
February 2026
What's Inside Junior Academy Education Policy Funding Research Careers Community From our Science Partners More from KAS Upcoming Events Junior Academy 2026 Junior Academy Delegates Congratulations to the seven high school students who have been named as our Kentucky Junior Academy of Science delegates to the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) meeting in Phoenix, AZ in February. The AJAS meets in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science We invite you to contribute your support to send these young scientists to Phoenix to represent Kentucky. Donate here toward their trip and send them an encouraging message! KAS calling for Junior Academy champions and supporters Did you meet Junior Academy students at our Annual Meeting? Consider joining a team of KAS members to champion the Kentucky Junior Academy of Science program and reach more students. Email us to Join our KJAS Committee to support our middle and high school scientists. Education Congratulations to SPOG! We awarded the 2025 Excellence in Science Education & Outreach to the University of Louisville 's Science & Policy Outreach Group (SPOG). They're inspiring early-career scientists sharing their passion for science with young people and policymakers. Find out more about what they're doing. Summer Camp Directory and Scholarship Applications Find a summer camp experience near you in our STEM Summer camp listing. Because we know summer camp is out of reach for some families, KAS is offering some scholarships this summer. We start reviewing applications March 1st. We will continue accepting applications for secondary consideration as funds allow. KAS' Scholarship application here. Civil Rights Win for Higher Education Education Dept. Drops Appeal of Court Order Blocking Anti-DEI Guidance (From Inside Higher Ed) KAS awarded funding for building STEM pathways in Kentucky We're connecting scientists, K-12 teachers, and K-12 students- find out more here: https://kynsfepscor.uky.edu/2025-climbs-seed-funding-ideas-into-impact/ Apply to participate in the 3rd year of BIO-RETS: Urban Ecology Research and Environmental Justice The University of Louisville is accepting applications for an NSF-paid fellowship (roughly $9,000) that begins in June 2026. Application deadline is February 20, 2026 Additional information about the project can be found via the project website. Register with Education and Training Application (ETAP) (Personal information, demographic information, etc.) and submit your application Contact: Dr. Justin McFadden PBS Film with FREE Educator Resources Cracking the Code: Phil Sharp and the Biotech Revolution is available to watch for free on PBS.org, PBS YouTube and the PBS App. Phil Sharp grew up in Kentucky. Uncommon Productions offers a free Educator Guide to integrate this film into middle school, high school, and higher education curriculum. You can also request a free DVD or Digital Site License here: www.uncommonproductions.com/cracking-the-code/educators Education and Engagement Team invites your participation! Our Education & Engagement team makes connections with K-12 Teachers, Kentucky field stations, supports the Junior Academy, and connects with other partners around the state. E&E meets on February 6 and March 6 at 10 am ET. All are welcome! Email our Executive Director Amanda Fuller to get added to the list. Policy What we're watching in the 2026 Legislative Session The KAS Policy Committee has identified some bills that we think are potentially high-impact, where scientific input may be valuable. We'll also be watching the budget bills as they take shape. It's easy to call the General Assembly's toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181 and leave a message for a legislator about any piece of legislation. Our Advocacy Toolkit for scientists has links to help you find out who your legislators are, and other ways to contact them.We also have Tips for writing an effective message. If you'd like to contribute your expertise to a KAS brief on any of these topics, get in touch with Austin McMasters, our Science Policy Specialist. Thank you! HB2- Restrictions on medicaid eligibility HB71- Allows for prefiling of bills and publishing on LRC website HB103- water fluoridation optional HB165- enshrine Medicaid expansions in KY constitution (public vote) HB176- limitations on prior authorization requirements from health insurance companies HB196- establish PFAS working group HB447- require health insurance to cover ground ambulance services HB466- remove Hepatitis B vaccination from required list of vaccines for public school HB477- protections for IVF and associated reproductive healthcare HB488- submit waiver amendment to federal government for 1915© HCB waivers to include assisted living services SB93- enshrine Medicaid expansions in KY constitution (public vote) SB115- enhancing civil rights protections, HB2- Restrictions on medicaid eligibility HB71- Allows for prefiling of bills and publishing on LRC website HB103- water fluoridation optional HB165- enshrine Medicaid expansions in KY constitution (public vote) HB176- limitations on prior authorization requirements from health insurance companies HB196- establish PFAS working group HB447- require health insurance to cover ground ambulance services HB466- remove Hepatitis B vaccination from required list of vaccines for public school HB477- protections for IVF and associated reproductive healthcare HB488- submit waiver amendment to federal government for 1915(c) HCB waivers to include assisted living services SB92- enshrine Medicaid expansions in KY constitution (public vote) SB115- prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity KAS Science Policy Training has launched This free training is open to KAS members at any point in your career, whether you're a student, graduate, or professional. This series offers background in how policy is made at the State level, and offers practical training and experience in researching and communicating scientific information to policymakers and to the public. Participants will come away with knowledge about the legislative system in Kentucky, and science-related issues moving through the legislature. Participants will also develop skills in building relationships with legislators and translating relevant scientific research for use in public policy. At the end of the series, Participants will get to practice their skills in a visit with legislators at the state capitol. Participants who complete all sessions will receive a “Kentucky Science Policy” certificate and be well-equipped to participate in science policy advising. Fridays at 12 noon ET Continues February 6th, 13th, 20th with a Capitol visit Thursday Feb. 26 Register here for individual sessions or the whole series Find the full schedule with session details at our website KAS Launches KY STEM Briefs for Legislators The KAS Science Policy Committee is publishing a series of short informative briefs on various STEM topics of relevance to legislators. Our first two briefs address PFAS and Nuclear Energy. Do you have an area of expertise that you'd like to develop into a KY STEM Brief? Get in touch with Austin McMasters, our Science Policy Specialist, about future topics Find the KY STEM Briefs here: PFAS, Nuclear Energy and Rural Healthcare KAS Exploring a Science & Technology Policy Fellowship program Science and technology policy fellowships place professional STEM graduate degree-holders in state government to provide nonpartisan scientific expertise to support policymakers in developing evidence-based legislation. These positions are generally held for 1 or 2 years and allow scientists to gain public policy experience, address complex issues like technology regulation and public health, and serve as a vital link between scientific research and state policy. At the federal level, AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF) serve Congress and federal agencies. Sixteen states have similar fellowships, including Indiana, West Virginia, and Missouri. Kentucky has the opportunity to secure new matching funds to launch a science policy fellowship. To learn more, contact Austin McMasters, policy@kyscience.org Science Policy Committee Invites your Participation! The Science Policy committee will meet Wednesday, February 11 at 12:30pm ET on Zoom. The next meeting will be March 11. All are welcome! Email Science Policy Specialist Austin McMasters (policy@kyscience.org) for the zoom link or more information, and Follow our Policy work at the KAS website. Funding Did you know? KAS has has a list of funding available for our members on our website! Check out our Funding Opportunities today - some deadlines are quickly approaching! Kentucky Healthcare Scholarships For students pursuing healthcare fields - scan this list to se if you are eligible. Several deadlines are approaching in March! Ky- INBRE accepting proposals for equipment funding Deadline is Feb. 20. read more... Research Summer Research Opportunities for Undergraduates Check out our listing of paid Undergraduate Research Opportunities. If you are offering positions not listed here, please send them our way. Most deadlines are in February. New articles from the Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science! Volume 86 (2025) is complete and members can access it from the KAS website. Recognition of Four Distinct Limestone Beds in the Lead Creek Limestone Member of the Tradewater Formation (Atokan, Middle Pennsylvanian) in Western Kentucky and Southwestern Indiana. Philip H. Heckel, Philip R. Ames, W. John Nelson. 86 (1), 1-25, (27 January 2026) Social Distance as a Predictor of Academic Performance in Kentucky Schools. Anna Kate Davidson and James N. Maples. 86 (1), 1-9, (24 December 2025) Soil Loss Analysis of North Fork Kentucky River Basin Utilizing the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). Samir Pahari and Nahid D. Gani. 86 (1), 1-15, (1 September 2025) Measuring Eastern Bluebird Embryo Heart Rate in the Field Using a Digital Egg Monitor. Lindsey A. Walters, Marissa Tendam, and Caitlin Thornberry. 86 (1), 1-7, (3 October 2025) Check out these articles and others from the Journal More Kentucky Science Highlights Careers Check out our KAS Jobs Board Women in STEM Mentoring Meetup March 5 KAS is celebrating International Womens' Day with a virtual Mentoring event. Thursday, March 5, 9:30-11:30am ET. We welcome women of all backgrounds to this practical interactive virtual mentoring event. We'll mix up participants in small groups and you will meet colleagues from near and far to chat about your careers in STEM. This will be a great opportunity to discuss your career, ask questions, share your experiences and learn from others' experiences together with an international panel of women mentors and scientists. The program will include interactive Mentoring Circles, Real-life cases, Career Mapping, as well as open discussion forums on "Mentor Matching" and "Unspoken Rules of Science" Register here In 2025, we hosted a Symposium on Women Mentors, Women Mentees. Details & Recordings Tell NSF what you think about Workforce Development The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) and Directorate for STEM Education, has issued a request for information (RFI) on a proposed $100-million initiative to “renew American manufacturing, revitalize America’s energy dominance, and address the shortage of a trade and skilled workforce.” Comments should be submitted by Friday, February 13. Professional Development Resources for KAS members We've curated a variety of opportunities for our members to learn new skills, advance your careers, and have more impact in the world. Check our our Professional Development Resources at the KAS website. Many of them are free or cheap. If you know of resources you would like to share with fellow scientists, send them our way! Community Science Fairs seeking volunteer judges Saturday, March 28, 2026. Kentucky Science & Engineering Fair, at Eastern Kentucky University. Faculty and Professional Judges Needed Friday, March 6 East Kentucky Regional Science Fair at Big Sandy March 7. Louisville Regional Science & Engineering Fair March 7. Central Kentucky Science & Engineering Fair Congratulations Rachel Washburn - Photo Contest winner ! Check out these videos posted at the KAS Annual Meeting - we love that they captured the spirit of the KAS Annual Meeting! See more photos here KDLA seeking materials for a Robotics kit for youth The Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives has thematic instructional kits that individuals, families, or teachers, can borrow - they get distributed through the public library system and via bookmobiles. They want to build a new kit for robotics and are looking for donated materials. Do you have or know of new or lightly used materials of good quality, that ideally would be easily replaceable if lost or broken. Kits do not contain any consumable materials but instructional materials can be included via web link. Contact Amy Olson, amy.olson@ky.gov Link your Kroger card to get Community Rewards for KAS If you shop at Kroger, did you know that you can link your card to KAS to earn us small Community rewards with every purchase? Log in at kroger.com to link your rewards card to the Kentucky Academy of Science. We get quarterly payments from Kroger based on our members' purchases and small donations add up! Thank you! From our Science Partners Congratulations to Wood Hudson Cancer Research Laboratory Wood Hudson was recently awarded Ride Cincinnati grants, totaling $38,000 for three projects: “KRAS Inhibition: Unlocking Resistance in Colorectal Cancer.” funding Dr. Mary Kate Gehret’s work to identify mechanisms of treatment resistance “Integrating Cancer Advocacy and Soft Skills into the Undergraduate Research Education Program (UREP) Curriculum.” “Enhancing Visibility of Wood Hudson Cancer Research Laboratory through Digital Outreach.” Anthropologists and Sociologists of Kentucky (ASK) Call for Abstracts ASK invites proposals for papers, posters, panels, roundtables, or workshops for our 57th annual meeting, Saturday, April 11th, 2026. Centre College, Danville. We welcome abstract submissions from any branch or subdiscipline of anthropology, sociology, and from related fields. We encourage work from disciplinary professionals, joint work between professionals and their students, and outstanding original student work. Registration covers parking, light breakfast, coffee/tea, and lunch on April 11th. Contact: ASK President Jeff Shenton Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Centre College jeffrey.shenton@centre.edu (859) 238-6182 Connect with other Scientific Associations in Kentucky Kentucky Psychological Association Geological Society of Kentucky Anthropologists & Sociologists of Kentucky American Chemical Society (ACS), Lexington or Louisville or Kentucky Lake or Owensboro American Society for Microbiology (ASM) in Kentucky/ Tennessee or at UK Mathematical Association of America, Kentucky chapter Kentucky Paleontological Society Sigma Xi - chapters in Kentucky Did we miss any? Send info to executivedirector@kyscience.org Kentucky Infrasructure Network for Biomedical Research (KY-INBRE) Offers free trainings, and funding opportunities- check out their monthly news EPSCoR/ IDeA News, training and funding opportunities from Established Program for Stimulating Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and Institutional Development Award (IDeA) More from KAS Remember KAS in your Will or Trust Amanda here: I've been putting off updating my will, but I finally did it, and I am including a gift to KAS. Gifts, bequests, and regular everyday donations enable us to run programs like our K-12 Junior Academy program, and our science policy work. I am here at your service today because of one donor's gift - he was not an especially wealthy individual but his gifts have made a huge impact for scientists in Kentucky. How to include the Kentucky Academy of Science in your will or trust, or donate now. Thank you! Like and follow the Kentucky Academy of Science Stay updated on all things KAS! kyscientists Kentucky Academy of Science kyscience kentuckyscience KAS Channel Upcoming Events Growing with AI - A Series on Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture 02/04/2026 02/12/2026 02/19/2026 History & Science Panel 02/05/2026 KAS Education & Engagement Committee 02/06/2026 03/06/2026 2026 Science Policy Training Series 02/06/2026 02/13/2026 02/20/2026 02/27/2026 Bench Talk: The Week in Science Podcast Weekly on Mondays! KAS Science Policy Committee meeting 02/11/2026 03/11/2026 From vision to impact: Redefining STEM by closing the gender gap 02/11/2026 UK Sky Talk 02/12/2026 03/12/2026 Free Fact Sheet Workshop for Scientists 02/25/2026 Virtual Bioinformatics Workshops - Deadline to apply 03/02/2026 03/16/2026 Women in STEM Mentoring Meetup 03/05/2026
KAS Newsletter* - February 2026