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KAS has been standing up for Science in Kentucky since 1914! We encourage aspiring scientists, promote science literacy, give science a voice in policymaking, and recognize those who make the future brighter through scientific discovery.
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If you have something to share in the monthly KAS newsletter, get in touch with our Newsletter editor, Mark dela Cerna.
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Publish in the KAS Journal
The Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science publishes work in the Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences.
Digital issues are published as Issues-in-Progress which expedites publication for authors.
News from Partners
EPSCoR & IDeA News Established Program for Stimulating Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and Institutional Development Award (IDeA), including federal funding opportunities and more! EPSCoR is a program serving states such as Kentucky, to build capacity for federally funded scientific research.
Ky- INBRE Recent News KY IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence supports biomedical researchers and educators within the Commonwealth. The purpose of the network is to develop infrastructure and capacity for biomedical research and training in the state. Their newsletter has training events, funding leads, and job opportunities. You can also subscribe at the above link.
How to Join the KAS Listserv
KAS has set up a listserv so our members can talk to each other, to share science-related news & announcements, offers, requests, questions and answers.
Opt In to the listserv:
Log In at the KAS website ( https://kyscience.org/)
In the Member Menu, go to Communication / Message Boards
Click to Opt In to the KAS Member Listserv (and choose the Daily Digest option if you prefer)
To post to the listserv, send a message to kyscience@memberleap.com |
Support KAS on Kentucky Gives Day
Rob Weber KAS and nonprofits across the state are gearing up for a 24-hour fundraising blitz known as “Kentucky Gives Day” on May 9 (tomorrow!). Can we count on you to make the day a success?
Please join our campaign by offering a donation and telling your family and friends about the ways KAS promotes scientific literacy across Kentucky. On last year’s Kentucky Gives Day, KAS raised $2,433, an amount we hope to beat this year.
The opportunity to make a donation is already available for early birds who want to give KAS a head start in advance of the 24-hour fundraising blitz. You can give today by going to https://www.kygives.org/organizations/kentucky-academy-of-science.
Thank you!
Find KAS Scientists at the Louisville How-To Fest May 13
Catch some of your fellow KAS scientists at the Louisville Free Public Library's How-To Festival on May 13th. Dr. Monica Unseld is facilitating a workshop on "How to be a scientist... even if you think you aren't." She will be joined by Dr. Joanne Dobbins, Dr. Jeffery Masters, and Dr. Benne Holwerda. The workshop will highlight examples of community-based participatory science projects in a variety of disciplines.
The workshop is from 1:00-1:45pm. There's plenty to learn during the rest of the day as well! Check out all the other events and the schedule here.
New KAS committee increase opportunities for member participation
Rob Weber In recent years, the KAS Education and Advocacy Committee made great strides to give Kentucky’s science community a stronger voice and presence throughout the state. Now, the committee is undergoing changes to spur the next stage of growth. On a trial basis, the committee is turning into two new committees. The new committees are:
Education and Engagement Committee: This committee is for anyone who wants to help spread scientific literacy through outreach, events, and media. Members will promote scientific research, scientists, and teachers while also supporting science education and programs across the state.
Science Policy Committee: This committee is for anyone who wants to help make sure the science community has a voice in the science policy matters. Much of our emphasis will be on environment, health, and education issues at the state level, but we'll also keep an eye on policy discussions in other subject matters and at other levels of government. We want to continue developing connections to policymakers that establish KAS as a trusted source for science information.
The Science Policy Committee will meet via Zoom on the second Wednesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. EST. The Education and Engagement Committee will meet via Zoom on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 12:30 p.m. EST.
You are welcome to join either committee's email list to stay informed of a committee's work and drop in on a meeting to decide for yourself whether you'd like to be a full-fledged member. Each person who joins a committee brings valuable new ideas and energy. Please send a message to policy@kyscience.org if you'd like to join one or both committees or be added to a committee’s email list.
Kentucky Natural History Collections Inventory update
Thank you to everyone who has contributed data to the Inventory of Kentucky Natural History Collections. We have been delighted with the response we've received to our survey. Ethan Hovernale, an EKU student, has been working hard to assemble the data we've collected, and has compiled it into a spreadsheet to help researchers. Many thanks also to Stephen Richter and EKU's Center for Outdoor & Environmental Research for supporting this project.
Ethan will be working on creating a map of collections over the coming months and we hope to host a webinar to share progress about the project. Stay tuned! In the meantime, you can view a summary of the collections data, as of May 1st 2023, by clicking this link.
If you know of a natural history specimen collection in Kentucky, tell us about it. Fill out our survey here and share it - we're reaching out to colleagues in private, public, academic, and non-profit sectors.
Kentucky Association for Environmental Education Higher Education Network
The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education is working to establish a network of Kentucky higher education professionals engaged in environmental education (EE) across disciplines (aquatics, biology, early childhood, education, forestry, geology, recreation, natural resources, wildlife, etc.). This new network is known as the eeHEN - Higher Education Network.
You are invited to join the network by completing this form! There are no commitments, only support from your fellow professionals and periodic emails regarding opportunities, updates, and resources. This network is intended to provide EE and EE-adjacent higher education staff and faculty channels and opportunities to convene, collaborate, and partner at the local level and across the state.
Our first opportunity to convene is on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Eastern Kentucky University, Perkins Building. In partnership with EKU Division of Natural Areas, KAEE will host a summit for members of the network, 9 am - 12 pm ET with lunch provided and served at 12 pm ET. Following the network meeting, we are offering an optional environmental education workshop: Using Environmental Context to Teach Preservice Teachers, 1 pm - 4 pm ET. You may RSVP by following this link.
Waldron Shale workshop to be held June 14
Dr. Kate Bulinski of Bellarmine University and Mr. Alan Goldstein of the Falls of the Ohio State Park have teamed up to offer a professional development workshop “The Waldron Shale Project: Fossil identification and analysis for K-12 Science Classrooms.”
The June 14 workshop will take place on the campus of Bellarmine University in Louisville.
Participants will receive:
1) a day-long hands-on professional development paleontology workshop
2) a bulk sample of fossiliferous shale
3) a kit of classroom supplies including a digital microscope and
4) ongoing professional support from Dr. Bulinski and Mr. Goldstein.
To apply, please submit the form linked here. Only a few spots remain and applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Dr. Bulinski (kbulinski@bellarmine.edu) with any questions.
Calling Teen Scientists: Join a Innovation Challenge team
The New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS)’ Junior Academy will be accepting applications from students ages 13-17 from around the world for the 2023-2024 Challenge Cycle. The NYAS is welcoming students who are passionate about making a difference in their communities and across the globe through STEM!
Students who are accepted into the NY Junior Academy and participate in an Innovation Challenge can expect to:
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Build a STEM network with expert mentorship from professionals, scientists, and global peers
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Build vital 21st century skills like leadership, collaboration, and communication
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Strengthen academic readiness by introducing exercises related to key research skills used in STEM
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Expand critical thinking skills
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Expand their organization and time management skills
This is a free and virtual opportunity open to ALL interested students! Application is open until June 30th 2023! For more information, click here or email gsa@nyas.org.
KAS surveys candidates for governor on science policy issues
Rob Weber Most candidates, including the front-runners, did not reply to a questionnaire on science policy issues distributed by the Kentucky Academy of Science. We received responses from Peppy Martin, who was the Republican nominee for governor in 1999 and is currently running as a Democrat, as well as from Republican candidate Robbie Smith, a high school math teacher from Madison County.
To view the questionnaire and candidate responses, click here.
KAS did not receive a response from current governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, nor from the Republican candidates leading in the polls. A Fox 56/Emerson poll released in mid-April indicated the Republican contest was led by Attorney General Daniel Cameron, followed by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft and Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles.
Questions on the KAS survey focused on science topics including STEM education, health disparities, energy, the environment, drug abuse, cybersecurity, and land preservation.
The primary election is on May 16.
Ohio River Named 2nd Most Endangered River in U.S.
In a recent report, the Ohio River was listed as the United States second most endangered river. The report cites lack of federal investment and decades of environmental pollution from industrial, agricultural, and municipal development along the river and in the watershed as the primary threats to the Ohio. The 2023 America’s Most Endangered Rivers® report is researched and published by the national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization American Rivers.
For the past nine months, KWA has been working with a coalition to host community listening sessions organized by the National Wildlife Federation. Feedback from the more than 25 sessions is informing a regional restoration and protection plan written under the leadership of the Ohio River Basin Alliance (ORBA), as well as Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), and National Wildlife Federation (NWF). The plan will be delivered to Congress and Biden Administration in late 2023, with the goal of securing funding to implement the plan.
KWA encourages individuals to sign on the American Rivers letter of support for federal funding for the Ohio River here.
Ohio River Listening Sessions continue through May 2023
The National Wildlife Federation will be wrapping up a year-long series of listening sessions at the end of May. The full list of sessions can be found here.
The community listening sessions are free and open to everyone. The feedback from these sessions is helping inform a regional plan to restore and protect the waters of the Ohio River basin, which includes Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
The restoration and protection plan will be delivered to Congress and the Biden Administration in 2023. The goal is to get substantial new federal funding to protect and restore the waters that are vital to our drinking water, public health, jobs, and quality of life. Please share this with your colleagues and friends, and, if you have not attended one yourself, please consider attending one and participating.
If you have any questions, please reach out to lubetkin@nwf.org.
Science Job Postings around KY
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