5Q: Keaton Smith Combines Music, Computers in Summer Research at Northern Kentucky University

Since 2010, the Gatton Academy has offered students the ability to pursue summer research experiences through the Gatton Research Internships Grants (RIG) program.  Made possible through the generous support of Mr. Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton, the program offers competitive grants to Gatton Academy students between their junior and senior years to support summertime research internships across the Commonwealth and the world.  By providing a funding mechanism, the program directly creates new avenues for growth and exploration.  Throughout the summer, we’ll share insights from students who are the recipients of our 2011 grants.

Keaton Smith (’12) of Alexandria is performing research this summer at Northern Kentucky University’s Department of Computer Science with Drs. Richard Fox and Jeffrey Ward. Keaton is pictured with Dr. Ward on the NKU campus earlier this summer.

1. Tell us a little about the research experience in which you are participating this summer that the Research Internship Grant is funding:

I am working with Dr. Jeffrey Ward and Dr. Richard Fox at Northern Kentucky University on writing a program able to generate a musical composition that sounds good according to user input, music theory, and some other criteria. The program will use genetic algorithms in the generation process: several compositions will be selected by a scoring process from a pool of many, and those selected will be randomly changed and scored in turn. This can happen for many “generations” and at the end the one with the highest score will be output.

2. What does research mean to you as a young person interested in STEM?

Research has been a big consideration for me throughout my interest in computer science. It is a great opportunity to explore previously unknown areas and gain experience in real-world applications of classroom learning.

3. Will you be using this research experience as a launching point for any particular applications, competitions, or scholarships?

I hope to submit this project to the Siemens competition; regardless of the outcome, I think it will be good to have the experience of my work undergoing professional review.

4. What is the part of the summer experience you are enjoying most?

So far this summer I have really enjoyed being stimulated through an academic project but at the same time having the freedom to work on this project whenever I wanted.

5. How does the Gatton Academy help Kentucky from your point of view?

The Gatton Academy is really one of Kentucky’s biggest assets; it gives talented, motivated individuals the chance to achieve above and beyond what could be expected at a more traditional high school. The education that Kentucky’s young minds receive at the Academy can only help throughout their lives as they grow to become major influences on the world.