Recently, we met on the campus of Kentucky State University (KSU).  In the process of planning this years' annual meeting, activities, and participation for the Junior Academy (that is middle and high school students), one of our topics is figuring out how to reach more students in more schools across the state.  Currently, we are targeting the schools closest to our meeting site each fall and hope to bring those schools along us on our trek around the state.  It has been a while since we have had our meeting at KSU and we invite those Junior Academy students to join us.  If you are working on a science research project or just want to see what other students have been doing, keep an eye on our website (kyscience.org) for registration information coming in August.  Need help getting started?  Let us know and we will help you find a mentor.

Hi, KAS! My name is Melissa Dougherty and I am the new Science Communication Specialist for the Kentucky Academy of Science. I started this position in April and am excited to be managing social media, assisting with the newsletter, and so much more. My work for KAS is centered around sharing the science that is happening here in the Commonwealth!  

It is my goal to shine a spotlight on the innovative education and ground-breaking research that is happening right here in our state! If you have work you would like to share, please reach out to me at scicomm@kyscience.org so we can chat! I look forward to getting to know the membership of KAS through this position!

I am an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Hopkinsville Community College (HCC). Born and raised in northwest Ohio, I earned my B.S. in Chemistry from Otterbein University in Westerville, OH in 2014 and my M.S. in Chemistry from Miami University in Oxford, OH in 2016. I moved to Christian County, KY in 2016 while my husband, Jacob, was stationed at Fort Campbell and I began teaching at HCC in 2017. I loved my research and have several publications, but teaching and making science understandable and accessible to students is my passion. Jacob and I have a four-year-old son and two dogs, who make quite the entertaining trio and keep us busy! I have been a member of KAS since 2018.

Interested in exploring a career in science policy? On June 1, STPF will begin accepting applications for fellowships in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the US Government. Fellows who are selected will join a community of over 4,000 alumni spanning 50 plus years. Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria - including holding a qualifying degree - by the application deadline, November 1.

Review Eligibility

Preparing to apply? Join AAAS for the 2024 Live Chats - a series of webinars designed specifically for STPF applicants.

Development of the Sixth National Climate Assessment (NCA6) is underway. The NCA is a Congressionally mandated report on climate change in the United States, published by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). USGCRP recently released its first public announcement about NCA6, which includes a call for author nominations, comment on the draft prospectus, and technical inputs. Please spread the word. 
 
USGCRP is accepting author nominations, comments on the draft prospectus, and technical inputs through its Public Contribution System. Author nominations and comments on the draft prospectus are due by June 7, 2024. Technical inputs may be submitted over the next several years, but earlier submissions are more likely to be considered. 
 
Call for authors and leads: USGCRP is seeking nominations for authors with climate-related expertise in physical, biological, and/or social sciences, as well as Indigenous knowledge. We encourage participation from scientists and practitioners across all non-governmental sectors, as well as federal employees. Selection criteria for author positions will consider expertise, disciplinary background, and geographic representation – all career levels are encouraged to apply. Individuals interested in being considered for chapter leadership positions should have experience leading collaborative teams under deadlines. 
 
Call for comment on the draft prospectus: The draft prospectus lays out the overall plan for the assessment, including its scope and the topics covered. Public review at this early stage is vital to the future direction of the report. If you are not familiar with the comment submission website, basic instructions are available here.
 
Call for technical inputs: USGCRP is seeking submissions of climate-related scientific and/or technical information such as peer-reviewed and other published literature, relevant datasets, and all forms of Indigenous knowledge. 
 
For more information, please see the attached background document or join our May 9 informational webinar. The webinar recording will also be posted to the USGCRP website.
 
If you have any questions, please be in touch with our National Climate Assessment Staff Scientist, Aaron Grade (agrade@usgcrp.gov). Please join our newsletter to receive future NCA6 updates.