kansas association of teachers of science

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.