Space Tango

Space Tango is a Lexington STEM startup that designs and builds automated, integrated systems for conducting scientific/biomedical research in microgravity for academic and industrial laboratories on the International Space Station. Space Tango is committed to building a STEM culture in the Lexington area, by providing outreach workshops (including flying student experiments), hosting events, and providing student internships. UK and Space Tango have recently finalized a Master Agreement to facilitate projects and internships between the two entities.

University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky is committed to serving the commonwealth and beyond. The university houses 16 colleges and professional schools and 200+ academic programs. Specifically, the College of Medicine and Department of STEM Education are collaborating to initiate the START program. In addition, UK's Department of Transformative Learning is committed to supporting START students by providing services such as academic coaching, and teacher training that focuses on pedagogy for underserved populations.

See Blue STEM Camp

The University of Kentucky See Blue STEM Camp is open to elementary and middle schoolers to provide STEM experience over the summer. Camp experiences include, but are not limited to – Entomology, Engineering Design, Career Exploration, Chemistry, Biology, Robotics, and much more. The week-long day camps are designed to help students explore and integrate the STEM disciplines through authentic hands-on projects and real world applications.

The Academies of Lexington

Academies of Lexington is a partnership with Fayette County Public Schools that is changing the traditional didactic educational model by teaching subjects in the context of real-world applications and project based learning. Currently, 3 of the 6 FCPS high schools have adopted the Academies of Lexington model, with plans to expand to all high schools and middle schools.

Advance Kentucky

Advance Kentucky is a statewide math-science initiative dedicated to helping Kentucky’s students reach new heights in rigorous academic achievement. Begun in 2007, this is a partnership among Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC), Kentucky Department of Education and the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI). Advance Kentucky has been a partner in demonstrating scale up strategies for student and teacher training and programming across the state.

KY-WV LSAMP

The Kentucky - West Virginia Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (KY-WV LSAMP) is a consortium of colleges and universities working together to create, enhance, and expand programs designed to broaden participation and increase the quality and quantity of students from underrepresented populations (i.e., African American, Hispanic, Native American, Native Alaskan and Pacific Islander) who receive degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence

The ultimate goal is for the University to be nationally recognized as a beacon of undergraduate excellence. The Chellgren Center contributes to that goal by raising aspirations of UK students; assisting students in realizing their highest academic potential; inspiring progressive reform and innovation in teaching, learning, and curriculum development; and fostering creative and productive collaborations across the many programs and departments engaged in the undergraduate mission.

START Advisory Board

Alethea Bernard, MHA, MPA, Community Partner/Program Director
An innovative leader in multiple capacities for academic, non-profit, private, veterans affairs, and government agencies. Alethea holds a Bachelor of Social Work, Masters of Health Administration, and Master of Public Administration from the University of Kentucky.

Ron Chi, EdD, Education Consultant at GlobEdSpace
A leader in developing successful K-16 programming focused on increasing underrepresented minorities in STEM, Ron has worked in multiple school districts throughout Kentucky and holds a Master of Arts Math and Science Education from Columbia University Teachers College, a doctorate from the University of the Cumberlands, and an Instructional Leadership-School Superintendent professional certificate

Kris Kimmel, Chairman and Co-Founder of Space Tango
A Founder of Humanity in Deep Space, Exomedicine Institute and IdeaFestival, Kris is passionate about Innovating in Space for Solutions on Earth

Anthony Mires, MS, AdvanceKentucky Executive Director at Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation
Works with local, state, and national partners to dramatically expand access, participation, and success in rigorous college-level work for high school students, particularly in math & science and among student populations traditionally underrepresented in these courses. Recognized by the National Math and Science Initiative as an All-American Teacher of the Year for Science, he holds Bachelors Degrees in Biology and English, an MA in Secondary Education, and a Master of Science, Secondary Education and Teaching from the University of Kentucky.

Cathleen Webb, PhD, Professor, Associate Dean for Research, Ogden College of Science & Engineering, Western Kentucky University

START Partners