All Ogden Outreach Activities
To schedule one or more of the Ogden Departmental Outreach activities listed below, feel free to contact us by telephone at 270-745-4449 or click the "Make A Request" button on the Ogden Outreach homepage. Scheduling or getting more information can also be done with the contact person listed with each activity.
AGRICULTURE: http://www.wku.edu/agriculture/
FFA Field Day (Event)
Held in April at the L.D. Brown Exposition Center for High School students. WKU Department of Agriculture constructs several contests on the farm and campus in which FFA students from Kentucky, southern Indiana, and northern Tennessee counties will compete. Some contest examples are: livestock judging, welding, soil judging, etc. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu. Link: http://wku.edu/agriculture/field_day.php
A.S.S.E.T. (Agriculture Students Striving for Effective Tomorrows) (Camp)
Held in June at the L.D. Brown Exposition Center. Upcoming high school seniors attend a leadership conference where students live on campus for four nights. Workshops, etiquette dinners, industry tours, and other activities help build leadership skills while educating the students about WKU's Ag program. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu. A.S.S.E.T. Link: http://www.wku.edu/agriculture/assetconference.php
Early Admission Open House (Event)
Held in December at the L.D. Brown Exposition Center. High school seniors attend early admission program for students interested in Ag. Informational workshops are provided for students and parents. Financial aid, housing, etc. is discussed. Campus and farm tours are also given to participants. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu.
FFA Paperwork Day (Event)
Held in March at the L.D. Brown Exposition Center and Downing Student Union (DSU). High school juniors and seniors and high school Agriculture teachers attend. Students are interviewed on campus for District FFA and State FFA officer positions. Regional FFA proficiencies and state degrees are judged and ranked. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu.
Barren River Fall Leadership CDE (Event)
Held in December at the L.D. Brown Exposition Center and Environmental Science and Technology Hall (EST). High school FFA students and Agriculture teachers attend the Barren River Regional Fall Leadership Career Development Events (CDE). Students compete in FFA contests which include welding, Ag sales, AIC, Junior Parliamentary procedure, and Job Interview Contest. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu.
FFA Ag. Mech. Prep (Event)
Held in October at the WKU Farm. High School students attend in order to prepare for the upcoming FFA contest under guidance of a WKU Instructor. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu.
State 4-H Livestock Skill-a-thon contest (Event)
Held in February at the L.D. Brown Exposition Center. Elementary through high school students. 4-H members participate in several livestock related identification contests. This is the sate 4-H contest for these areas. Winner moves on to the national contest. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu.
Block and Bridle Winter Classic (Event)
Held in February at the L.D. Brown Exposition Center. Middle and high school students attend. 4-H and FFA students show cattle in different classes. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu.
South Central KY 4-H Horse Camp (Camp)
Held in April at the L.D. Brown Exposition Center. Elementary through high school students attend. 4-H students camp and participate in education programs related to equine shows and contests. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu.
KY Junior Livestock Expo (Event)
Held in July at the L.D. Brown Exposition Center. Elementary through high school students attend. This is one of three events in the state hosted by the KY Department of Agriculture. Participants compete in livestock judging and showing contests. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu.
High School Rodeo (Event)
Held in October at the L.D. Brown Exposition Center. High School students compete. Participants need to be from KY, IN, and TN in order to compete in rodeo events. Winners advance to the national finals. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu.
District 5 4-H Horse Show (Event)
Held in May at the L.D. Brown Exposition Center. Elementary through high school students attend. Participants show equine. Winners qualify for state finals. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu.
District 6 4-H Horse Show (Event)
Held in June at the L.D. Brown Exposition Center. Elementary through high school students attend. Participants show equine. Winners qualify for state finals. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu.
Soil Science Training for Enviro-thon Competition (Event)
Held in February, March and April at the University Farm. High school students will attend at each meeting. Participants are trained in basic physical soil properties. This information helps students prepare for regional contest. Please contact Lindsay DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu.
Group Farm Tours (Field Trip)
Held year round at the University Farm. Call to schedule. Students of all ages and grade levels are welcome. Agriculture Ambassadors give farm tours to groups from elementary classes to high school FFA chapters. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu. WKU Farm link: http://www.wku.edu/farm/
Individual Farm Tours (Field Trip)
Held year round at the University Farm. Call to schedule. High school juniors and seniors attend. Agriculture Ambassadors give farm tours to students and their parents. These students are considering enrolling at WKU and majoring in the filed of Agriculture. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu. WKU Farm link: http://www.wku.edu/farm/
4H/FFA - Floral Design (Event)
Held year round at the Floral Design Center. Call to schedule. High school and middle school students attend. Students participate in floral workshops. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270)745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu or Deborah Gabbard at (270) 745-3382 or deborah.gabbard@wku.edu.
Potential Student Tours (Field Trip/Tour)
Held year round at the Baker Arboretum. Call to schedule. Open to potential WKU
Agriculture students interested in Horticulture. Students are given a tour of the
Baker Arboretum. Please contact DeAnna Durrant at (270) 745-3151 or deanna.durrant@wku.edu. Baker Arboretum link: http://www.wku.edu/bakerarboretum/visit.php
BIOLOGY: http://www.wku.edu/biology/
School group tours and field trips (Field Trip/Tour)
Held year round at various locations. Contact Cassandra Cantrell for more information at (270) 745-4187 or cassandra.cantrell@wku.edu.
Admissions recruitments (Field Trip)
Held year round typically at Thompson Complex Center Wing (TCCW), Engineering and Biological Sciences building (EBS), and Snell Hall (SH). Contact Cassandra Cantrell for more information at (270) 745-4187 or cassandra.cantrell@wku.edu.
Elementary school outreach (School Visit)
Held year round at area elementary schools. Contact Cassandra Cantrell at (270) 745-4187 or cassandra.cantrell@wku.edu.
High School Career Fair (Event)
Held year round at area high schools. Contact Cassandra Cantrell at (270) 745-4187 or cassandra.cantrell@wku.edu.
Green River Biological Preserve tours (Field Trip/Tour)
Contact Dr. Albert Meier for more information at (270) 791-9442 or albert.meier@wku.edu. Link for WKU Green River Preserve website is: http://www.wku.edu/greenriver/
CHEMISTRY: http://www.wku.edu/chemistry/
Cub Scout and Boy Scout mentoring for pins and badges (School Visit)
Chemistry faculty can be available as a Chemistry Merit Badge counselor, and to do the Webelos and Arrow of Light elective "Adventures in Science." Contact Dr. Stuart Burris in the Chemistry Department for more information at stuart.burris@wku.edu or (270) 745-3457.
EARTH, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES: http://www.wku.edu/eeas/
Geocache Field Trips (Field Trip)
Contact Kevin Cary at (270) 745-2981 or kevin.cary@wku.edu or Scott Dobler at (270) 745-7078 or scott.dobler@wku.edu for more information about scheduling a Geocache field trip to WKU.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) field trips (Field Trip)
Contact Kevin Cary at (270) 745-2981 or kevin.cary@wku.edu or Dr. Jun Yan at (270) 745-8952 or jun.yan@wku.edu for more information about scheduling a GIS field trip to WKU.
Kentucky Geography Bee (Event)
Students in grades four through eight may participate. Schools can register for the next competition starting in August. Early bird registration starts at $100 per school. For more information about the Kentucky GeoBee go to https://sites.google.com/site/kentuckstatebee/. You may also contact the state coordinator for the Kentucky Bee, Amy Nemon, at (270) 745-3082 or amy.nemon@wku.edu.
GIS Club Outreach (Field Trip)
Contact Kevin Cary at (270) 745-2981 or kevin.cary@wku.edu or Dr. Jun Yan at (270) 745-8952 or jun.yan@wku.edu for more information about scheduling a GIS field trip to WKU.
WKU Student Chapter of the AMS/NWA - Public School Lecture Series (School Visit)
Members of the WKU Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society/National Weather Association are available to visit schools to discuss meteorology topics. Contact Dr. Josh Durkee at (270) 745-8777 or joshua.durkee@wku.edu for more information about scheduling a school visit or field trip. Site: http://www.wku.edu/meteorology/amsnwachapter.php
WKU StormToppers Network Outreach (Field Trip/Tour)
For more information and to schedule tour/field trip, contact Dr. Josh Durkee at (270) 745-8777 or joshua.durkee@wku.edu.
WKU Weather Camp - Middle School (Camps)
Members of the Meteorology Club at WKU host and run this summer camp. For more information, contact Dr. Josh Durkee at (270) 745-8777 or joshua.durkee@wku.edu.
College Heights Atmospheric Observatory for Students (CHAOS) - (Field Trips)
For more information and to schedule tour/field trip, contact Dr. Josh Durkee at (270) 745-8777 or joshua.durkee@wku.edu.
Green River Grotto
The grotto is the WKU Student Chapter of the National Speleological Society. They often serve the community by mapping caves in the region, visiting property of concerned citizens who want caves or sinkholes on their property explored, communicating about the cave and karst science with the public, etc. Their Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/groups/greenrivergrotto/. For more information contact the WKU faculty advisor Dr. Jason Polk at (270) 745-5015 or jason.polk@wku.edu.
Science Day School Visits - Fossils (School Visits)
For more information contact Dr. Andrew Wulff at (270) 745-5976 or andrew.wulff@wku.edu.
Science Day School Visits - Rocks and Minerals (School Visits)
For more information contact Dr. Andrew Wulff at (270) 745-5976 or andrew.wulff@wku.edu.
Kentucky Mesonet (School Visits or Field Trips)
The Kentucky Mesonet is a research-grade environmental monitoring network that offers reliable weather and climate data to serve diverse needs in communities across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Data from the Kentucky Mesonet in every K-12 classroom throughout the Commonwealth to support science and math education. For more information or to schedule a site visit or tour, contact Megan Schargorodski, operations manager for the Kentucky Mesonet, at (270) 745-4567 or megan.ferris@wku.edu. For more information about lesson plans, contact Scott Dobler, project manager and education outreach contact, at (270) 745-7078 or scott.dobler@wku.edu. Mesonet links: www.kymesonet.org or http://www.wku.edu/kymesonet/aboutkymesonet.php.
Kentucky Geographic Alliance (KGA) - Host school groups - geography, weather, GIS (Field Trips or School Visits)
The Kentucky Geographic Alliance (KGA) under the umbrella of the National Geographic Society, was established in 1987 as a partnership of K-12 teachers and academic geographers dedicated to improving the geographic literacy of Kentucky school children. The KGA distributes supplies to teachers and offers workshops, which highlight important aspects of geography in the curriculum. Examples of hosted events include: GIS teacher training, online GIS teacher training, AP Human Geography teacher workshops, and pre-service teacher workshops.
In addition, the KGA coordinates the lending of the Kentucky Giant State Travelling Map, issues Kentucky in the News to all registered teachers in the state monthly, provides Geography Awareness Week activities for teachers, offers aid for the National Geography Bee, and distributes National Geographic Society maps to K-12 teachers.
****We are interested in hosting student groups that are touring the campus for geography, weather, and GIS activities.****
For more information or to schedule a tour/field trip contact Jill Brown, KGA Co-director, at (270) 745-7078 or jill.brown@wku.edu. KGA link: http://www.kga.org/index. You can also follow us on social media through Facebook and Twitter.
MATHEMATICS: http://www.wku.edu/math/
Middle and High School Math Talks (School Visits or Field Trips)
The WKU Department of Mathematics offers a number of talks on math topics that would be suitable for middle school and high school students. The talks can be offered on campus during a visit or possibly the speaker can visit your school.
The Math of Projective Motion - a Nerf dart gun rig, dubbed by the speaker as "the Mathinator" (Algebra II background, trig would be nice but not necessary.)
Seeing Sounds - a guitar and some Fourier transform tricks
Beautiful Mathematics - a graphical description of Newton's method, leading to the generation of some really cool fractals (Algebra II background)
A Tutorial on Chaos and Fractals -- an introduction to a mathematical definition of "dimension", and geometric structures that have non-integer dimensions. The relationship between chaos, fractals, and randomness is explored with images.
The Birthday Bet - an explanation of the birthday paradox, with the possibility of the speaker wearing a very silly wig.
An Impossible Problem - an example of how simple assumptions and diligence can help solve a seemingly unsolvable problem due to a lack of needed information (Calculus background).
For more information or to schedule a Math Talk, contact Dr. Bruce Kessler at (270) 792-9790 or bruce.kessler@wku.edu.
Elementary and Middle School "Operation Comics" author visit (School Visit)
An introduction to the Operation Comics series from the author of the series (appropriate for 3rd -6th grade students or elementary education pre-service teachers). Site link: http://www.wku.edu/operationcomics/
For more information or to schedule an author visit, contact Dr. Bruce Kessler at (270) 792-9790 or bruce.kessler@wku.edu.
PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY: http://www.wku.edu/physics/
Hardin Planetarium (Field Trip)
Elementary and middle school group field trips - Planetarium shows are no charge for school groups. Contact Ronn Kistler for more information at ronn.kistler@wku.edu or (270) 745-4044. Link: http://www.wku.edu/hardinplanetarium/school_field_trips.php
Monthly Public Telescope Viewing (Events)
The observatory is located on the roof of the Thompson Complex Center Wing (TCCW). Shortly after sunset on the second Wednesday of every month (except June and July), astronomers from WKU's Physics and Astronomy Department offer the public an opportunity to observe the heavens through the telescopes on the TCCW roof. There is no charge for admission. Meet in the lobby of TCCW next door to the Hardin Planetarium. A brief indoor program will be presented if weather conditions do not permit observing. Children 12 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult. Contact Dr. David Laney in the Physics and Astronomy Department for more information at david.laney@wku.edu or (270) 745-5484.
Science Curiosity Investigation (SCI) Day Camps (Camps)
Hardin Planetarium offers science camps for young people in grades 3 through 6 during Fall Break, Spring Break and in the summer. Contact Ronn Kistler for more information at ronn.kislter@wku.edu or (270) 745-4044.
Physics Olympics (Events)
The WKU Department of Physics and Astronomy celebrates the spirit of exploration by inviting high schools to send teams of four to compete in the annual Western Kentucky Physics Olympics. This half day competition consists of a pentathlon of challenging problem-solving activities that reward teamwork, communication and creativity. More information and online registration forms are located at this link: http://physics.wku.edu/olympics/. For further information, email Dr. Richard Gelderman at richard.gelderman@wku.edu or (270) 745-6203.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCES (SEAS): https://www.wku.edu/seas/
School Group tours of the Manufacturing Robotics Lab (Field Trip/Tour)
Student groups may schedule field trips to tour, see a demonstration, and a question and answer session with a professor in Manufacturing Robotics. Robotics lab is located on the WKU Campus in the Environmental Sciences and Technology building (EST). For more information or to schedule a field trip, contact Amber Boards at (270) 745-4642 or amber.boards@wku.edu.
Programming Competition (Event)
Held in the Spring Semester for Kentucky high school teams of up to three students. Each member of the winning teams receive a $1,000 scholarship to WKU. For more information, contact Dr. Qi Li at (270) 745-6225 or qi.li@wku.edu.
Student group/School visit activity - "Hour of Code" (School Visit)
Members of the WKU Chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) can conduct an "Hour of Code" activity for students. "Hour of Code" events can be held year round. Contact the Dr. Michael Galloway for more information at (270) 745-2859 or jeffrey.galloway@wku.edu. See www.hourofcode.com for more details about the program.
High School Robotics competition (Events) Link to registration page HS Robotics Facebook Page
KY Bluegrass High School Robotics Competition is announced in early September and is held on a Saturday in early November at WKU. This event provides high school students with a challenging engineering design experience. Teams build a robot using materials provided by the WKU Engineering Department and compete against each other in the High Bay area of the Engineering and Biological Sciences (EBS) building on WKU's campus. For more information contact Dr. Gordon Smith at gordon.smith@wku.edu.
Middle School LEGO Robotics competition (Events) Link to registration page Link to rules page
KY Bluegrass LEGO Robotics Competition is announced in early January and is held on a Saturday in late February at the Moss Middle School gymnasium. This event provides elementary and middle school students with a challenging engineering experience. Teams build an autonomous robot from LEGO Mindstorm kits to accomplish various themed tasks. For more information, contact Dr. Kevin Schmaltz at kevin.schmaltz@wku.edu.
MATHCOUNTS Competition (Events)
From http://www.mathcounts.org/about/mathcounts-overview : "MATHCOUNTS strives to engage middle school students of all ability and interest levels in fun, challenging math programs, in order to expand their academic and professional opportunities." This event is held in mid-February and sponsored by the Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers. For more information, contact Amber Boards in the WKU School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at (270) 745-4642 or amber.boards@wku.edu.
Egg Drop Activity (Field Trips)
"Egg Drop" field trips are held year round in the High Bay area of the WKU Engineering and Biological Sciences (EBS) building. A variety of impromptu design experiences and demonstrations of WKU Engineering projects can be provided to groups of 10-30 students from local elementary and middle schools. Contact Dr. Kevin Schmaltz for more information at kevin.schmaltz@wku.edu or (270) 745-8859.
Engineering/Robotics talks (School Visits)
Elementary or middle school groups may contact the WKU School of Engineering and Applied Sciences for more information or to schedule someone to talk to your class about the Engineering profession and/or robotics. For more information contact Amber Boards at (270) 745-4642 or e-mail amber.boards@wku.edu.
School Group Tours - Robotics, Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical), Architecture, Manufacturing, or Computer Science (Field Trips/Tours)
Contact the WKU School of Engineering and Applied Sciences for more information or to schedule your group's tour. Your tour may focus on one of the engineering areas - Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical; Architecture, Manufacturing; or Computer Science. Groups may also choose to focus their tour on robotics. Specify your preference when scheduling the tour. For more information contact Amber Boards at (270) 745-4642 or amber.boards@wku.edu.
SKyTeach: http://www.wku.edu/skyteach/
Barren River Area Home School Co-op Science Fair (Events)
Elementary, middle, and high school home co-op students participate annually.
For more information, contact Melissa Rudloff at (270) 745-3900 or melissa.rudloff@wku.edu.
Area School College Fairs (Events)
SKyTeach representatives attend college fairs at area high schools annually.
For more information, contact David Bell at (270) 745-3245 or david.bell1@wku.edu.
WKU Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day (Events)
Elementary and middle school girls and boys go to work with their WKU employed parent. The children explore SKyTeach opportunities by presenting 5E lessons.
For more information, contact Janice Davenport at (270) 745-2451 or janice.davenport@wku.edu.
Governor's Scholar Program at Bellermine (Camps)
For more information, contact Rico Tyler at (270) 745-3900 or rico.tyler@wku.edu.
STEMShot! Rocketry Competition (Events) Information
Middle school teams from area schools compete in rocket competition held at the Center for Research and Development (CRD) (also known as the old mall on Nashville Road).
For more information, contact Rico Tyler at (270) 745-3900 or rico.tyler@wku.edu.
GRREC-SKyTeach-WKU Regional Bridge Building Competition (Events)
Middle school teams from area schools construct bridges and subject them to various tests. Event is held at the Center for Research and Development.
For more information, contact Rico Tyler at (270) 745-3900 or rico.tyler@wku.edu.
SKyTeach students present science lessons to area school groups (School Visits or Field Trip/Tours)
Elementary and middle school groups visit campus and SKyTeach students present science lessons in a 5E format.
For more information, contact Rico Tyler at (270) 745-3900 or rico.tyler@wku.edu.
Area Science Fairs (Events)
SKyTeach instructors and students participate in area elementary, middle, and high school science fairs as judges and volunteers.
For more information, contact the SKyTeach office at (270) 745-3900 or skyteach@wku.edu.
OGDEN MULTI-DISCIPLINARY EVENTS
Girls In Science Day (Events)
Girls in grades 5 through 12 will have the opportunity to explore various topics in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) during exciting interactive sessions. Attendees will meet women employed in STEM careers. There will be separate sessions for grades 5-8 and 9-12. This is an excellent field trip opportunity. This year's event will be on a Saturday in September or October. Lunch is provided. Cost is $10 per girl and space is limited. Event runs from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. For more information contact Karen Long in the SKyTeach office at (270) 745-3900 or karen.long@wku.edu. Or visit www.wku.edu/ogden for more details.
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) (Events)
WKU FLL Qualifying Tournament is a MIndstorm robotics competition for students ages 9-14. Competition involves robotics programming to complete various missions, design and technical judging, research project and presentation judging, and team work judging. This season's challenge is called the 2017 FLL HYDRO DYNAMICS Challenge. For more information contact John Inman, WKU FLL Qualifying Tournament Director and WKU Science Outreach Coordinator, at (270) 745-3048 or john.inman@wku.edu. National FIRST LEGO League (FLL) website link and registration site: http://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll/challenge-and-season-info.
Kentucky Science Olympiad (Events)
Science Olympiad is an event which is dedicated to improving K-12 science education and student interest in science. The event is divided into two divisions: Division B (grades 6-9) and Division C (grades 9-12). For more information about starting a school team visit the Kentucky Science Olympiad website at http://www.wku.edu/scienceolympiad/ or the National Science Olympiad website at www.soinc.org. Kentucky contacts are Dr. Lowell Shank at lowell.shank@wku.edu or John Inman at (270) 745-3048 or john.inman@wku.edu.
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