Students at Western Kentucky University’s Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky made significant gains on the state-required American College Test (ACT).

As mandated by state law, all of Kentucky’s public school juniors participate in the ACT, which assesses English, reading, mathematics and science and is scored on a scale of 1 to 36. This is the second year the test has been required for juniors.

On Monday, the Kentucky Department of Education announced the results of the March 2009 ACT for all public schools. Gatton Academy students outpaced their peers, receiving an average composite score of 29.9 out of 36 possible points on the exam — a score 11.7 points ahead of the statewide average.

View Full Results of the March 2009 ACT by District

In the individual subjects, Gatton Academy students scored an average of 29.9 in English, 30.4 in mathematics, 30.3 in reading and 29.0 in science.

Academy administrators were pleased with the improvement in scores between the 2008 and 2009 tests. The average composite score increased by 1.6 points, while the average math score increased by 1.8 points.

Corey Alderdice, assistant director for admissions and public relations, said the increase hints at the growing quality of students studying at the Gatton Academy.

“We are pleased that students are increasingly looking at the Gatton Academy as a place not only to challenge themselves but also learn alongside some of their most gifted and motivated peers from across Kentucky,” Alderdice said. “This test is, in many ways, the midpoint of their experiences during their two years at the Academy. We look forward to the great accomplishments of these students in their senior year and as they become future leaders for the commonwealth.”

The exceptional scores come as no surprise to Tim Gott, director of the Gatton Academy.

“When a program draws from many of the state’s most outstanding students, there is the expectation that their scores will be equally impressive,” Gott said. “This is a strong reflection of the caliber of gifted students from across Kentucky and their educational experiences to this point.”

Alderdice added that Gatton Academy students showed strength not only in math but across the English and critical reasoning sections of the exam as well.

“Because the emphasis of the Gatton Academy is math and science, many individuals are surprised to learn our students are equally outstanding in the classroom in subjects across the academic spectrum,” Alderdice said.

“Though these students intend to pursue advanced careers that require substantial study in math and science, we are pleased to know these students are growing as problem-solvers and critical thinkers, skills that are crucial to a 21st century economy.”

Statewide, the 43,511 public school juniors taking the exam received an average composite score of 18.2. In the individual subjects, students scored an average of 17.3 in English, 18.2 in mathematics, 18.4 in reading, and 18.5 in science.

Gott is quick to share the success of Gatton Academy students on the test with their local sending districts. Students’ scores are included in the average of their local school on this and other required assessments, an important component in the shared relationship between the program and high schools from across the state.

“We hope to be viewed as an extension of every school and district in the state,” Gott said. “We are excited that districts are partnering with us to provide appropriate challenges while helping students grow academically and socially.”

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu and at http://wkunews.wordpress.com/. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Corey Alderdice at 270.745.6565.

Our “Five Questions” (5Q) series keeps rolling with Ryne Weiss, a second-year student from Madison County. This summer, he is participating in research in WKU’s Department of Geology and Geography.

1. Tell us a little about the project or program in which you participated?

I am participating in Geochemical research with Dr. Andrew Wulff involving the analysis of igneous rocks collected from lava flows in Chile. Using our data, a model will be made to describe volcanic activity that can be applied not only to volcanoes in the Andes system in Chile, but everywhere on earth, and even on other planets. The project that I have joined is nearing its final stages after 8 years of work by many others.

2. What is the part of the summer experience did you enjoy the most?

We took a trip to Michigan State University in Lansing, and there we prepared slides for analysis in their X-Ray Fluorescence, or XRF machine. Preparing these discs involved crushing, then powdering rocks, weighing them out to extreme scientific precision, and then melting them down to a molten state. Pouring lava into a mould is quite a rush and an incredibly memorable experience.

3. How is this different from the way you think most high school students spend their summers?

At any other high school, I wouldn’t have made the contacts to be able to do something like this, nor be presented with the opportunity to do research that is so significant. While I do enjoy relaxing, I am blessed to have such a great opportunity to do this research. However, I don’t mean to imply I am eschewing fun in favor of work. Rather, I am spending my mornings and early afternoons contributing to something important, before I go home and spend time with friends.

4. How does this research experience or internship fit into your educational and professional goals?

While I haven’t quite decided what I’m going to do yet, this research has gotten me very interested in geology, certainly to the point that I will start taking Geology classes next year. As far as my future goes, working with an experienced researcher like Dr. Wulff, and gaining experience doing real scientific research opens a large number of doors for me that wouldn’t be otherwise.

5. What are you looking forward to the most about your second year at the Academy?

I very much am looking forward to my second year at the academy to broaden my horizons, continue with research, meet new friends, and spend time with old ones. I plan on being more involved in extracurricular activities such as Mock Trial, and my position as an Academy Avatar will give me a fantastic opportunity to give back to the program that I owe so much to.