Issue 6 - June 2023

Igniting A Spark in Engineering

KYTC's First Aviation Scholarship Student

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is about more than roads, we also fly! Airports are a vital mode that keeps Kentucky moving. KYTC's Kentucky Department of Aviation (KDA) ensures that the airports across Kentucky receive vital funding to maintain sound infrastructure and safe and efficient operations, along with meeting regulatory requirements. KDA's Aviation Engineer and support staff work alongside all 58 airports to oversee projects receiving state and federal funding. These projects range from airfield lighting, runway overlays, vertical structures (hangars, terminal buildings), fuel systems, and so much more.   Last year, Commissioner Mark Carter recognized the need to invest in engineering. As a result, KDA is happy to announce that they have accepted their very first KYTC Aviation Scholarship Student as part of KYTC's Civil Engineering Scholarship Program. The 2022 aviation scholarship recipient is Cade Moore. Cade is a 21-year-old University of Kentucky (UK) student from Corbin. While Cade is still working towards completing his degree, he works as a summer intern in the Aviation Engineering Branch. Cade will receive first-hand training from Aviation Engineering Branch Manager Wayne Simpson.  Cade will be mentored by KDA staff on the daily task of an aviation engineer. Examples of those tasks include meeting with airport officials, airport managers, and communicating with consultants, and contractors regarding current airport projects. Cade will have the unique opportunity of attending the opening of Kentucky’s 58th airport, the Gallatin County Regional Airport in Sparta near the Kentucky Speedway. Cade’s favorite part of the internship has been traveling to airports in the department’s aircraft. “It definitely gives you a different appreciation for how beautiful the state of Kentucky is,” said Cade. He plans to pursue his pilot license after graduating from UK. KDA focuses on continued aviation advancement by working alongside our local community airports, local, state, and federal leadership.

District 6 KEEN Coordinator presents engineering to Boy Scouts at Camp Michaels in Boone County

Summer Camps: KEEN Outside the Classroom

by Walter Johnson

Congratulations on concluding another school year! After a year of classroom instruction, students are taking a well-earned break where learning can continue in less formal environments. Students all over our state are taking part in summertime activities such as summer camps and events at the local library. To add learning to your student’s summer fun, consider scheduling KEEN for those community’s events.

While KEEN is well known for classroom presentations and activities, we can also assist in summer camps and other extracurricular opportunities. The presentations provide excellent opportunities for hands-on learning and one-on-one discussion. A change in scenery can make all the difference when it comes to student engagement. Here in District 6, we have participated in STEAM-related summer programs, scouting camps, and community nights. We are available for a variety of education-enriching events and are flexible to better meet the needs of your group.

For the past few years, KEEN has presented at Camp Michaels in Boone County. We were able to accommodate all grade levels of scouts. One presenter provided a bridge building activity to an older group of scouts, while younger scouts enjoyed a boat-building exercise. It was great to see the scouts work in teams and ask engineering questions while working on their activities. Fun was had by all as parents and leaders also participated in our activities. Activities such as these benefit scouts by fulfilling several requirements for their engineering merit badge.

Our engineers are available to help your students achieve their goals and further develop their science interests. Contact us today to schedule a visit from our team.

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KEEN Workshop Awards

In May, KYTC held the KEEN Program's Annual Workshop. This event provides KEEN presenters an opportunity to meet one another from across the state, train on existing presentations and develop new subjects and presentations to share with students. This event is also an opportunity to celebrate our KEEN coordinators with well-deserved awards. We hope you get a chance to meet some of these exemplary engineers during the 2023-2024 school year.  We are proud to recognize our 2023 KEEN Award winners!  Nick Beasmore, District 7 KEEN Coordinator, is the 2023 KEEN presenter of the year by giving 38 presentations. He also is accepting the KEEN District of the Year award for District 7. The District 7 KEEN team reached 3,069 students.   Kim Carbaugh, District 4 KEEN Coordinator, accepted the 2023 KEEN Most Improved District of the Year Award for District 4. The District 4 KEEN team increased from two to 11 participants, which allowed them to grow from three presentations delivered in the 2021-2022 school year to an impressive 28 presentations during the 2022-2023 school year.  We would like to congratulate Nick, Kim, and the entire KEEN Teams in District 4 and District 7. Your contributions to the Kentucky's students is appreciated!

Careers

Career Fair at Allen County Scottsville High School

Careers that keep Kentucky moving!

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has careers from highway technicians to civil engineers to aviation staff to call centers and more! From Paducah to Pikeville, we have careers that span the state.

Devin Wyckoff in the District 5 Materials lab

Transportation Summer Info Session

From bridges to roads in small towns to big cities, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet keeps Kentucky moving. We offer a range of careers opportunities in the STEM field like bridge engineers, biologists, and drone pilots. 

Interested in learning more about what engineers do at the Transportation Cabinet?

Students are invited to join us
for an informational all-day session to learn what goes into
planning, designing, building, and maintaining Kentucky’s roads and bridges.

Wednesday, July 26
9:00 am to 3:30 pm EDT
Transportation Cabinet Office 
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40622

RSVP to Ramona.Brock@ky.gov by July 7
Seats are limited so don’t delay in responding!

75 Years of Civil Engineering Scholarships

June 2023 marks the 75th year of the Transportation Cabinet’s Civil Engineering Scholarship Program. The program has been the primary pipeline for the cabinet’s engineers for many years and has undergone several changes since its inception in 1948. Click here to learn more about the history and growth of this important program that has withstood the test of time.

Presentation HIGHLIGHT:

In this presentation, we show students how we find utilities underground. This class room has a hands-on activity where the student get to try to find different utilities with some of the equipment that we use at KYTC to locate pipes before we dig. 

Learn more about the KEEN program on our website. 

KYTC wishes you a safe and sunny summer

KYTC'S Mission

To provide a safe, efficient, environmentally sound and fiscally responsible transportation system that delivers economic opportunity and enhances the quality of life in Kentucky.