniel Schucter - NKUMathematicsOral 1st: Meredith Stevenson - MurrayOral 2nd: Amir Ahmadi - MoreheadOral 3rd: Tichaona Chiwandamira & Sara

Evans - BereaPoster 1st: Bradley Schneider - MoreheadMicrobiologyOral 1st: Tyler Elam - MoreheadOral 2nd: Crystal Thomas - BereaOral 3rd: Sarah Lance - AsburyPoster 1st: Elizabeth Shelley - NKUPoster 2nd: Emmanuel Davis - BereaPoster 3rd: Alexis Henry - NKUPhysics & AstronomyOral 1st: Benjamin Draper - BellarmineOral 2nd: Jimmy Rop - BereaOral 3rd: Mohammed Yusuf - BereaPoster 1st: Richard Jelsma - BellarminePoster 2nd: Tabitha Aldridge - MoreheadPoster 3rd: Mark Hageman - Thomas MorePhysiology & BiochemistryOral 1st: Emily Green - CentreOral 2nd: Andrew Crisologo - AsburyOral 3rd: Tie - Jordan Feigerie - Centre; Leah

Frazier - WKUPoster 1st: Jeff Marschall - U. of L.Poster 2nd: Cellestine Kamau-Cheggeh -NKUPoster 3rd: Stephanie Hayes - NKUPsychologyOral 1st: Emily Sither - CentreOral 2nd: Meredith Blankenship - NKUOral 3rd: Catherine Moonan - CentrePoster 1st: Tommy Carroll - AsburyPoster 2nd: Lauren May - MoreheadPoster 3rd: Tie - Bozhidar Bashkov - Berea;

Jeffrey Dobson - MoreheadScience EducationOral 1st: Stuart Kenderes - WKUOral 2nd: Jessica Carnes, Amy Jones, Chris

Yaluma - BereaPoster 1st: Laura Rihm - NKUPoster 2nd: Sarah Hamilton - NKUZoologyOral 1st: Joseph Marquardt - WKUOral 2nd: Jason Hall - WKUOral 3rd: Bethany Coffey - WKUPoster 1st: Patrick Stewart - WKUPoster 2nd: Ann Cooper - U. K.Poster 3rd: Tie - Amy Etherington -

Campbellsville; Adam Meador, NjineMouapi, Krystina Sandefur, Lee Ware -Berea

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Thank you to the 2009 KAS Annual Meeting Sponsors.Gold Level

American Synthetic Rubber CompanyEastern Kentucky University Graduate SchoolKentucky Society of Professional Geologists

Sud-Chemie, Inc.Bronze Level

Morehead State University Graduate ProgramsMarry State University Graduate Programs

In-KindNorthern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitor Bureau

I enjoyed seeing everyone at the 2009 Annual Meeting. Photogalleries of the meeting are now available on the KAS webpage.KAS continues to grow with our membership nearing the 2000mark thanks in part to our Enhanced Affiliate Program. If you everhave a questions regarding KAS or would like to share your talentswith KAS and become more active in our nearly century oldorganization please contact myself or any KAS Governing Boardmember.

Throughout the year I receive questions regarding KAS EnhancedMemberships and have composed a list of the most commonquestions.

How do I renew my enhanced KAS membership for 2010?If you are currently an enhanced member, you do NOT need toupdate your membership for the new year as this is completedautomatically when your institution renews their affiliation for2010. Please encourage your affiliation to continue their support ofKAS as an Enhanced Affiliate.

Why am I not receiving a hard copy of the JKAS? KAS Enhancedmembers receive an electronic subscription to the JKAS as part oftheir membership package. To access your electronic copy of theJournal log in as a member at the KAS website (http://www.kyscience.org). Click on Journal.

How do I receive a hard copy of the Journal?If you are a current Enhanced KAS Member and would like toreceive a hard copy of Volume 71 Numbers 1 and 2 please sendyour name, e-mail address, phone, and full mailing address with a$20 payment to:

Kentucky Academy of SciencePO Box 22579Lexington, KY 40522-2579

Can I update my membership profile information? Yes, Log intoyour KAS membership account and click "Update Your Profile" onyour profile page.

How do I join KAS as an enhanced member? Visitwww.kyscience.org, select Join, select Join and Pay Online (youwill not be asked to pay for membership), Select Yes to Enhancedand click submit, provide your school affiliated email address, andcomplete the registration process.

Who should I contact if I have questions regarding mymembership? Please contact Jeanne Harris, KAS ExecutiveDirector at executivedirector@kyscience.org, 859-227-283.

Jeanne Harris, Executive Director

Messages from the ExecutiveDirector

A Letter to the EditorState Representative Jim Gooch Jr., who co-chairs the KentuckyHouse Committee on Natural Resources and Environment, is alongstanding and vocal denier of human contributions to globalclimate change. In defense of legislation he recently introduced toforbid state or local governments from enacting or enforcing limitson CO2 emissions, Mr. Gooch was quoted in a Jan. 7 CourierJournal article as saying, "I do not think our scientists understandthe science of our planet."

As Kentucky scientists, it is tempting to dismiss Mr. Gooch withthe same lack of regard he has shown the scientific community.This would be a mistake. Past experience with science deniers inthe Commonwealth has taught us that disinformation leftunchallenged becomes ingrained in the public consciousness, withdisastrous consequences for our state and nation.

Instead, we should invite Mr. Gooch to share with us the source ofhis superior grasp of geophysics, and to show us where we wentwrong. This should be simple. Mr. Gooch need not resort totrolling for gossip among hacked personal e-mails of a fewresearchers at an East Anglia laboratory. All the relevant evidenceon climate change is freely available to him in the publishedscientific literature.

Mindful of our mission as "The Voice of Science in Kentucky,"KAS's public response should emphasize that unlike politics, thescientific process is entirely transparent. In each of the thousandsof climate studies that Mr. Gooch so casually dismisses, all themethods, experimental designs, instrumentation, data, and modesof analysis are written out in detail and presented for review andreplication by anyone who wants to take the time to master thediscipline and check the facts.

Though there is still much to learn, after extensive and criticalexamination of the wealth of available data, the internationalscientific community has reached a firm consensus that our currentrate of fossil fuel consumption is changing the world's climate. IfMr. Gooch would like to second-guess these findings, he iswelcome to read through all these research reports and to formulatea responsible counterclaim.

If this is his intent, Mr. Gooch has an obligation to identify whichof the vast body of published observations he can prove to bemistaken, which statistical analyses contain mathematical errors,which of the established principles of physics and chemistry needto be overturned. If Mr. Gooch has access to contradictoryatmospheric data, then he should publish his discoveries in a peer-reviewed journal. No one would be happier to examine hisrevolutionary findings than the career professionals who arededicated to the pursuit of objective scientific truth.

However, if Mr. Gooch cannot provide sufficient physical evidenceto contradict these conclusions, then he needs to apologize to allthe men and women of science who have spent decades in technicaltraining and long hours on the job taking measurements,confirming their accuracy, publishing their results, subjecting theirconclusions to rigorous review, and constantly improving ourcollective understanding of the world as it is.

Dr. Robert Kingsolver, Dean and DirectorCenter for Regional Environmental StudiesBellarmine UniversityLouisville, KY

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DISTINGUISHED COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY SCIENTIST

KAS President Robin Cooper (right)presented the award to Dr. Zijiang He of

the University of Louisville.

KAS President Robin Cooper (right)presented the award to Dr. Wimberly Royster.

Superlative Awards2009

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSIONAL SCIENTIST

Dr. Zijiang He, Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciencesat the University of Louisville, received a B.S. in Biophysics from the Universityof Science and Technology of China, an M.S. in Neurobiology from ShanghaiInstitute of Physiology and a Ph.D. in Physiological Optics & Neuroscience 1990from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. He also spent four years inpost-doctoral training in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University.He joined the faculty of the University of Louisville in 1994. His research hasfocused on how visual surface information is processed and how it impactsbinocular vision and space perception, has garnered over $3 million in extramuralfunding, and has resulted in the publication of 30 peer-reviewed journal articles,three book chapters, and a book on Vision Science in press. His papers have beenpublished in the top journals in his field, and, among visual researchers, he hashad an unprecedented five papers published in Nature. A colleague from BostonUniversity stated that "His research has been extremely innovative. He has madegroundbreaking findings in his field…has created trends that are followed bymany others." Dr. He has received many honors and awards including a SloanResearch Fellow Award (1995-1999) and the most prestigious Chinese NationalAward of Natural Sciences (silver) for research on Complex Image Transmissionand Feature Integration in the Visual System (1997) with C-Y Li, X Pei, and X-ZXue. Dr. He has given more than 30 invited lectures at academic institutes andscholarly workshops both nationally and internationally. Dr. He's DepartmentChair stated "He is a renowned scholar and scientist, a respected and popularprofessor, and a generous and caring colleague."

Dr. Wimberly Royster received his B.A. from Murray State University, M.A. andPh.D. from the University of Kentucky. He joined the faculty in the Departmentof Mathematics at UK in 1956, rose through the ranks, and moved intoadministration, serving as Dean of Graduate School, Coordinator for Research,Vice Chancellor for Research, and Vice President for Research and GraduateStudies before his retirement. He has been significantly involved in several state-wide initiatives, including serving as Principal Investigator, Appalachian RuralSystemic Initiative; Director, Kentucky Statewide EPSCoR Program; and Chair,Kentucky Statewide EPSCoR Committee. The current Kentucky EPSCoR directorcommented that Dr. Royster: "…was instrumental in laying the foundation andhas been a strong leader for Kentucky's EPSCoR program which has been thechannel for over $350 million in research funding to the Commonwealth'suniversities…During his tenure the Kentucky EPSCoR program grewdramatically and gained national recognition as a model EPSCoR state." Duringthis period, EPSCoR funding rose sevenfold and the Research Start-Up, ResearchEnhancement, and Collaborative Research Development programs were initiated.Dr. Royster has demonstrated strong commitment to STEM-related initiatives andenhancements to P-16 education in the Commonwealth, especially in theAppalachian region. He recently received a $22 million NSF (AMSP) award topromote student performance in mathematics and science for K-12 students in thestates of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. One of his letters of supportcommented, "Wimberly has established a reputation as being an outstandingleader through his actions as an advocate for STEM education and his motivation to implement change in the teaching and learning ofmathematics and science in our classrooms…." Dr. Royster also is Vice President for Scientific Research and Policy at the Kentucky Scienceand Technology Corporation and he serves on Kentucky's Council on Postsecondary Education STEM Taskforce.

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OUTSTANDING COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY TEACHER

OUTSTANDING ACADEMY SERVICE

KAS President Robin Cooper (right) presentedthe award to Dr. Kenneth Crawford of Western

Kentucky University.

KAS President Robin Cooper (right)presented the award to Mr. Charles E. Mason

of Morehead State University.

Mr. Charles E. Mason, Professor of Geology in the Department of PhysicalSciences at Morehead State University, received B.S. degrees in Geology andBiology from Morehead in 1975 and a M.S. degree in Geology from The GeorgeWashington University. Since joining the Morehead faculty in 1982, he has had75 publications, many with students as co-authors, and was awarded theDistinguished Researcher Award in 2003. He was recognized by the NASAHaughton-Mars Project in 2006 by the naming of "Charlie Mason's Rock", alarge ejecta block in Haughton Crater on Devon Island in the High Arctic ofCanada, in recognition of his continued commitment to Arctic research and hismentoring work with undergraduate students. His contributions to theunderstanding of the Mississippian ammonoid succession of Kentucky resultedin the naming of the genus Masonoceras in his honor. He routinely involvesstudents in his research, and "his students have been regular presenters at theannual meeting… often winning awards for their work." His letters ofnomination indicated that "Mason has directed dozens of undergraduate studentson their senior theses since it became a requirement for the B. S. degree inGeology at MSU. Additionally, almost every semester he works with severalseniors on special-problems projects-both without teaching-load reductions" and"Nearly every year…he has planned and directed travel-study trips…to most ofthe lower 48 states and four foreign countries." He has served as advisor to theMorehead State University Geological Society for the past 27 years. Commentsabout his teaching and research include "talented", "extremely productive","highly effective", and "committed to excellence". His colleague described himas "equally dedicated to both science and education, and extremely talented inboth. He serves as an outstanding role model of a 'teacher-scholar' for ourstudents and junior faculty alike".

Dr. Kenneth Crawford received his bachelor's and master's degree in Biologyfrom the State University of New York at Buffalo, and his Ph.D. in Biology fromthe University of Michigan. He joined the faculty at Western KentuckyUniversity in 1996, where he conducted research in the physiologicaladaptations of reptiles, especially turtle, leading to several grants, publications,and presentations. He has guided the research of numerous masters' students,advised many undergraduates, and last year served as Interim-Chair of theDepartment of Biology. Dr. Crawford has contributed to the Kentucky Academyof Science by serving as Secretary and Chairperson of the Biochemistry andPhysiology Section and Chair of the Local Arrangements Committee in 2003and 2010. Although these efforts are noteworthy, what truly distinguishes Ken ishis role as Treasurer of the Academy since 2001. When Ken took over the reinsas Treasurer, the newly established Richard Athey Fund was presentingsomething of a challenge. With Ken's insistence and help, a financial advisorwas employed to help keep the Academy within the laws governing non-profitorganizations, while establishing a fiscal plan that would allow for the financialgrowth of the assets. As stated in one of the letters of nomination, "because ofthe fiscally sound strategy implemented under Ken's watch, the academy hasweathered the economic downturn well and is poised to take advantage of therecovery". Dr. Crawford has stood for reelection twice since becoming Treasurerbecause "he knows the importance of continuity in the position of treasurer".The time he takes to reconcile the various accounts, pay the bills, prepare reportsfor the Governing Board, and deal with the IRS is time that has cost him bothpersonally and professionally. However, he has done this work for the bettermentof the Academy.

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OUTSTANDING SECONDARY SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHER

KAS President Robin Cooper (left)presented the award to Ms. Sharon Parker

of Gallitin County High School.

OUTSTANDING EARLY CAREER IN POST SECONDARY EDUCATION

KAS President Robin Cooper (right)presented the award to Dr. Mark Watson

of the University of Kentucky.

Dr. Mark Watson, Associate Professor of Chemistry at the University ofKentucky, received his B.S. in Polymer Science from University of SouthernMississippi, and his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Florida.He also completed a post-doc at Max-Planck Institute for Polymer ResearchMaterials Chemistry. He joined the Department of Chemistry at UK in 2003, andhas over 60 peer-reviewed publications, numerous presentations, several patents,and substantial grant support to his credit. His area of research includesmacromolecular, supramolecular, organofluorine, microwave-enhanced andenvironmental chemistry, organic semiconductors, and solar energy. The Chair ofhis Department found "…Prof. Watson's academic achievements to be trulyexceptional. At this early stage in his career, he has created a world-renownedresearch program on solar electronic devices, developed a new paradigm foreffective teaching, and has been actively engaged in community educationalactivities." A colleague from the University of Illinois indicates that he also tries"…to find the best ways to reach his students. Mark holds very high standards,and the students that come out of his classes are very well prepared for theirsubsequent studies." Prof. Watson incorporates active learning into his courseswith a focus on training students to develop problem-solving skills throughcourse-specific content and examples taken from the many uses of organicchemistry in real-world applications. His educational outreach involves workingwith the Explorium in Lexington, where he and his students lead interactiveexperiments one week each month with K-12 students. Again from his Chair:"Prof. Watson has recognized that young children are very excited by theopportunity to work with real laboratory equipment and to carry out theexperiments themselves, rather than just idly watching a demonstration. Prof.Watson is trying to address the problem that children need to be encouraged topursue science at an early age…"

Gallatin County High School teacher Ms. Sharon Parker received herB.S. degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from GeorgetownCollege, and earned a M.S. degree in Animal Science from the Universityof Kentucky and has achieved her Rank I standing. She has been teachingbiology, chemistry, and animal diversity at Gallatin County High Schoolsince 1986, and also teaches dual credit courses through the CommunityCollege in Carrollton. In letters from the Gallatin County Superintendentand Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Parker was described as"…an exceptional educator who reaches every student and goes aboveand beyond to insure his or her success". Ms Parker received the theRadio Shack National Teachers Award in 2002 and the Woodrow WilsonNational Foundation Institute for Environmental Science Teachers Awardin 2001. She was named Upward Bound Teacher of the Year and receivedthe Golden Apple Award in 1996. A fellow teacher described herclassroom achievements as follows: "To watch her interact with studentsis truly inspiring. She doesn't just teach, she makes students WANT to betaught." As an example of her extra effort, "over the past eleven years shehas taken her Advanced Biology students on a Marine Biology trip to theFlorida Keys. During their week-long visit they attend a Marine Biologysea camp, visit the Everglades National Park, take several snorkel trips tolocal coral reefs, and visit the Dry Tortugas/Fort Jefferson National Park".One letter-writer said: "Her contributions to the youth of Gallatin Countyhave been innumerable and the effects will last a lifetime." The summarycomment from the Superintendent of Schools sums up Sharon Parker'squalifications for this was when she said: "She is the total package anddefinition of what it truly means to have the title 'Teacher'."

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Call for Nominations for Superlative AwardsThe Kentucky Academy of Science seeks nominations ofindividuals who have made outstanding contributions toscientific research and education in the Commonwealth in the sixareas designated below.

• Outstanding Academy Service: The recipient shall havebeen a long-time member of the Kentucky Academy ofScience and shall have made a significant contribution to thegrowth and development of the Academy.

• Distinguished College/University Scientist: The recipientshall have made some significant contribution to academicresearch in Kentucky.

• Outstanding College/University Teacher: The recipientshall have made some significant contribution primarily toscience teaching but also to research at the college/universitylevel in Kentucky.

• Outstanding Early Career in Post Secondary Education:The recipient shall have made some significant contributionsin teaching and research and hold the rank of Assistant orAssociate Professor on the faculty of a Kentucky PostSecondary Education Institution.

• Outstanding Secondary School Science Teacher: Therecipient shall have made some significant contribution to theteaching of science at the middle and high school level inKentucky.

• Distinguished Professional Scientist (in a non-academicposition): The recipient shall have made some significantcontribution to science in Kentucky.

Nomination packets for all awards should include anabbreviated curriculum vitae (5 pages or less) containinginformation pertinent to the award, a list of publications, andletters of recommendation from at least three but not more thanfive professional colleagues well acquainted with thecandidate’s qualifications for the award. In addition:

• Outstanding Academy Service Award nomination packetsshould include documentation of special contribution tothe Academy.

• Outstanding Secondary School and College/UniversityTeacher awards nomination packets should includedocumentation of special accomplishment as a teacher ofscience, especially measures of student success,participation in student development beyond theclassroom, and science curriculum development. Lettersof recommendation for secondary school teachers mayalso come from an administrator or supervisor, a teachingcolleague, a student, or a parent.

April 15, 2010, is the deadline for nominations. Allnominations and supporting materials should be sent inelectronic format; e-mail attachments must be in MS Wordformat. Send to:

Dr. Dawn J. AndersonDepartment of BiologyBerea CollegeCPO 1683Berea, KY 40404dawn_anderson@berea.edu

Dr. George Antonious, Chair of the KAS Committee on theDistribution of Research Funds, presented the committee’s grantrecommendations at the January KAS Board Meeting. TheCommittee members (Dr. Antonious, Ky State University; Dr.Nathan Tice, Eastern Ky University; Dr. David Thompson,Northern Ky University; Dr. Rebekah Waikel, Eastern KyUniversity; Dr. Gary Ritchison, Eastern Ky University; Dr. RickyCox, Murray State University; and Dr. Ilson White, Morehead StateUniversity) reviewed eighteen grant proposals between theNovember 15th submision deadline and December 20th, so thattheir recommendations could be finalized by the January Boardmeeting. Their efforts are deeply appreciated. The Board approvedthe following grants.

Special Research ProgramGrantee: Melissa Burns-Cusato, Centre CollegeAmount: $5,000Project Title: The aging process: Analyses of aging from a

cellular, systemic, and behavioral perspective

Undergraduate/Graduate Research ProgramGrantee: Nina Marijanovic, Centre CollegeAmount: $500Project Title: The effects of touch and note on tipping behavior

in restaurants

KAS Research Funds Awarded Grantee: La'Quida Bowie, Kentucky State UniversityAmount: $3,000Project Title: Somatic embryogenesis induction of needle palm

(Rhapidophyllum hystrix)

Grantee: Emily Gregory, Centre CollegeAmount: $500Project Title: Parent-offspring recognition in Japanese quail

Marcia Athey FundGrantee: David Brown, Eastern Ky UniversityAmount: $1,527.95Project Title: Land snail species diversity among different forest

disturbance regimes in central and easternKentucky forests

Grantee: Andrea Drayer & Robert Bragg/Stephen Richter,Eastern Ky University

Amount: $1,200Project Title: Amphibian use of artificial ponds: Success

measured by fitness and community compositionover time

Botany FundGrantee: Robert Scheff/Tyler Smith, Eastern Ky UniversityAmount: $920.99Project Title: Assessing the development of late-successional

structural heterogeneity in older second-growthforests of the Cumberland plateau of EasternKentucky, U.S. A.

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2009 Graduate ResearchCompetition

Congratulations to the students who won award, and to theirmentors. A special thanks to those who devoted their time tojudge the presentations.

The Nominations and Elections Committee, chaired by SeanReilley, congratulates those who were elected to office andexpresses sincere appreciation to all those willing to serve theAcademy by allowing their names to be placed intonomination.

Newly-elected Board Members:Vice President Dawn Anderson (Berea College)Biological Sciences Rep. Ronald Jones (Eastern)At-Large Rep. Mary Janssen (Madisonville Community and

Technical College)

Continuing Board Members:President Nancy Martin (Uof L)President Elect Barbara Ramey (Eastern)Past PresidentRobin Cooper (UK)Secretary Robert Kingsolver (Bellarmine)Treasurer Ken Crawford (Western)Biological Sciences Rep. Richard Durtsche (Northern)Physical Sciences Rep. Eric Jerde (Morehead)Physical Sciences Rep. KC Russell (Northern)Social & Behavioral Sci. Rep. Judy Voelker (Northern)Social & Behavioral Sci. Rep. Sean Reilley (Morehead)At-Large Rep. Cheryl Davis (Western)

Ex-officio Board Members:Executive Director Jeanne HarrisJunior Academy of Science Director Ruth Beattie (UK)Program Coordinator Robert Creek (Eastern)Journal Editor David White (Murray)Webpage Editor Claire Rinehart (Western)Newsletter Editor Susan Templeton (Kentucky State)Executive Secretary Emeritus Don Frasier (UK)

Retiring Board Members:Past President John Mateja (Murray)At-Large Rep. George Antonious (Kentucky State)Biological Sciences Rep. Sean O'Keefe (Morehead)

The retiring board members were recognized for their service toKAS by President Robin Cooper at the Kentucky Academy ofScience Annual Business Meeting on November 14, 2009.

KAS Governing Board Updates

Agricultural Sciences1st: Diana Edlin - WKU2nd: Jahnavir Kanchala - WKU3rd: Robert Tokosh - Murray StateAnthropology & SociologyCheryl Pan - U.K.Cellular & Molecular Biology1st: Jivan Yewle - U.K.2nd: Shravya Maddi - WKUChemistry1st: Marsh Loth - U.K.2nd: Meng Zhong - U.K.3rd: Mahendra Kumar - U.KEcology & Environmental Science1st: Mark Penick - WKU2nd: Danielle Racke - WKU3rd: Margaret Mahan - WKUEngineering1st: Twyman Clements - U.K.2nd: Marc Beck - U.of L.3rd: Sanjeev Adhikari - Morehead StateMicrobiology1st: Ali Wright - WKUPhysiology & Biochemistry1st: Chia-Hui Lin - WKUPsychology1st: Jacquelyn Lile - Morehead State2nd: Nicolette Lowe - Morehead State3rd: Nicholas Rudd - Morehead StateZoology1st: Bethany Westrick - EKU2nd: Piyumika Suriyampola - U.of L3rd: Grayson Patton - EKUGriffith Memorial Graduate Award in Psychology1st: Jacquelyn Lile - Morehead State2nd: Nicolette Lowe - Morehead State3rd: Nicholas Rudd - Morehead State

From the President... continuedyears ago a collaborative effort involving 14 state, private, andfederal organizations created a State Strategy for Science andTechnology (S&T). Development of the plan was funded by the KYExperimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research(EPSCoR) and the plan was published by the Kentucky Science andTechnology Corporation. This plan led to the passage of House Bill572 which established the 2000 Kentucky Innovation Act (KIA) thatled to investments in new research initiatives, economicdevelopment, and technology transfer programs. It created theKentucky Science and Engineering Foundation (KSEF) and theKentucky Enterprise Fund (KEF) that in turn have increasedKentucky's infrastructure for scientific advancement, the quality ofKentucky's research, and Kentucky's financial support to

technology-based start-up companies. It is time to update that planand as the process unfolds KAS members should be involved in theeffort. Some may say that in these economic times there are fewresources and this is not the time for updating a plan calling forinvestment in S&T. I think that tough economic times make it moreimportant to have a sound S&T plan for Kentucky because a strongS&T infrastructure is the way to create a strong economy in thefuture. And so I end where I began, as the largest organization in theCommonwealth serving scientists, mathematicians and engineers,the Academy is an important part of the S&T infrastructure andwhat we do to strengthen S&T in Kentucky will, in turn, strengthenthe Academy.

Nancy Martin

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SECTION CHAIRPERSON SECRETARY

Agricultural Sciences Karen Friley Stephen A. Kingkaren.friley@kysu.edu Stephen.king2@wku.edu

Anthropology & Sociology Cheryl Pan Changzheng Wangcherylpan@hotmail.com changzheng.wang@kysu.edu

Botany Lawrence Alice Nilesh Sharmalawrence.alice@wku.edu nilesh.sharma@wku.edu

Cellular & Molecular Biology Joseph Mester Rajalingam Dakshinamurthymesterj1@nku.edu rajlingam.dakshinamurthy@wku.edu

Chemistry Rui Zhang Bruce Brananrui.zhang@wku.edu bbranan@asbury.edu

Computer & Information Sciences Jerzy W. Jaromczyk Eric Rouchkajurek@cs.uky.edu eric.rouchka@louisville.edu

Ecology & Environmental Science Albert Meier Rick Boycealbert.meier@wku.edu boycer@nku.edu

Engineering Sanjeev Adhikari Sally Krijestoracs.adhikari@moreheadstate.edu s.krijestor@moreheadstate.edu

Geography Christine McMichael Glenn Campbellc.mcmichael@moreheadstate.edu glenn.campbell@eku.edu

Geology Michael T. May Thomas Brackmanmichael.may@wku.edu brackmant1@nku.edu

Health Sciences Avinash Tope Lingyu Huangavinash.tope@kysu.edu lingyu.huang@kysu.edu

Mathematics Doug Chatham Mark Robinsond.chatham@moreheadstate.edu mark.robinson@wku.edu

Microbiology Bill Staddon Janelle Harebill.staddon@eku.edu jm.hare@moreheadstate.edu

Physics & Astronomy Akhtar Mahmood Art Palloneamahmood@bellarmine.edu art.pallone@murraystate.edu

Physiology & Biochemistry Michael Fultz Stephanie Dewm.fultz@moreheadstate.edu stephanie.dew@centre.edu

Psychology Brian Cusato Katie Ann Skogsbergb.cusato@centre.edu katieann.skogsberg@centre.eku

Science Education Wilson Gonzales-Espada Brent Eldridgew.gonzalez-espada@moreheadstate.edu brent.eldridge@kctcs.edu

Zoology Sherry Harrell Jose P. do Amaralsherry.harrel@eku.edu pedro.amaral@wku.edu

2010 Sectional Officers

Call For PapersThe Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science, now in its 71styear, is published through Allen Press each spring and fall and isabstracted through BioOne. The Journal publishes peer reviewedarticles from all disciplines within the Academy. Turnaround timeusually is six months or less, and page charges ($35/page) arevery reasonable. The Journal accepts regular articles (12-20manuscript pages), scientific notes (2-5 pages), and will acceptLetters to the Editor. The Journal also seeks series of manuscriptsthat result from special workshops or conferences. In these cases,

a special editor may be appointed. All manuscripts should besent to:

David White, Editor J-KAS Hancock Biological Station 561 Emma Drive Murray KY 42072

Instructions for authors can be found at the KAS websitehttp://www.kyscience.org. Please call 270-474-2272 or e-mailthe editor (david.white@murraystate.edu) for moreinformation.

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Science Across the CommonwealthThe View from CPE: CREATING KENTUCKY'S FUTURE IN SPACEContributing authors: Kris Kimel, President Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation; Wayne Hall, Kentucky Space Director ofCommunications /Social Media

Thanks in part to Kentucky investments in the knowledge-basedeconomy, the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation ismastering the collaborative environment for innovation throughscience and engineering. By engaging engineering faculty andstudents in Kentucky's postsecondary institutions during the pastfew years, the Kentucky Space initiative has launched rockets andballoons, all with architecture developed by Kentucky studentswith faculty advisors who are creating Kentucky's future in space.

Pictured at right is the 21-metertracking antenna as viewed fromthe ground control room at thebrand new Morehead StateUniversity Space Sciences Center;the inset shows a close up of thedish. One of only a handful ofundergraduate centers devotedsolely to the space sciences, theCenter is a remarkable investmentin the future of Kentucky.

The new facilities host an enormous anechoic chamber and severallarge clean rooms that are nearing completion, a digital star theaterproviding tours of the universe that incorporate the latestastronomical data (a must see), classroom, meeting and fabricatingfacilities too numerous to mention, and ample room for all to grow.

A wide range of astronautical engineering and instruction can beaccomplished here, and indeed, The Center has already attractedvisitors needing specialized solutions for small spacecraft.

The Center is also part of Kentucky Space an exciting initiativebegun in Kentucky just four years ago. Kentucky Space is a non-profit enterprise involving a consortium of universities* and publicand private organizations to design and lead entrepreneurial andeducational projects through near space, sub-orbital and orbitalmissions and most recently through work on the InternationalSpace Station (ISS).

Beginning with an effort to build and fly a standardized 10-centimeter picosatellite called a CubeSat, Kentucky Space hassince expanded rapidly in its brief existence.

Recently, it has taken advantage of the Congressional designationof a portion of the International Space Station as a "nationallaboratory" to embark on an effort that will involve conductingR&D on the ISS. Working in cooperation with its partner,NanoRacks, LLC, based in Houston, Kentucky Space has helpedengineer and fabricate a new research platform that will host up-to16 micro-sized research R&D environments that it calls"CubeLabs."

The NanoRack-CubeLab tandem will provide scarce real estateindeed - bench space on the ISS - so that a variety of scientificpursuits might be conducted, and at affordable prices that smallerorganizations and companies can afford.

The first NanoRack has been shipped to Cape Kennedy in Florida,and, along with the first two CubeLabs, is currently listed on themanifest for STS-131, a March 2010 Shuttle flight to the ISS. Onceeverything has checked-out, this modular laboratory will be placedinto service. By the time you read this, the second Nanorack willhave been built and delivered to Florida. Alone, this would bewonderful achievement. But the program has been aggressivelybuilding human capital and growing. In addition to the brightyoung minds who have worked to build CubeSats and CubeLabsthe program has enticed the inventor of the CubeSat system, formerStanford Professor Bob Twiggs to Morehead State University. It'sfair to say that few people in a similar circumstance would make asimilar move, but Professor Twiggs has repeatedly cited the visionand educational focus of Kentucky Space as a motivator. And for a"satellite guy," a nimble 21-meter dish located on a nearbymountain within view of the control center of the Space SciencesCenter doesn't hurt either. From his office in Morehead, ProfessorTwiggs will undoubtedly contribute much to the Consortium.

The moment is right.

Since it burst on the scene with the orbiting of the first crudesatellites, space exploration has proved beneficial, spinning-offlaboratory and consumer technologies that are able to withstandextreme heat, small sensors now used in airbags and video gamecontrollers, and air purification technologies that can kill pathogensand preserve food. Each of these, and many other spin-offtechnologies, are directly attributable to basic scientific researchneeded in order to survive in the harsh vacuum of space.

Space exploration is no longer the exclusive domain of nations andgovernments. It's entrepreneurs and private enterprise working incooperation with NASA that will help chart the future course ofspace exploration.

It's new terrain, but not one without precedent in Kentucky'shistory. Thanks to the vision, commitment andthe business skill ofa handful of people, an entirely new Kentucky-basedentrepreneurial industry might be emerging. One that can design,fabricate, test and fly the technologies that will bring tangibleresults on Earth, and train the young people that will be a credit tothe commonwealth, wherever they may wander.

In the waning days of the 18th century, explorers sent word overthe Cumberland Gap and up and down the Ohio river about thefrontier we call Kentucky,

In the 21st century, Kentucky is again home to those exploring anew land.

*Kentucky Space Consortium members include: University ofKentucky/Morehead State University/University of Louisville/Murray State University/Western Kentucky University/KentuckyCommunity and Technical College System/Kentucky Space GrantConsortium/Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education/Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation/Belcan/KentuckyScience and Technology Corporation (Managing Partner).

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The 2009 Kentucky Society of Professional Geologists (KSPG) FallConference was held in conjunction with the 95th Annual Meetingof the Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) hosted by NorthernKentucky University. The organization's founding year was 1997and its purpose is to support and promote the Kentucky's programof professional registration for geologists. The conference began onFriday evening with a selection of events and the annual KSPGBusiness Meeting. Talks and posters were given by geologyprofessionals and students Saturday morning. The Saturdayafternoon field trip emphasized aspects of engineering geology andgeohazards associated with the area’s Upper Ordovician bedrockand overlying Pleistocene deposits. At the combined KAS/KSPGbanquet Saturday evening, the Society’s Distinguished CareerAward was presented for only the second time ever. The recipientwas Dr. John D. Kiefer.

Dr Kiefer retired in June 2009 from the position of Assistant StateGeologist at the Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) after a 30-yearcareer with them. KGS is an independent state agency housed onthe UK Campus in Lexington. Prior to joining the KGS, Dr. Kieferhad worked for the Geological Survey of Alabama and had teachingexperience at two universities. His area of expertise is engineeringgeology and geohazards.Over the course of his career, he has dealtwith landslide issues across Kentucky, helped develop the solidwaste management plan for the Commonwealth, was a member ofthe State's water management task force, and worked extensivelywith state legislators in the shaping of public policy.In fact, Dr.Kiefer was honored earlier this year by a special proclamation

KSPG Executive Committee Member Dr.Ken Kuehn (left) presented the Distinguished

Career Award to Dr. John Kiefer.

2009 Kentucky Society of Professional Geologists Fall Conferenceapproved by the Kentucky Senate and delivered by Lexington, KYMayor Jim Newberry in recognition of his service to the citizens ofthe Commonwealth. Dr. Kiefer is a member of numerousprofessional societies including the Geological Society of Americawhere he helped create a new division for Geology and PublicPublicy, the Association of Engineering Geologists, the NationalSociety of Professional Engineers, the KY Society of ProfessionalEngineers, and, of course, the KSPG.

KAS Member Honored

In the December 1, 2009, Congressional Record, Congressman BenChandler congratulated Kentucky Space on opening doors to “...endless opportunities for research in technologies ranging fromnew medical treatments and equipment to alternative clean energy.”He noted “These technologies will create jobs and can improvequality of life as well as save lives.”

In 2009, Dr. Charles Covell, ProfessorEmeritus of Biology at the University ofLouisville, was voted an Honorary LifeMember of the Lepidopterists Society,an organization for those who studybutterflies and moths. Covell has been amember of this organization since 1951,and has held several offices over theyears, including the office of Presidentin 1983.

At present Dr. Covell is Curator ofLepidoptera at the McGuire Center forLepidoptera & Biodiversity at theUniversity of Florida, Gainesville,where he moved in 2004.

2010 Posters-at-the-CapitolPosters-at-the-Capitol 2010 will be heldon Thursday, January 28, 2010, 9:00a.m. through 3:30 p.m. at the CapitolBuilding in Frankfort. Posters-at-the-Capitol, an event hosted collaborativelyby the Commonwealth’s publicinstitutions, is intended to help membersof Kentucky’s legislature and theGovernor better understand theimportance of involving undergraduatesin research, scholarly, and creative work.

More information regarding Posters-at-the-Capitol, an activityschedule, and abstracts of the 120 submitted posters are includedin the 2010 Program Booklet that can be found at this website:

http://campus.murraystate.edu/services/URSA/Posters_2010.html.

From John Mateja, Director, Undergraduate Research andScholarly Activity Office, Murray State University

The Kentucky Legislature convened in regularsession January 5 and will be in session for 60days. You can have access to timely informationconcerning the 2010 Kentucky Legislature byvisiting the Kentucky Legislature Home Page.

http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/

Kentucky Space Recognized

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Kentucky JuniorAcademy of Science

2010 Kentucky Science andEngineering Fair (KY-SEF)

Eastern Kentucky University will host the eighth annual KentuckyScience and Engineering Fair (KY-SEF) for middle school andhigh school students Saturday, April 3, 2010. This event willfeature the work of more than 200 students who have advancedthrough local and regional competitions across the Commonwealth.They will compete for trophies, ribbons, university and privatescholarships, and special awards from corporations andorganizations. The high school students will compete for thechance to represent the Commonwealth at the Intel InternationalScience and Engineering Fair in San Jose, CA, in May.

Competition is held in 18 categories:Animal SciencesBehavioral and Social SciencesBiochemistryCellular & Molecular BiologyChemistryComputer ScienceEarth ScienceEngineering (Materials & Bioengineering)Engineering (Electrical & Mechanical)Energy and TransportationEnvironmental ManagementEnvironmental SciencesMathematical SciencesMedicine and Health SciencesMicrobiologyPhysics and AstronomyPlant SciencesTeam Projects

This event represents an exciting milestone for the science andtechnical education community in Kentucky. The Fair's mission isto expand educational opportunities for all middle and high schoolstudents and to enhance the visibility and importance of scienceand engineering in Kentucky by providing annual statewidecompetitions that support, encourage and recognize studentexcellence in science and engineering research. The Fair also givesthe public a chance to see the quality of science being done inKentucky middle and high schools and to showcase what thestudents are capable of doing.

The Kentucky Academy of Science has been a loyal supporter ofKY-SEF by providing both financial support and judges each year.The commitment of KAS members to this event is very importantand the organizers of the fair hope that they can rely on yourcontinued support. A call for judges will be sent by e-mail near theend of January. Please consider judging and playing a veryrewarding role in the academic development of our next generationof scientists.

So put Saturday, April 3, on your calendar and sign up to be a judgewhen notification comes your way! As with all non-profitendeavors this year, KY-SEF is looking for financial sponsors. Ifany KAS member knows of a corporation or other group thatwould like to become involved with this worthy activity, pleasecontact Barbara Ramey or Bob Creek (barbara.ramey@eku.edu orrobertcreek@bellsouth.net).

The 2010 Annual Meeting of the Kentucky Junior Academy ofScience will be held on Saturday 17th April (8.30am - 5pm), 2010in the T. H. Morgan Building on the campus of the University ofKentucky, Lexington, KY.

Any Kentucky high school or middle school student may presenthis or her research findings at the Kentucky Junior Academy ofSciences Annual Meeting. To register for the meeting, a teacher,supervisor or principal from your school must return to theDirector of KJAS, the requisite membership form and fee, abstracts(instructions attached), and papers for all students entering fromyour school. All forms, abstracts, papers and checks from theschool must be submitted to KJAS by March 26th, 2010. Latesubmissions WILL NOT be accepted.

The Junior Academy was begun over fifty years ago to foster aninterest in science for high school students in Kentucky. KJAS hasexpanded over the years to include middle school students.Members of the Junior Academy present the results of theirprojects each spring at the KJAS annual meeting. Preliminary oralpresentations (10 minutes) are conducted during the morningsessions. The winners of the morning sessions make presentationsin the afternoon finalist sessions. Four overall winners are selectedand these students represent Kentucky at the National AmericanJunior Academies of Sciences (AmJAS) meeting held in Februarythe following year. The Kentucky Academy of Science will provideneeds-based funding for these students to attend this meeting, up toa limit of $1000.00 per person. Needs-based funding will also beavailable for chaperones, up to a limit of $1000/person.

The AmJAS convention meets in conjunction with AAAS, theAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science. As theworld's largest general science organization and publisher ofScience, AAAS has more than 138,000 members and 275 affiliatedsocieties. One very important aim and purpose of the AAAS is toreach out to young scientists in middle school and high school. Itrecognizes that these young people are its future.

Checklist for presenting at the meeting:

Paper Submission FormMembership Form and feeAbstract (hard copy only)2 hard copies of word-processed Research Paper

Additional information and parking directions will be mailed onreceipt of above materials. All forms and instructions can bedownloaded from the KJAS webpage.

http://www.kyacademyofscience.org/members/jkas.html

Mail to: Dr. Ruth E. Beattie, Director, KJAS, Dept. of Biology,University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, rebeat1@uky.edu,859-257-7647 by March 26, 2010.

Attention KAS Members: Judges are needed forthe KJAS Spring Symposium. Please contactrebeat1@email.uky.edu to volunteer. Thanks.