"Out of This World": Highlights from the Kentucky Green School Summit

On a spring morning in Morehead, Kentucky, Green Teams from across the Commonwealth gathered at Morehead State University’s Space Science Center for an unforgettable day of learning, sharing, and celebrating sustainability. Hosted by the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE), the Kentucky Green School Summit brought together students, educators, and community partners for a truly “out of this world” experience.

A Statewide Gathering of Change-Makers

Green Teams traveled from every corner of Kentucky to attend the summit, including Russell Middle School from Ashland, Lloyd Memorial High School and Tichenor Middle School from Erlanger, and Rockcastle County High School from Mount Vernon. Volunteers from Morehead State University and the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics welcomed each group as they arrived mid-morning. Each school brought a unique display showcasing their action projects. Some focused on a single sustainability theme—like school site improvements or water conservation—while others embraced all five of the Kentucky Green Schools (KGS) investigation areas: energy, indoor school environment, outdoor school site, waste & recycling, and water. From composting initiatives and school gardens to energy-saving campaigns and clean water efforts, student-led action was at the heart of the summit.

Community Connections and Celebrations

Interactive exhibits from partner organizations—including Berea College, KY Department of Fish and Wildlife, KY Division of Water, Minor Clark Fish Hatchery, Mountain Association, Partners for Rural Impact, and Thomas More University Biology Field Station—added rich, hands-on learning experiences. These groups offered tools, demos, and guidance to help students and educators take their work to the next level. During the plenary session in the immersive Star Theater, KAEE Executive Director Ashley Hoffman celebrated each team’s progress and leadership. Special recognition went to Russell Middle School for achieving Silver-level status; Tichenor Middle School, which also earned Silver-level status and a 2024–25 mini-grant; Rockcastle County High School, recognized with Green-level status and a mini-grant; and Lloyd Memorial High School, honored as a Model Green School for completing all five investigations and sustaining their work for an additional year.

Inspiring the Future

The summit’s keynote speaker, Ruby Grace Korman, gave an energizing and heartfelt talk titled “Follow Your Dreams.” A co-enrolled junior at Atherton High School in Louisville and Craft Academy in Morehead, Ruby shared how attending SpaceTrek 2024 helped launch her passion for space science and sustainability—and how that journey prepared her for a 2025 summer experience in aeronautical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She reminded students to treasure their teammates and work together, because, as she put it, “You never know where collaboration can take you.” Following Ruby’s remarks, students were treated to a guided night sky tour and a dazzling laser light show set to Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me,” all inside the Space Science Center’s digital planetarium—a fun, energizing way to close out the morning.

A Lasting Impact

After lunch in the rotunda, students had time to revisit partner booths, explore the facility, and network with peers from across the state. For many, it was more than a field trip—it was a spark for future learning and leadership.

If you didn’t attend but want to experience the planetarium for yourself, public shows at the Star Theater are available at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.

Get Involved

Whether you're a student, educator, or community member, there's a place for you in the movement to make Kentucky's schools greener, healthier, and more student-powered. Learn more about the Kentucky Green Schools program and how to get started at kaee.org/GreenSchools.