KYTC Scholarship Application Deadline is February 1
 A deadline is quickly approaching!
The application period is still open for interested students that would like to pursue Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, or Construction Management. The deadline is February 1, 2025.
Here is the checklist of items needed:
- Your completed application page.
- Your current transcript, along with a copy of your senior class schedule, if it’s not included on your transcript. For current college students, if you are taking classes at multiple universities, go ahead and include all transcripts.
- ACT Scores
- A minimum of two letters of reference – one from your guidance counselor (high school) or advisor (college) and the rest from teachers/professors. You can also include letters from others that know you outside of school.
- Your resume – please be thorough. This provides more information that allows us to get to know you better. This will include volunteer work, paid jobs, & also extracurricular activities with your school, community &/or your church.
- Your essay – this is a minimum of one page that is an introduction to us and tells us more about why you are interested in one of the above fields.
Please verify that all parts of your application have been received/finished & it’s ready to go. Once verified, you can email or mail your application. If you’d prefer to email your application, you can email it to Marianne.sullivan@ky.gov
To mail, please send it to:
Marianne Sullivan, KYTC Scholarship Coordinator
State Highway Engineer’s Office, 6th Fl East
200 Mero Street
Frankfort KY 40622
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. I look forward to meeting our new candidates!
Class Activity: Using Maps to Explore Snow and Ice Data Tools (Part 1)
 This activity integrates real-world transportation data with geographic exploration using modern mapping technology, making it fun and educational for kids. By exploring the map, students can visualize snow and ice management in their own community. Teachers and students are welcome to use the Talk to us! tool to send questions to KYTC’s GIS Help Desk. A Part 2 activity will be available in our March edition, analyzing snow and ice mapping data.
Objective:
Students will use the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Snow and Ice Priority Routes interactive map. They will explore our roads and identify the routes we plan out to clear snow and ice during winter storm events.
Materials:
- A computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access
- Access to the Snow and Ice Priority Routes interactive map:
- Access to the Division of Maintenance Manual:
- A journal for students to record their findings
- Access to the YouTube video for how to use the interactive web maps:
Note: In the Activity, look for the time stamps for when in the video certain tools are explained. Example: YouTube 10:04. These times are also available in the video description.
Steps:
1. Introduction to the Map (10 Minutes)
- Begin by opening the Snow and Ice Priority Routes map, using the button provided in the Material section. Introducing students to the functionality and navigation of the interactive map. Focus on how to navigate around, find tools and search for locations of interest. Feel free to utilize the YouTube video provided in the Materials section of this activity.
- Next, you can introduce students to the concepts of snow and ice priority routes. This is where you can have them explore the Division of Maintenance’s Manual, provided by selecting the links in the Materials section above.
- Explain that during winter weather, it’s important for transportation agencies to prioritize which roads to treat first to ensure safety. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has mapped out these priority routes based on objectives outlined in the Division of Maintenance Manual: SNOW & ICE (See pages 141-145).
2. Explore the Map (10 minutes)
- Begin by opening the Snow and Ice Priority Routes map.
- Have students use the map’s search function to find their school. Show them how to zoom in on this location and examine the surrounding routes.
- Ask each student to look at the area around the school and along their drive to school.
3. Prioritize Important Locations (15 minutes)
- Ask students to imagine a winter storm hitting the area. They should think about important destinations people need to safely get to, or from.
- Have students use the draw tool to circle locations they think are the highest priority to make sure people can get to (hospitals, schools, grocery stores, etc.).
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Journal notes: In your community, which destinations are a priority to be able to access during winter weather events? Rank those from highest to lowest priority (Web Map Video 12:39). What roads do you think should be taken care of first during a winter storm? Why?
4. Exploring Snow and Ice Priority Routes (20 minutes)
- Instruct students to explore the snow and ice routes for the school. They can use the Layers tool to turn on/off the Snow and Ice Priority Routes layer. (Web Map Video 1:09).
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Journal notes:
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What are the primary snow and ice priority routes linking these locations? (Students will identify these roads by the color-coded routes shown on the map.)
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What is the expected turnaround time for this road to be cleared? (Division of Maintenance Manual: SNOW & ICE (See pages 141-145). Explain that roads are ranked based on their importance.)
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Are there any major highways or interstates that pass through the area? (Students should identify and name these roads.)
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How do these priority routes connect to each other in your area? (Ask students to describe how different roads interact and why it's important for these routes to be treated first in bad weather.)
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Can school snow days be determined based on the clearing of all Priority A routes? (what about those living on B and C routes?)
5. For Fun! Communicating with a Map (10 Minutes)
- Have the students:
- Use the Draw tool and Insert Text tool to expand their ideas in the map.
- Use the Layers tool to adjust how the layers look in the map, adjusting which layers display on top or on bottom, or how transparent they are.
- Add additional data they think is interesting or relevant.
- Once the map communicates what is intended, use the Print tool to export the map to a PDF!
The Science Behind Treating Our Roads
 The snow is coming down. The temperatures are plummeting. There's freezing rain in the forecast.
Every winter weather event presents its own unique challenges and hurdles for crews that have to be on the roads fighting the conditions... but did you know before they hit the roads district leaders are making decisions rooted in science?!
Here at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, crews are able to use a combination of resources to effectively remove snow and ice from state-maintained roads. These resources are different chemicals.
Prior to a winter event, we review the forecast to determine if it's possible to pre-treat the roads with brine or calcium chloride. Brine is a mixture of water and salt. The end result is a 23% salt solution sprayed with water. This is most effective when the temperatures are between 20 and 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
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When temperatures dip below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, salt loses its effectiveness. In that case, KYTC uses calcium chloride to lower the melting point on the road surface.
"We try to pretreat whenever we can because it just gives us a leg up," said Craig Moore, Transportation Engineer Supervisor for KYTC District 6.
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So why aren't all the roads pre-treated before a winter event? As it turns out, there's a very specific set of parameters that must be met for KYTC to pre-treat.
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The pavement must be dry, and the temperature should be between 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, there can't be rain in the forecast before the snow event, or else the pre-treatment would simply wash away.
There are more variables at play, too. While salt mixed with de-icing materials helps plows push snow and break down ice, extreme temperatures really puts the salt to the test. That's why many crews will switch over to calcium chloride.
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There is an art and a science to the decisions made before, during and after a winter weather event. These decisions are all rooted in helping our crews do what they can to clear the roads no matter what Mother Nature brings. Ultimately, it's also up to motorists to heed warnings about being on the road during inclement weather. If you have to be on the road, please give our crews plenty of room to safely work. If you can -- stay at home, and know that KYTC crews are doing everything they can to clear the way!
Register by Friday, Jan 24!
Kentucky Safe Teen Driving Challenge
 Do you know a teen driver who would like to win cash prizes up to $2,000 just for being safe?
Encourage them to join the Kentucky Safe Teen Driving Challenge! Teens between the ages of 16-19 can compete for cash prizes up to $2,000 while building safer driving habits. The challenge requires teens to use an app to measure behaviors like speed, phone usage, cornering, acceleration and braking.
Hurry! Registration ends Friday, Jan. 24. Click the button below to get registered!
How Can Students Prepare For Careers in STEM?
Written by: Walter Johnson, KYTC District 6
 The field of engineering moves quickly, and many students see that as an opportunity for an interesting and competitive career... But, this fast-paced environment can be difficult to approach for students on their own. The classroom is a much better setting for students to make the leap from the curriculum to a career. As educators, you have the opportunity to help your students get a head start! As a former student, I have some tips for educators (and intrepid students!) to bring a STEM career into focus.
Studying and research skills are necessary to succeed in a STEM-oriented field, such as engineering. Not only will your course load demand a consistent study-schedule, but your day-to-day work may involve referencing manuals, creating detailed documentation, or finding relevant supporting research for your project. No matter how you slice it, it's important to discover what study and research strategies best suit you. A dense math and science-focused course load will prepare you for this career and ensure you can tackle new projects.
When I was in high school, I vividly remember taking a field trip to a manufacturing facility. Once there, I had the chance to speak with mechanical engineers. It was a great opportunity to see what a potential work place could look like and get questions answered firsthand. Field trips provide a second-to-none experience when it comes to showing students what is available.
Student Tip: you may be able to get class credit in high school for shadowing an employee at a company!
Teachers: this could be a great way to incentivize students to research a career. If a physical visit is not possible, it may be possible to have a video call with workers in the field.
In many STEM careers, a post-secondary degree is a requirement. When selecting a degree program (and a university to attend), make sure the program checks the boxes. For licensed positions, like Professional Engineer, there is a basic “roadmap” most students follow to attain their license. Creating your own roadmap will help put milestones into perspective and advise you on decisions in the here and now.
While all of this can sound overbearing and stressful, it's key to remember that this is all about exploration. Nothing is set in stone. For students, the future typically seems far away, which can lead to apathy and a general lack of vision. Educators, we need you to help students broaden their horizons and find what drives them. For students, take the time, hit the books, and find your path.
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