Kentucky Junior Academy of Science





November 21-22, 2025 University of Louisville

2026 Junior Academy DelegatesMalleshwar Jayaraman Suresh

Congratulations to these 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

Agastya MishraDONATE HERE to support these 7 students' trip to AJAS in Phoenix

Congressional District 1

Malleshwar Jayaraman Suresh, Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science
"Metabolic Reprogramming of Inflammatory Macrophages Through PPAR-Alpha to Promote Digit Regeneration"

Congressional District 2

Agastya Mishra and Pratham Tippi (District 3),  duPont Manual High School
"Quantifying Altitudinal Variation in Atmospheric Particulate Concentrations"

Congressional District 3

Ajay Sutaria, duPont Manual High SchoolPratham Tippi
"Real-Time Pressure Mapping & Personalized 3D-Printed Orthotics for Low-Cost Diabetic Neuropathy Detection & Prevention"

Chaturya Paladugu, duPont Manual High School
"Full Development and Validation of an Accessible, Rapid Calcium Monitoring Diagnostic"
Ajay Sutaria
Congressional District 4
Tadinada Gopalaniket, North Oldham High School
"RecuNet: A Novel, Low-Cost, & Automated Pipeline for the Spatiotemporal Prediction of Brain Tumor Recurrence"

Congressional District 5
No Delegate from District 5

Congressional District 6Sree Paladugu

Chris Gachagua, Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science
"Assessing the Effects of Persulfate Oxidation on Fluorescent Tracers"

What does it mean to be a Kentucky Junior Academy delegate?

HS students who present an Oral Presentation about their research are eligible to be considered to serve as a Kentucky Delegate to the American Junior Academy of Science. KAS will cover registration, travel and accommodations for at least 6 students in 2026 and KAS will provide adult chaperones.



All young scientists are welcome! 

Middle & High School students who are doing research and want to present it are invited to submit their abstract when registering,  and present their research as a talk or poster.

The Kentucky Academy of Science selects  high school delegates each year to represent Kentucky at the American Junior Academy of Science.

The 2026 American Junior Academy of Science Meeting will be Feb 11-14 in Phoenix, Arizona in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

View photos from AJAS in Boston,  February 2025

Junior Academy presenters:  All students will need to upload a waiver signed by a parent or guardian when submitting your abstract.
If you are a HS student submitting an abstract to present an oral presentation, you will also need to upload a consent form signed by your High School when submitting your abstract.
Registration for K-12 teachers and students is free

The Kentucky Junior Academy is part of the Kentucky Academy of Science Annual Meeting

Friday daytime activities, November 21
9am-12 noon DNA Demonstration by Spalding University students- Student Activities Center
9am-12 noon Scientific talks - Student Activities Center
12 noon - 1:15pm STEM Careers Lunch with scientists- Student Activities Center
1:30-3:30pm Kentucky Science Center demonstrations- Belknap Academic Building
1:30-3:30pm Poster session - Belknap Academic Building

4pm - 6pm University of Louisville "Lab Crawl" to visit labs (Minors must be supervised)
6pm -8:30pm Evening reception at Speed School ESSR Engineering building and MakerSpace

Saturday Nov 22 all day
9:00 am Keynote Speaker Dr. Joel Brown - Student Activities Center
10:30am - 4:30pm Scientific talks 



Become a Junior Academy Member
Student membership in the Junior Academy of Science is $5
Members receive special announcements & opportunities


We are seeking Sponsors at the $500 level or above to support Delegates travel and participation in Phoenix in 2026 Contact us about becoming a Sponsor



Middle & High School Students:
Are you interested in doing research in your classroom, at home, or at a Kentucky Field Station?  We can match you with a scientist mentor. Find out more about KAS Mentor Match

Teachers:
KJAS Registration is free for K12 Teachers,
Are you interested in doing research in your classroom, at home, or at a Kentucky Field Station?  We can match you with a scientist mentor. Find out more about KAS Mentor Match

Scientists:
We're calling on KAS member scientists to serve as mentors:  Find out more about KAS Mentor Match

Junior Academy Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why should I participate?

A: This is a great opportunity to think about doing science research, see other people's research,  meet scientists and fellow students,  expand a science fair project, and find out about STEM career options. if you're a student who loves STEM, you should join us!

Q: What kind of research can students present at the Ky Junior Academy of Science?

A: Presentations at the fall meeting are based on research done by the student independently, in conjunction with a mentor,  or as a member of a class or research team. Presentations may be about research projects that are currently in progress. Students do not have to present research to participate in the Junior Academy of Science meeting.

Q: How do students present research at the Ky Junior Academy of Science?

A: High School students have the option of making either an oral or poster presentation, but high school students who want to be considered to serve as a delegate representing Kentucky to the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) should plan to give an oral presentation. Middle school students are invited to present posters of their research projects. All presenters register for the KAS Annual Meeting, and then submit an abstract about their research by October 13. Follow our KAS / KJAS Abstract & Presentation Guidelines if you plan to present research.

Q: Are there prizes?

A: Some high school students giving an Oral Presentation will be invited to represent KJAS as delegates to the national meeting of the American Junior Academy of Science (AJAS) meeting in February 2026. KAS will provide financial support for the top students to participate at this national meeting.

About the Kentucky Junior Academy of Science

Did you know...

  • The Kentucky Junior Academy of Science (KJAS) began in the 1930's with a goal of fostering an interest in science for high school students in Kentucky?
  • This program eventually expanded to include middle school students?
  • The previous model revolved around a spring meeting of middle and high school students and has now been expanded to become an integral part of the Kentucky Academy of Science (KAS) fall meeting?
  • Any middle & high school students interested in science can participate
  • Middle and high school students may also make presentations if they are doing research
  • KAS can help match up interested students with a research mentor or research project no matter where you are.




Kentucky Junior Academy Director
Melony Stambaugh
email
 
Kentucky Junior Academy of Science
 
 
 

Annual Meeting Links 2025

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