Busy Summer Ahead for Gatton Academy Students, Graduates

While many high school students and graduates are spending their summer getting ready for college or enjoying weeks on the beach, Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky students and recent alumni will spend the coming weeks academically engaged, building off their experiences at the Gatton Academy.

In all, 54 students have current plans to participate in an academic or career exploration during the months of June, July, and August that will take place across the world.  Derick Strode, the Academy’s coordinator for research, internships, and scholarships expressed both the geography and educational experiences of these students will be wide-ranging.

“This summer, Gatton Academy students’ plans range from internships in their own Kentucky backyards to research experiences than span from the east coast to the mountain west,” Strode said.  “Gatton Academy students will be on four continents this summer, collecting experiences that will propel them to higher achievements.”

Summer time research projects and internships are important educational experience facilitated by the Gatton Academy because it allows student to explore a possible career field while staying active academically.

“Our students have the chance to experience research for a summer with the guidance of a professional researcher,” Strode said.  “They have the opportunity to shadow the inner-workings of a professional in the field the student plans to work.  These practical experiences allow our students a glimpse into the realities of their own personal goals, forcing them to question and answer whether the career they have in mind for themselves truly fits.”

2009 alumnus, Dalton Hubble, participated in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Summer Research Institute in 2008.  The research completed during that program became the foundation for his application to the Intel Science Talent Search and Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology.  Hubble earned national semifinalist honors in both competitions.  Similarly, this summer’s projects will serve as the basis for competition entries this fall.

“The Gatton Academy’s curriculum is designed for the ultimate challenge during the academic year,” Strode said.  “Likewise, we ask our students to consider doing more with their summers than your typical student.  By completing summer time projects, the door is metaphorically opened for our students as they apply for colleges, scholarships, and we expect eventually in their career searches.”

2009 summer experiences include:

Aaron Bell, a graduating senior from Scottsville, will be participating in a research project with Dr. Edward Kintzel of the WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy.  Aaron will assist in a study involving methanol adsorption on graphite materials, materials synthesis, and materials characterization techniques.

Rachel Bowman, a graduating senior from Murray, will participate in the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) program at the University of Maine.  Rachel will be part of a research team working with forest bio-products for ten weeks.

Stephanie Burba, a graduating senior from Magnolia, has been selected as a participant in the Department of Energy’s Pre-Service Teacher Program.  Stephanie will spend ten weeks at the Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, IL doing research on plant and animal ecosystems at a created wetland.

Phillip Butler, a first-year student from Frankfort, will be doing research with Dr. Eric Conte of the WKU Department of Chemistry.  Phillip’s project will be testing the use of hot solvents to remove substances from a sorbent.

Ruby Chang, a graduating senior from Bowling Green, will participate in the University of Louisville’s five-week Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)/ Dental Admissions Test (DAT) Summer Workshop.   As a part of the program, she will also participate in tours, demonstrations, and lectures at the University of Louisville’s medical and dental schools.

Alexander Chen, a graduating senior from Lexington, will participate in a research project with Dr. Keith Philips of the WKU Department of Biology for five weeks this summer.  Alex will work at WKU’s Biotechnology Center where he will be assisting with a study of the abundance and diversity of beetles that were collected in the Upper Guinean Forest.

Bethany Coffey, a graduating senior from Columbia, will be doing research with Dr. Pedro do Amaral of the WKU Department of Biology.  Bethany will be studying the developmental stages of tadpoles that are growing in waters of varying temperatures.

Michelle Compton, a first-year student from Ashland, will be working with Dr. Mary Jane Wixsom at Guardian Animal Hospital in Ashland.

Jennifer Connelly, a first-year student from Louisville, will be volunteering this summer at the University of Louisville Health Care’s University Hospital.

Amy Cordero, a first-year student from Pikeville, will be working under Dr. Curry at the Pikeville Medical Center.

Manuel Cortez, a first-year student from Symsonia, will be shadowing a pharmacist at the Lone Oak Pharmacy in Lone Oak.

Allyson Dilliha, a graduating senior from Bowling Green, will be participating in Point Park University’s International Summer Intensive Dance program in Pittsburg, PA for part of the summer.  She will also spend time in Bowling Green working at the Dance Arts Children’s Camp.

Cody Feldhaus, a first-year student from Petersburg, will be doing research with Dr. Aaron Celestian of the WKU Department of Geography and Geology.  Cody’s project will involve the synthesis of gismondine zeolites.

Elaine Flynn, a first-year student from Demossville, will be doing research with Dr. Andrew Wulff of the WKU Department of Geography and Geology.  Elaine’s project will involve geochemical analysis of lava and igneous rock samples.

James “Zac” Forshee, a first-year student from Franklin, will be participating in the Naval Academy Summer Seminar in Annapolis, MD.

Gretchen Fraze, a first-year student from Hodgenville, will be working at Elizabethtown Chiropractic.

Leah Frazier, a first-year student from Russell, will be working at Brooks Eyecare in Greenup.

Colleen Gavin, a graduating senior from Elizabethtown, will be volunteering at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown.

Emily Hall, a first-year student from Nicholasville, will be doing research with Dr. Kathryn Saatman of the University of Kentucky’s Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center.  Emily’s research involves working with rodents to test for proteins that might increase the chance of normal brain function.

Kaitlin Hartley, a graduating senior from Versailles, will be working as a teacher assistant for the WKU Center for Gifted Studies Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth (VAMPY) camp.

Jordan Jones, a first-year student from Ft. Wright, will be doing research at the Wood Hudson Cancer Research Laboratory in Newport, KY with Dr. Julia Carter.

Matthew Kirk, a graduating senior from Centertown, will be doing research with Dr. Lee Florea of the WKU Department of Geography and Geology.  Matthew’s project will use GPS and high-frequency echo-location equipment to estimate the bat population of south central Kentucky.

Jennifer Ludden, a graduating senior from Columbia, will be water quality testing in the WKU WATERS Laboratory.

Holly Mitchell, a first-year student from Salvisa, will be doing research with Dr. Michael May of the WKU Department of Geography and Geology.  Holly’s work will assist in measuring rock strata at the Upper Green River Biological Preserve.

Rachel Moore, a graduating senior from Lexington, will be doing research at the University of Kentucky’s Center for Biomedical Engineering with Dr. Joyce Evans.

Elizabeth Nethaway, a first-year student from Russellville, will be working with Dr. Lee Florea of the WKU Department of Geography and Geology.  Elizabeth’s project will use GPS and high-frequency echo-location equipment to estimate the bat population of south central Kentucky.

Sarah Pritchett, a first-year student from Winchester, has been accepted to two prestigious programs this summer.  In June, Sarah will participate in the EarthWatch Institute’s Student Challenge Awards Program Expedition to study tectonics and volcanism in the Rio Grande Rift in the Espanola and Albuquerque Basins in New Mexico.  In July and August, Sarah will be a part of the Student Conservation Association’s National Crew in the Glacier National Park of Montana, where she will work on trail rehabilitation, installation of turnpikes, and repair of water bars.

Shelby Rader, a graduating senior from Irvine, will be participating in a research project with Dr. Aaron Celestian of the WKU Department of Geography and Geology.  Shelby’s project will focus on the synthesis and ion exchange of sitinkite zeolites.

Jacob Roberts, a first-year student from Owensboro, will be doing research with the Owensboro Medical Health Systems.

Katherine Rush, a first-year student from Frankfort, will be doing research with the Hoffman Institute’s Crawford Hydrology Laboratory at WKU.

Suzanna Sadler, a graduating senior from Cadiz, will be participating in the NASA Summer Opportunities in Aeronautics for High School Scholars (SOAR) program at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA.  Suzanna will spend three weeks exploring aeronautics through various research tools.

Forrest Simmons, a first-year student from Hebron, will be doing research with Dr. Aaron Celestian of the WKU Department of Geography and Geology.  Forrest will be working on the synthesis of new titanium germinates.

Elizabeth Singleton, a first-year student from Stearns, will be participating in the University of Kentucky’s Professional Education Preparation Program (PEPP) in Pikeville, a program for students interested in medicine and dentistry.

Kristine Song, a graduating senior from Bowling Green, will be doing research with Dr. Michael May of the WKU Department of Geography and Geology.  Kristine’s work will assist in measuring rock strata at the Upper Green River Biological Preserve.

Sean Stopher, a first-year student from Louisville, will be working as a lab technician for the PT Hutchins Company, a chemical technology company, in Orlando, FL.

Anna Walter, a first-year student from Burlington, will be working with Dr. Aaron Celestian in the WKU Department of Geography and Geology.  Anna’s project will center on low temperature zeolite synthesis.

Ryne Weiss, a first-year student from Richmond, will be working with Dr. Andrew Wulff of the WKU Department of Geography and Geology.  Ryne’s project will involve geochemical analysis of lava and igneous rock samples

Eleven Gatton Academy first-year students will be participating in Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Programs.  These students are Miles Cary of Bowling Green, Thomas Choate of Bowling Green, Amy Cordero of Pikeville, Justin Jatczak of Hopkinsville, Lori Froedge of Tompkinsville, Ballard Metcalfe of Eminence, Rebecca Morgan of Sonora, Alex Naumann of Ashland, Rohith Palli of Lexington, Sarah Pritchett of Winchester, and Elizabeth Singleton of Stearns.

Eight Gatton Academy students are studying abroad this summer.  Six students will be studying German Language and Culture on the WKU Germany trip led by Laura McGee.  These students are Nathan Griffin, a graduating senior from Eastview, Jess Heichelbech, a graduating senior from Crestwood, Tyce Hodges, a graduating senior from Somerset, Benjamin Messick, a graduating senior from Ashland, Rachel Moore, a graduating senior from Lexington, and Holly Mitchell, a first-year student from Salvisa.  Katherine Rush, a Frankfort first-year student, will be studying the literature of Jane Austen in London, England.  Whitney Antle, a Rineyville first-year student, will be studying the Spanish language in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Six Gatton Academy first-year students will be participating in the National Youth Policy Summit.  This year’s topic, the Reduction of Greenhouse Gases, will be discussed at the Keystone Science Center in Keystone, CO.  These students are Elaine Flynn of Demossville, Alexander Hare of Morehead, Ballard Metcalfe of Eminence, Holly Mitchell of Salvisa, Kaitlin Oliver of Central City, and Hunter Smith of Elizabethtown.

Four Gatton Academy first-year students will be presenting their research work at the National Consortium Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science and Technology’s (NCSSSMST) Research Symposium at the University of Pennsylvania.  These students are Gretchen Fraze of Hodgenville, Justin Jatczak of Hopkinsville, Jared Mink of East Bernstadt, and Katherine Rush of Frankfort.

For more information, contact Derick Strode at (270) 745-6565.