November 11, 2026
Story and photo by Addison Crites
Barton Community College welcomed more than 200 high school students from 19 schools to campus for the Annual Jack Kilby STEM Day (JKSD) on Nov. 6.
Now in its 22nd year, the event is designed to encourage students to explore future careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. JKSD continues to honor the legacy of Great Bend native and Nobel Prize-winning inventor Jack Kilby, whose development of the microchip revolutionized modern technology.
Students participated in a variety of hands-on learning experiences, interactive presentations, and problem-solving activities led by Barton educators and industry professionals.
Highlighting the event was the return of the math bowl competition where eight teams competed in a double-elimination tournament. Barton County Special Services claimed the first-place prize of a graphing calculator, while Nickerson High School followed in second, and Mission Valley placed third.
Students and sponsors had the opportunity to choose from 20 breakout sessions covering topics such as photography and light science, weather forecasting, aviation, nuclear engineering, food science, chemistry, anatomy, computer programming, rocketry, agriculture, insect biology, molecular simulation, and engineering design. These sessions allowed attendees to apply STEM concepts in real-world settings while exploring potential career paths
This event was sponsored by University of Kansas Health Systems, Dennis and Jann Sherman STEM Endowment, Freedom Claims Management, Nex-Tech, Jim and Kathi Armatys, Farmers Bank and Trust, and Pryor Automatic Sprinkler.
For more information about JKSD, please visit jksd.bartonccc.edu.