Kentucky Junior Academy of Science






Join us at Kentucky State University November 1&2

Participants will have a chance to tour the KSU Aquaculture Research facility and meet scientists.  You'll also get to see research presentations in all different STEM disciplines, and students can even present their own research if they submit an abstract by the Oct 1 deadline.

Registration for the Kentucky Junior Academy of Science is free for K-12 Teachers, Middle School and High School students.

Register here

The Kentucky Junior Academy is part of the Kentucky Academy of Science Annual Meeting

The Kentucky Academy of Science selects  high school delegates each year to represent Kentucky at the American Junior Academy of Science.

The 2025 American Junior Academy of Science Meeting will be Feb 13-15 in Boston MA in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Here's how we select Kentucky's 2025 Junior Academy delegates

Junior Academy presenters:  All students will need to upload a waiver signed by a parent or guardian when submitting your abstract.
If you are a HS student submitting an abstract to present an oral presentation, you will also need to upload a consent form signed by your High School when submitting your abstract.


2024 Kentucky Junior Academy Delegates to the American Junior Academy of Science

KY District 2

Carden, Mykah. Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science. "Geological and hydrogeological 'red flags' that influence land-use hazards in karst: a case study in Warren County, KY"

Ashley, Asa. Bowling Green High School. "Novel Synthesis of Maghemite Nanospheres on Nickel Foam as a Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Alkaline Water Splitting"

KY District 4

Nath, Sara. Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science. "Classifying Alzheimer's Disease Outcome in Single-Cell RNA-Seq Datasets"

Sileo, Sofia. Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science. "Characterization of a bacteriophage protein that is toxic to Mycobacterium smegmatis"

Black, Alexandria. Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics. "Can centicubes measure up? Comparing simulated exponential decay curves for teaching radioactivity and half-life"

Patterson, Laurel. Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science. "Examining factors determining neurite outgrowth through computational modeling"

KY District 5

Nelson, Kaitlyn. Rowan County Senior High School. "Meteorology misconceptions held by college students in a general education earth science class"

Hamilton, Brittany Mae. Rowan County Senior High School. "Stability of circularized chromosomes lacking telomeres in Saccharomyces cerevisiae"


KY District 6

Kim, Jiwoo.  Model Laboratory School. "The Effects of Temperature Changes on Habituation of Crayfish Tail Response"

Weaver, Vivianna. Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science.  "Understanding the Impact of Environmental Pollution on Brain and Vascular Systems on the Zebrafish Model, Danio rerio"


What does it mean to be a Kentucky Junior Academy delegate?

The 2023 Kentucky Junior Academy of Science meeting was held in conjunction with the Kentucky Academy of Science Annual Meeting at Northern Kentucky University, November 3 & 4.
More than 60 high school students  joined us from all over Kentucky.

HS students who present an Oral Presentation about their research are eligible to be considered to serve as a Kentucky Delegate to the American Junior Academy of Science. KAS will cover registration, travel and accommodations for at least 6 students in 2025 and KAS will provide adult chaperones.



2023 KAS / KJAS Online Meeting Program

Become a Junior Academy Member
Student membership in the Junior Academy of Science is $5
Members receive special announcements & opportunities


We are seeking Sponsors at the $500 level or above to support Delegates travel and participation in Boston in 2025 Find Details here about Sponsorship



Middle & High School Students:
Are you interested in doing research in your classroom, at home, or at a Kentucky Field Station?  We can match you with a scientist mentor. Find out more about KAS Mentor Match

Teachers:
KJAS Registration is free for K12 Teachers,
Are you interested in doing research in your classroom, at home, or at a Kentucky Field Station?  We can match you with a scientist mentor. Find out more about KAS Mentor Match

Scientists:
We're calling on KAS member scientists to serve as mentors:  Find out more about KAS Mentor Match

Junior Academy Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why should I participate?

A: This is a great opportunity to think about doing science research, see other people's research,  meet scientists and fellow students,  expand a science fair project, and find out about STEM career options. if you're a student who loves STEM, you should join us!

Q: What kind of research can students present at the Ky Junior Academy of Science?

A: Presentations at the fall meeting are based on research done by the student independently, in conjunction with a mentor,  or as a member of a class or research team. Presentations may be about research projects that are currently in progress. Students do not have to present research to participate in the Junior Academy of Science meeting.

Q: How do students present research at the Ky Junior Academy of Science?

A: High School students have the option of making either an oral or poster presentation, but high school students who want to be considered to serve as a delegate representing Kentucky to the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) should plan to give an oral presentation. Middle school students are invited to present posters of their research projects. All presenters register for the KAS Annual Meeting, and then submit an abstract about their research by October 1. Follow our KAS / KJAS Abstract & Presentation Guidelines if you plan to present research.

Q: Are there prizes?

A: Some high school students giving an Oral Presentation will be invited to represent KJAS as delegates to the national meeting of the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) meeting in February 2025. KAS will provide financial support for the top students to participate at this national meeting.

About the Kentucky Junior Academy of Science

Did you know...

  • The Kentucky Junior Academy of Science (KJAS) began in the 1930's with a goal of fostering an interest in science for high school students in Kentucky?
  • This program eventually expanded to include middle school students?
  • The previous model revolved around a spring meeting of middle and high school students and has now been expanded to become an integral part of the Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) fall meeting?
  • Any middle & high school students interested in science can participate
  • Middle and high school students may also make presentations if they are doing research
  • KAS can help match up interested students with a research mentor or research project no matter where you are.





Kentucky Junior Academy Director
Melony Stambaugh
email