WKU – Page 2 – The Gatton Academy News

Research at Gatton

August 16, 2023 | Tasha Otieno | No Comments

One of the ways Gatton stands out from typical high schools is through the various research opportunities offered. Gatton promotes research participation so students can explore their interests, meet new faculty and mentors, gain experience in a lab, and connect with peers in their field.

The various ways a student can participate in research include:

Western Kentucky University (WKU) Research: There are many research opportunities available just by being a part of Gatton. Since we are dually enrolled as high schoolers as well as WKU students, we have access to the same undergraduate research projects that typical WKU students have. We have the opportunity to be a part of faculty-led research projects in many different areas like agriculture, business, biology, chemistry, technology, psychology, communication, nursing, math, public health, etc.

Research Internship Grant (RIG): If you are unable to find research in your area of interest at WKU, RIG is a good way to participate in research at other institutions and organizations. Students already connected with WKU research can continue that over the summer through a RIG as well. RIG is a grant given to Gatton students who want to pursue research internships in the summer at WKU or other universities around the United States. Recently, Gatton students have conducted research at universities like Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Purdue University, University of Kentucky, Indiana University, University of Lousiville, Brown University, etc.

The Genome Discovery and Exploration Program (GDEP): The GDEP program is a two-semester commitment to undergraduate research during your junior year at Gatton. Students get the chance to participate in a hands-on research project both inside and outside of the classroom. Students explore different topics in biology and chemistry ranging from genetics and microbiology to biotechnology and ecology. I was a participant in this program when I first came to Gatton. It not only helped me learn basic lab techniques and gain research experience, but it opened up the doors for the future research opportunities I would get to be a part of.

Summer Research Opportunities: There are a lot of research programs available for both high schoolers and college students in the summer. As a Gatton student, you qualify for both of these programs. There are college institutions that have structured programs where high schoolers can conduct summer research or take summer courses like MIT’s Minority Introduction for Engineering and Science (MITES ) program or Aspirnaut’s Summer Internship Program for Highschoolers. Gatton students are able to apply for these programs and also undergraduate research programs as well like Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs.

Now the big question of how to get involved in these research opportunities. While it varies depending on circumstances and programs, there are a few tips I learned during my time here:

REACH OUT: I cannot stress this enough, if anything interests you, take the time to reach out to these programs/organizations/faculty to show them you are interested. This is a good way to see if they have open spots in their labs, if they are full, or be on their radar when they have an opening. This is also your chance to explain your career goals, interests, planned major, etc, and learn more about their projects. For summer research programs, I suggest applying even if you don’t think you’re qualified. You’ll miss out on many opportunities if you don’t try.
Use your resources: There are many opportunities for summer research and Gatton has staff here to help you find and get these opportunities. Our Assistant Director of Academic Services, Sam Earls, can help you find WKU research during the school year. Our Academic Opportunities Coordinator, Cheryl Kirby-Stokes, has composed a list of over 150 summer programs, internships, and research projects to help you find a good fit for you. Some of these programs require applications; others require resumes and interviews. The staff here are happy to help with reviewing essays and resumes, narrowing down your search based on your interests, and conducting mock interviews. All you have to do is reach out!
Do your own research: If you know you are interested in something or want to explore something in a specific area, you can look on WKU’s faculty page to see what research different professors are a part of. This is a good way to familiarize yourself with different projects here at WKU and see what’s out there. Once you find a few projects/areas that you like, reach out to let them know you’re interested. For external programs, read the requirements to make sure your qualify. Some programs have an age requirement, some have course requirements, and some have past research requirements. You can save a lot of time if you know this before applying. Looking at past research projects for specific programs can also help you determine if it is something you are interested in.

All in all, research is a great way to get involved in whatever area you are interested in. There are plenty of opportunities available if this is something you choose to do!

By Gatton Academy

Studying Abroad with Friends at Harlaxton

May 2, 2023 | Nishu Anekere | No Comments

As Gatton students, we have the unique opportunity to study abroad as high schoolers. This past summer, I went on the Harlaxton trip to England. Through this trip, I was able to visit a new country for three weeks while also taking care of a required English credit.

Being able to learn about English literature while in England was better than I could’ve ever imagined! Experiences like reading Shakespeare’s Sonnets one day and then visiting Shakespeare’s birthplace the next day were unforgettable.

The freedom we were given to explore the places we visited, whether we were wandering around Harlaxton Manor or sightseeing in London, was also a breath of fresh air from the traditional rigid structure of school trips.

However, the best part of Harlaxton was traveling with other Gatton students. Since only 50 students are randomly selected for the trip each year, Harlaxton creates a “subsection” of the Gatton community that may not include all your closest friends from Gatton. At Gatton, it can be easy to get caught up in friend groups that only consist of people who are on your floor, in your classes, do the same activities, and so on. As a result, you may never talk to those who don’t fall into one of the aforementioned categories. Harlaxton is a great way to “break out” of these groups and make new friends. The shared experience this small group has of attending class, working on group projects, and visiting new places together means that it becomes very close knit.

While on the trip, I found myself becoming good friends with people I’d never talked to before as we biked through the English countryside, watched The Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace, and studied for quizzes we had the next day.

Regardless of whether I was with my new or old friends, being surrounded by them while exploring everything England had to offer was what made this trip unique. While I have had great experiences traveling abroad with family, the more casual nature of hanging out with friends like it was just another weekend was something that couldn’t be beaten. Of course, the difference was that instead of going to a local theater to watch a movie, we were going to Shakespeare’s Globe to watch The Tempest!

For those of you going on the Harlaxton trip or another study abroad trip, the following are a few things to keep in mind, so you can have as much fun as I did!

Don’t just stick with the friends you already have! – It can be tempting to only hang out with your best friends on the trip, but be sure to talk to new people as well. Since you’re in a smaller group, you might as well try to get to know as many people as you can.

Plan ahead! – You’ll be given a lot of free time at each of the places you visit on the trip. Figure out where you want to eat or what attractions you want to check out. Then, find other people who are interested in the same places. This can be a great way to meet others who share interests with you.

Branch out! – Don’t be afraid to try new things! You’re in a new country, so you should try to broaden your horizons with the new experiences that are offered. Whether it’s going to a restaurant with food you’ve never had before or going to a museum that may seem boring at first, diving into these new experiences will allow you to find new things you may enjoy and new friends along the way.

By Gatton Academy

Hoop Scholars

April 22, 2023 | Kenyan Wood | 2 Comments

Giving up the option to play high school basketball may have been one of the hardest decisions I had to make in coming to The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science. Thankfully, it ended up being of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I have been able to play basketball more than ever.

At the Gatton Academy, during your enrollment, you are not allowed to play KHSAA sports, but this doesn’t mean you have to give up the sport completely. WKU intramural clubs offer a lot of options for sports that people play. These clubs allow you to compete in your sport of choosing and still receive that team experience that you would have had at your sending school.

Since my junior year, I have participated on Gatton’s intramural basketball team by the name of Florence Schneider Ball. Over these 2 years, I have had the ability to get closer with peers around me from Gatton while also playing the sport I love. Even in the games where we lost, it was still a great experience with my friends. The bond has been so strong that even when it is not during intramural season, we still organize to hoop with each other. During this most recent semester, our team made it to the semi-finals of the tournament! It was a close game that went to overtime, but we unfortunately lost by 1, 43-44. Even with the loss, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

As I said previously, even when it isn’t basketball season time, you are still able to play basketball at any time you please. On campus, there is the Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center where you can not only play basketball, but also enjoy the fitness center and classes, track, pool, and locker rooms. The center is open every day of the week and certain hours throughout the day, so you can attend any time you are able.

I strongly encourage participating in any club or intramural during your time here, whether it is basketball or not. You not only get enjoyment from the sport or club itself, but also friends that you can bond with outside of your leisure time. I have been able to meet some lifelong friends through the connection of just basketball, and it could be the same for anyone who decides to be a part of the community. I have felt at home, and while I may not be playing high school sports, I have felt as if my urge for it has still been fulfilled while being here. As they say, the possibilities are always endless.

By Gatton Academy

Family Matters

December 7, 2022 | 2022-2023, Avatars, Maria Pfeifer | 1 Comment

One of the challenges of coming to Gatton is staying connected with your family. Every student is different, with different attitudes toward how much they want to communicate with their family. For me, staying close to them was a huge priority.

I was born into a big family, having three older siblings. As I got older, that family grew, and I now have three younger siblings as well. I attribute everything about myself to my family, as they have shaped me into the person I am today.

TIPS FOR STAYING CLOSE TO YOUR FAMILY:

Get comfortable sharing about yourself! Whether you see your family in person or are on a phone call with them, you will get the classic, “What have you been up to?” question. Don’t shy away from it! Your family wants to hear from you!

Have the tough conversation(s) with your family. The easiest grounds for frustration come from a lack of communication on how much you want to communicate. Your parents may have their own expectations for communication that may not line up with yours.

Remember the big things…. Your family members will be so touched if you remember birthdays and anniversaries, so be sure to reach out at these times. Bonus points for grandparents.

…and ask about the small things! One of the hardest things about being away from your family is missing out on the small moments. While nothing replaces being with your family for these, make sure to ask about them, whether it be a younger sibling’s soccer game or the puzzle your dad is working on.

Set aside time for your family during closed weekends. Closed weekends are tough. Some Gatton students drive as many as 10 hours in one weekend to get home and back, while others live in Bowling Green. Either way, going home can be draining, so allow yourself a little bit of time to breathe, and then spend time with your family! The impulse is to spend time with our friends, and while that’s important, you’ll be with your family forever.

Be merciful with your younger siblings. There’s nothing like getting home after weeks of being in a new place and sleeping in your own bed for the first time only to be woken up by a five-year-old jumping on top of you. True story. Know that these moments where we find ourselves wanting to rip their heads off are moments to count to ten and smile because we have siblings that want to spend time with us.

Be active in the family group chat, and if you don’t have one, start one! Whether it’s talking about my brother’s garage band, my little sister stealing my mom’s phone to send emojis, or my dad complaining about large diet cokes no longer being $1 at McDonald’s, this group chat has been a huge source of small smiles throughout the day for me. It helps me feel connected to my family, and I know that my older siblings feel the same way.

Small phone calls! Gatton life can be busy, and sometimes it can be easier to take five minutes out of a few days each week to call your family members rather than a whole hour at once. Small phone calls can feel like passing conversations, which I love because it is almost like being back with your family. Walking to class is one of the perfect times to do this.

My older siblings were all able to come home for Labor Day and we got coffee with Gran!

By Gatton Academy

Newsweek Recognizes Gatton Academy as America’s Best High School

May 20, 2012 | News | No Comments

[fblike]

The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at WK U has been recognized byNewsweek magazine as the nation’s top high school.

America’s Best High Schools 2012, released online Sunday and in the May 28, 2012, print edition of the magazine recognized 1,000 schools from across the United States. The Gatton Academy was ranked fifth in 2011 list.

Rounding out the top five schools were The School for the Talented and Gifted Magnet (Dallas, Texas), BASIS Scottsdale (Arizona), School of Science and Engineering Magnet (Dallas, Texas), and BASIS Tucson (Arizona).

Newsweek’s methodology for their rankings sought to highlight schools that focus on providing solutions to the challenges of 21st century education and prepare students for both college and life. (To read more about the Newsweek list, visit http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/05/20/newsweek-ranks-kentucky-academy-as-america-s-top-high-school.html)

Each school’s score is comprised of six components: four-year, on-time graduation rate (25 percent), college matriculation rate (25 percent), Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) tests per student (25 percent), average SAT/ACT scores (10 percent), average AP or IB scores (10 percent), and AP courses offered (5 percent). (To view the complete list, visit http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/05/20/america-s-best-high-schools.html)

Dr. Julia Roberts, executive director of the Gatton Academy, explained that the components of the methodology reflect the high-level learning necessary for successful students in a globally-competitive society.

“The United States has emphasized proficiency or grade-level learning to the exclusion of nurturing the talents of advanced learners,” Dr. Roberts said. “A promising future for our country is closely tied to the development of talent in science, mathematics, languages arts, the social sciences, and the arts. The purpose of the Gatton Academy is to extend learning opportunities for gifted students who live in all parts of Kentucky.”

WKU President Dr. Gary Ransdell underscored the unique experiences available to Gatton Academy students and the role the campus community has in engaging students at the highest level.

“What a great tribute to everyone on our faculty and to the staff of the Gatton Academy,” Dr. Ransdell said. “The key has been the manner in which WKU faculty have involved these students in serious undergraduate research and opened up international experiences for them.”

Over half of Gatton Academy students engaged in study programs abroad during the previous academic year, with opportunities in Italy, the United Kingdom, Costa Rica, China, and Taiwan. Moreover, 91 percent of recent Gatton Academy graduates participated in a research project sponsored by a university faculty mentor.

The program’s strategic partnership with WKU plays an important role in the development of students both in and out of the classroom, according to Gatton Academy director Dr. Tim Gott.

“This recognition would not have been possible without the full partnership we have with Western Kentucky University,” Dr. Gott said. “Having access to top professors and instructors, the university’s research facilities, and the support of the administration provides a pathway for advanced Kentucky students to be on equal footing with others across from the United States.”

Corey Alderdice, assistant director for admissions and public relations, also noted the recognition is something that should be shared with the more than 100 public school districts in the state that have partnered with the Gatton Academy to engage students from 107 Kentucky counties since the program’s inception.

“At the core of its mission, the Gatton Academy acts as an extension of the nearly 200 public high schools is the state of Kentucky,” Alderdice said. “These students excel not only because of the opportunities they have been provided by the Academy but also because of the preparation and experiences they have pursued at the elementary, middle, and early high school level in their home districts.”

The Gatton Academy, which opened in 2007 and is funded by the Kentucky General Assembly, is the commonwealth’s only state-supported residential high school with an emphasis in math and science. Roberts added that the announcement is the culmination of over a decade of advocacy to make the program a reality for Kentucky students.

“Fifteen years ago the idea for what has become the Gatton Academy was put forward,” Dr. Roberts said. “Ten years of advocating preceded its opening. Being recognized as the top high school in the country by Newsweek at the conclusion of the Gatton Academy’s fifth year is a dream come true.”

Contact: Corey Alderdice, (270) 705-3632; Dr. Julia Roberts, (270) 745-6480 or (270) 991-6355; Dr. Tim Gott, (270) 745-3605 or (270) 307-0135.

By Corey Alderdice

Gatton Academy Students, Alumna Honored in Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Program

April 12, 2012 | Academics, Alumni, News, People, Research, Student Success, Students, WKU | No Comments

[fblike]

Since 2006, WKU has led the state in recognition by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program. This year, WKU placed among the top producers of Goldwater Scholars in the nation.

Michael Crocker, a second-year student in the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science from Bowling Green,; and Clarice Esch, an agriculture major and Gatton Academy alumna from Somerset, received scholarships to continue original research.

Lukas Missik, also a second-year student in the Gatton Academy from Danville, received an Honorable Mention in the national competition. Charles “Chadd” Coomer, a biology and chemistry double-major from Louisville, was WKU’s third award winner this year. Universities may nominate up to four students each year.

The students’ success stems from the emphasis placed on undergraduate research at WKU and in the Gatton Academy. Goldwater Scholars are selected based on their academic performance and potential for a research career.

“These students should be commended for demonstrating their future potential effectively through their outstanding research essays and research productivity to date,” said Dr. Kevin Williams, Goldwater faculty representative and associate professor of chemistry.

Each of the students worked closely with their mentors and the Office of Scholar Development to develop cogent applications, submitting numerous drafts over the course of several weeks. “The faculty who have effectively mentored these students in research and the classroom should be applauded for their efforts,” Dr. Williams said.

Established by the U.S. Congress in 1986 to recognize the former senator from Arizona, the scholarship program identifies and honors students who excel in and are pursuing research careers in the sciences, mathematics and engineering. Winners receive $7,500 annually with which they can pay for undergraduate tuition, fees, books and room and board.

WKU is one of 24 institutions where each scholar nominated was recognized by the program. Out of more than 1,100 applicants nationwide, only 282 were selected as scholars and fewer than 200 others received Honorable Mention recognition.

WKU President Gary A. Ransdell commended the students on their willingness to take on ambitious research projects.

“The success these students demonstrate through this recognition shows what can happen when you pair excellent students with a caring, wonderful faculty and the support system available at WKU,” he said. “This is a tribute to their hard work and determination and the guidance and support of their faculty mentors.”

(more…)

By Corey Alderdice

Academy Senior Lydia Brothers Discusses Scholarships as Part of “College Goal Sunday” at WKU

January 31, 2012 | Uncategorized | No Comments

By Corey Alderdice

Joyce Presents Research at World’s Largest Mathematics Meeting

January 19, 2012 | News, People, Research, Students, WKU | No Comments

What began as an independent research project for a student at WKU’s Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky recently led to a presentation at the largest annual mathematics meeting in the world.

Tennesse “Tucker” Joyce, a second-year Gatton Academy student from Harrodsburg, delivered an oral presentation titledUsing a Mathematical Model to Analyze the Treatment of a Wound Infection with Oxygen Therapy at the Mathematical Association of America and the American Mathematical Society’s 2012 Joint Mathematics Meeting on Jan. 6. The conference brought nearly 7,200 mathematicians from around the world together for four-days in Boston.

While Joyce has previously presented his research findings at student conferences, the Joint Mathematics Meeting put him on-stage in front of a different kind of audience.

Second-year Gatton Academy student Tennesse “Tucker” Joyce of Harrodsburg presented his mathematical modeling research at the 2012 Joint Mathematics Meeting in Boston on Jan. 6.

“It was a different experience than previous conferences I’ve been to,” Joyce said. “Though the audience was not much larger, the people watching were experts in my field. I received some great questions and input after the talk, and I got to focus more on the results and significance than I usually do because I did not have to explain the technical mathematics as much.”

Joyce’s research is directed by Dr. Richard Schugart, assistant professor inWKU’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. “Tucker is the most gifted student that I have worked with. A professor at another university described his work at the level of a master’s project. I believe Tucker has the potential to be a research mathematician should he choose that as a career path,” Schugart said.

The project uses mathematics to investigate what is an estimated $5 billion to $10 billion problem a year in the medical treatment community. “My research involves analyzing a mathematical model, developed by Dr. Schugart, to describe the interaction of different cell types in a chronic wound. I presented analytic and qualitative results as well as several numerically generated diagrams,” Joyce said.

Schugart added: “Ideally, we would like to use the model and the mathematics behind the model to identify the amount of supplemental oxygen needed to eliminate a bacterial infection from a chronic wound.”

WKU faculty such as Dr. Schugart mentor Gatton Academy students in independent, extra-curricular research projects each semester; 85 percent of Gatton Academy students participate in independent research before their graduation from the Academy.

For Joyce, his research experience is helping develop his plans. “Research sounded cool to apply my knowledge to a problem with direct real-world significance,” he said. “My work on this project has shown me that I am interested in applied math, and I have recently been looking into that as a possible major in college and possibly a career.”

About the Gatton Academy: The Gatton Academy offers a residential program for bright, highly motivated Kentucky high school students who have demonstrated interest in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Sixty students each year are admitted to the program through a competitive process. Instead of spending their junior and senior years in traditional high schools, students enroll in the Gatton Academy and live in a uniquely dedicated residence hall. The goals of the Gatton Academy are to enable Kentucky’s exceptional young scientists and mathematicians to learn in an environment that offers advanced educational opportunities and to prepare them for leadership roles in Kentucky. At the end of two years, Gatton Academy students will have earned at least 60 college credit hours in addition to completing high school. In 2011, Newsweek magazine ranked the Gatton Academy fifth nationally among all public high schools as part of their annual “America’s Best High Schools” listing.

Contact: Corey Alderdice, (270) 745-2971.

By Corey Alderdice

Academy Students, Alumni among WKU Biology Students Contributing Research to National DNA Database

November 4, 2011 | Academics, Alumni, News, People, Research, Students, WKU | No Comments

[fblike]

Students in the WKU Biology Department’s Genome Discovery and Exploration class have contributed genomic research to the national DNA sequence database.

Students in the class isolate viruses from soil, purify the viral DNA, then sequence and annotate the viral genome. This unique hands-on, inquiry-based program is sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science Education Alliance and is designed to engage new undergraduates in the process of doing scientific research.

Through their efforts in this yearlong research experience, the participating students ultimately contribute new information to the scientific community.

Three newly discovered genomes characterized and annotated by the Genome Discovery and Exploration students were recently released by Genbank, the national DNA sequence database. The type of viruses that were isolated are called bacteriophages; viruses that specifically infect bacterial cells. The students named the newly discovered phages Backyardigan, TiroTheta9 andBarrelRoll.

“The characterization of new viral genomes provides insights into the diversity and evolution of bacteriophages which are the most numerous biological entities on the planet,” said Dr. Rodney King, associate professor of biology.

The WKU students who contributed to the annotation of the viral genomes are as follows (* denotes Gatton Academy student):

Bacteriophage Backyardigan (Released August 2011) — Courtney Howard* of Radcliff; Prasanna Parthasarathy of India; Ejike Anyanwu of Washington, D.C.; Kaitlyn Cole of Lawrenceburg; Karlee Driver of Lafayette, Tenn.; Elizabeth Farnsworth* of Burlington; Benjamin Howard* of Morehead; Brittney Howard* of Radcliff; Jordan Olberding of Oceanside, Calif.; Mackenzie Perkins of Hopkinsville; Heidi Sayre of Lawrenceburg; Tyler Scaff* of LaGrange; Sarah Schrader* of Bowling Green; and Cynthia Tope* of Burlington.
Bacteriophage TiroTheta9 (Released August 2011) — Sarah Schrader* of Bowling Green and Prasanna Parthasarathy of India.
Bacteriophage BarrelRoll (Released September 2011) — Benjamin Rice* of Somerset; Akhila Bethi of India; Lee Calvert of Albemarle, N.C.; Charles Coomer of Louisville; Andrea Eastes* of Mayfield; Erin Eaton of Crestwood; John Faughn of Bowling Green; Alex Gutierrez* of Mount Washington; Anthony Gutierrez* of Mount Washington; Samantha Hawtrey* of Union; George Jones of Central City; Mackenzie Jones of Campbellsville; Zimple Kurlawala of India; Taylor Leet* of Louisville; Lori Lovell* of Louisville; Kaysi Phillips of Nashville, Tenn.; Lori Shoup of Frankfort; Aaron Stolze* of Somerset; Erin Walch* of Alexandria; Eric Westerman of Sebree; Makka Wheeler* of Guthrie; Spencer Wright of Lexington; and Prasanna Parthasarathy of India.

The complete annotated genomic sequences can be viewed online at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/

Contact: Rodney King, (270) 745-6910.

By Corey Alderdice

Academy Seniors Share Research at Argonne National Laboratory

October 24, 2011 | Academics, News, People, Research, Students, WKU | No Comments

[fblike]

by Will Bickett, Academy Avatar

A group of second-year students at the Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at WKU presented their physics research at Argonne National Laboratory’s Annual Undergraduate Symposium.

Will Bickett, Lydia Brothers, Andrea Eastes, Christian Jolly, and Ben Rice, along with a group of other WKU students were selected by the Department of Physics and Astronomy to share their findings.Students not only got the chance to tour the immense facility and see firsthand the ground-breaking research being done there, but also to give talks about their research and attend a variety of other presentations.

The Argonne National Laboratory is the oldest and one of the most prestigious of the nation’s research facilities. With its roots reaching back to the Manhattan Project, Argonne has been the birthplace of countless discoveries and marvels of human innovation. Since 1946, Argonne National Lab has vastly broadened its initiatives to include Hard X-Ray Sciences, Leadership Computing, Materials for Energy, Electrical Energy Storage, Alternate Energy and Efficiency, Electrical Energy Storage, Nuclear Energy, Biological and Environmental Systems, and National Security. The Laboratory also houses the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System or (ATLAS) which is the world’s first superconducting particle accelerator and the Advanced Photon Source or (APS) which is a massive synchrotron X-Ray research facility that produces the world’s largest and brightest X-Rays.

“The APS was by far one of the most impressive research facilities I’ve ever seen,” said Jolly. ” The sheer amount and variety of research done was very inspiring to me as an upcoming astrophysicist. Surprisingly enough, I also really enjoyed the biology talks done at the conference. They were fascinating and very well done.”

Jolly wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the conference and the lab though. All the students vastly appreciated the opportunity to participate in an event at one of our nation’s most prominent research labs.

The trip was hardly all work and no play though. Students lived like Chicagoans and dined on Giordano’s famous Chicago-style stuffed pizza, Portillo’s Hot Dogs, and other fine Chicago favorites. As a reward for their excellent work in presenting on Friday, Students were set free in the Windy City on Saturday to be blown about and throughout. After being dropped off on Chicago’s number one tourist attraction or Navy Pier, Academy students bought Chicago Go-Cards and set out. Traveling by trolley, students rode in style through the crowded streets while listening to the bizarre and insightful facts provided by the fabulous tour guides. Students also ascended to the tops of both the sky-scraping Willis Tower and John-Hancock Building, placing themselves at the paramount of the famous Chicago Sky-line. Academy students, being typical nerds, finished up the day exploring the first planetarium built in the Western Hemisphere, Adler Planetarium, and the U.S.’s largest indoor aquarium, Shedd Aquarium.

When asked about the trip, Eastes added that the research and social experiences for the trip were “world class.”

“Argonne is world class facility where cutting edge research is taking place every day,” Eastes said. “Seeing where this is happening and learning about exciting research being done by other undergraduates while sharing my research was a fantastic experience. The icing on the cake was definitely having time to explore Chicago, visit places like the Hancock building, the skydeck, the shed aquarium, Navy Pier, Adler planetarium, and have pretty amazing trolley tours of the city.”

So if you ever find yourself with the chance to visit the Chicago area, be sure to stop by Argonne, you might need security clearance first though and check out those world class facilities. Also, swing by downtown Chicago and see the sights, but be sure to never ask for ketchup on your hot dog.

Visit these links if you want to learn more about:

The Argonne National Lab: http://www.dep.anl.gov/index.html

The Jeweler’s Building or other famous Chicago Architecture: http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Building/1064/35-East-Wacker-Drive.php

Adler Planetarium: http://www.adlerplanetarium.org/

Or Shedd Aquarium: http://www.sheddaquarium.org/

By Corey Alderdice

Recent News

Tag Archive : WKU