Our annual Ad Astra Kansas Galaxy Forum is back this year! But with a new twist!

It is at the University of Kansas! Four great talks and planetarium presentations!  This event is free and open to the public.

With a theme of “Generations of Space Innovators" we are going to have talks by former astronaut Dr. Steve Hawley; then from our 2026  Ad Astra Kansas Space Scholarship winners:  Katie Sheriff  (Graduate Student from Physics and Astronomy (University of Kansas)), Lucciana Caceres Holgado (Undergrad Student from Physics and Astronomy (University of Kansas)) and Patrick Hauser (Undergrad Student from Wichita State University - Aerospace Engineering).  Afterwards Physics and Astronomy (University of Kansas) will have a planetarium set up for presentations you can view for free!

Dr. Steve Hawley's talk is: "An Astronomer's Journey".

Katie Sheriff’s talk is :  “Some Stars are Terrible Neighbors”.

Lucciana Holgado’s talk is: “A World of Extreme Heat: Uncovering the Atmosphere of (exoplanet) TOI –2109b”

Patrick Hauser’s talk is: “Starting the high school club: Manhattan Aeronautics and Space Administration (MASA)” which he co-founded in 2024 at USD 383.

This event  aims to share with the public, as well as teachers and students, the cutting edge space science being done by brilliant students at Kansas Universities.

Galaxy Forum to shine light on astronomy researchers

LAWRENCE, Kan. — “Generations of Space Innovators” will be the theme of the 2026  Ad Astra Kansas  Galaxy Forum on Saturday, October 10, at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

 The free public event , which includes planetarium viewing, will showcase the 2026 Ad Astra Kansas Foundation Space Scholarship award winners.

The featured speaker will be retired astronaut and Kansan Steve Hawley presenting “An Astronomer’s Journey”.

Next, University of Kansas doctoral student Kaitlin Sheriff explains why “Some Stars Are Terrible Neighbors” and KU undergrad Lucciano Caceres Holgado touches on “”A World of Extreme Heat”. Wichita State University freshman Patrick Huser will present “Starting the High School Club: Manhattan Aeronautical and Space Administration (MASA),” which he co-founded in 2024 at USD 383.

Presentations will run from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, October 10, followed by planetarium shows from 2:30 to 4 p.m. The speeches will be in Slawson Hall, Room G192, 1420 Naismith Drive, Lawrence.  The planetarium is in Slawson room G174H. The event is co-sponsored by the KU Dept. of Physics and Astronomy.

About the Ad Astra Kansas Foundation

The Ad Astra Kansas Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2001. Its mission is to advance the Kansas state motto, “To the stars through difficulties,” by promoting space science and education. This is the second year of the Ad Astra Kansas Foundation Space Scholarship awards.

Now accepting applications and nominations for Kansas Geological Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award!  

$2000 cash award presented to a high school Earth Sciences teacher who demonstrates excellence, innovation, and a passion for teaching the dynamic Earth.

KATS Kamp Call for Presenters

Dear Kansas Science Teachers,

If you would like to present at the upcoming KATS Kamp on September 19, 2026, at Emporia State University please click on the Google form link below and fill out your information.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdd1oKzXgPH5QmZzY5Y4e1df1-zL6g7X7oczyU8_uDsBsKrpw/viewform?usp=header

KATS Kamp registration is now live! Go to the events page to register. KATS Kamp will be held in Hutchinson, KS at the cosmosphere. If you need a hotel for Friday, September 19, 2025- Sunday, September 21, 2025, we have a group rate at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Hutchinson for 139.00 USD per night. The last day to book is Monday, August 25, 2025. The link below will take you to the secure hotel website. 

Book your group rate for Kansas Association of Teachers of Science

KATS Kamp Call for Presenters

Dear Kansas Science Teachers,

If you would like to present at the upcoming KATS Kamp on September 20, 2025, at the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson KS, please click on the Google form link below and fill out your information.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYWdm1-tLCfRdeF7fQjZg3YNUwk2piOn4nKIUTcWyFE0ac2w/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106202135094726582286

As of Thursday morning, Feb 23, I have submitted my resignation as webmaster and reasons for resigning to the executive committee of the KATS board.  I appreciate the opportunity to work with the KATS organization over the past years and am confident that a replacement will be named soon.  

Sincerely, 

Randy Brull 

 On Wednesday, February 22, the Kansas Senate will have a floor debate on Senate Bill 3, which would designate the Silvisaurus Condrayi as the official state land fossil. This bill was generated by students in Kansas and it will be exciting to watch the bill being debated LIVE!

 

If you would like to tune into the debate, it begins at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22 and can be viewed by using this link - https://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00287/Harmony/en/PowerBrowser/RoomRouter?location=senate&viewMode=1#handoutFile_.

The event should last about 10-15 minutes.

 

I hope that your school will be able to watch this event and learn how a bill moves towards becoming a law in Kansas.

--Meg Richard, KSDE Science

KATS Kamp Call for Presenters

Dear Kansas Science Teachers,

If you would like to present at the upcoming KATS Kamp on April 22, 2023, at Wichita State University, please click on the Google form link below and fill out your information.

https://forms.gle/ofoE1jTYaVpRzzEY8

Thank You!

Julie Bergkamp, President-Elect

Kansas Association of Teachers of Science

president-elect@kats.org

913-481-9467 (c)

I hope this finds you well, warm and in a spirit of wonder- If you haven't been outside to see the comet yet... friends, it's a MUST!!!  In this edition of the KSDE Science newsletter there are a couple of pieces I would really like to draw your attention to;

1.  PLEASE COMPLETE THIS QUICK SURVEY to help KSDE Science better meet your needs: https://forms.gle/qVYLHEoCqKUVXhdQ9 
2. Consider signing up to be part of a Competency Team (LINK) or to Unpack the Standards (LINK)
3. The Career Standards and Assessment Program Manager team is seeking additional individuals to join the 23'-24' group of KSDE Teacher Leaders!!! Apply Here: https://forms.gle/L8oWwzeJMqYeguKY8 

    

   
   

 

In addition to those pieces please also note the multiple grant opportunities for courses that are (or could lead to) a student's CTE pathway, Professional Learning opportunities for summer and more!

Click here (LINK) to read the entire February edition of the KSDE Science newsletter.

 

Please let me know if I can help in any way and thank you for all you do!

Meg

 

 

 

	Meg Richard, NBCT, PAEMST 19' Education Program Manager - K-12 STEM Education Career, Standards and Assessment Services (785) 296-8108 mrichard@ksde.org www.ksde.org
	Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.
The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: KSDE General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, KSDE, Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66612, (785) 296-3201.

	Meg Richard, NBCT, PAEMST 19' Education Program Manager - K-12 STEM Education Career, Standards and Assessment Services (785) 296-8108 mrichard@ksde.org www.ksde.org
	Kansas leads the world in the success of each student.
The Kansas State Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: KSDE General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, KSDE, Landon State Office Building, 900 S.W. Jackson, Suite 102, Topeka, KS 66612, (785) 296-3201.

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Please join me next week, Wednesday February 8^th from 11:30-12:15 to learn more about our Kansas/NGSS Aligned Core Science Curriculum, Twig Science. This short webinar will provide a high level overview of how our K-8 curriculum can support our students here in Kansas.  Thank you,

Lindsay Stutzman, EdS  ...more...

Lindsay Stutzman, Ed.S

Kansas Account Executive Courseware: Edgenuity & Odysseyware K-12 Core ELA, Math, & Science: EL Education, Ilustrative Math, Twig Supplemental & Intervention: Imagine Lang. & Lit, Imagine Math, & MyPath

816.694.1312

lindsay.stutzman@imaginelearning.com