Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 21 hours ago
More than 60 middle and high school students from Breathitt and Letcher counties visited Robinson Forest for the 2025 FLASH Field Day, an immersive outdoor learning experience focused on understanding flash flooding in Appalachian communities. Students explored hydrology, meteorology, aquatic biology, soils, and community resources at hands-on stations led by experts from the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and partnering universities.
Throughout the day, students learned how flooding shapes ecosystems and impacts the safety, infrastructure and future of their communities. Organizers Lee Moser and Katherine Bullock say the goal is to bring science to an eighth grade level, making it engaging and empowering for local youth. Educators and researchers involved in the NSF-supported FLASH Initiative believe these outdoor experiences can spark long-term interest in environmental science while strengthening community resilience.
Article was written by Christopher Carney - https://news.mgcafe.uky.edu/article/special-outdoor-classroom-uk-robinson-forest-field-day-demonstrates-flash-flooding
For more information, contact:
Lee Moser, lee.moser@uky.edu
Katherine Bullock, katherine.bullock@uky.edu
Media Contact: CE Huffman, ce.huffman@uky.edu
-----
The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment serves the people of Kentucky and the world, through unparalleled teaching, transformative research and relevant service to farms, families and communities. The college proudly continues to build upon its land grant tradition with a strong commitment to improve lives and to build a sustainable future. Learn more: ca.uky.edu
Apply and start your future in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment: students.ca.uky.edu/future-students
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service provides practical education you can trust to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. Find an office near you: extension.ca.uky.edu
---
Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Reasonable accommodation of disability may be available with prior notice. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky Counties, Cooperating.
More than 60 middle and high school students from Breathitt and Letcher counties visited Robinson Forest for the 2025 FLASH Field Day, an immersive outdoor learning experience focused on understanding flash flooding in Appalachian communities. Students explored hydrology, meteorology, aquatic biology, soils, and community resources at hands-on stations led by experts from the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and partnering universities.
Throughout the day, students learned how flooding shapes ecosystems and impacts the safety, infrastructure and future of their communities. Organizers Lee Moser and Katherine Bullock say the goal is to bring science to an eighth grade level, making it engaging and empowering for local youth. Educators and researchers involved in the NSF-supported FLASH Initiative believe these outdoor experiences can spark long-term interest in environmental science while strengthening community resilience.
Article was written by Christopher Carney - https://news.mgcafe.uky.edu/article/special-outdoor-classroom-uk-robinson-forest-field-day-demonstrates-flash-flooding
For more information, contact:
Lee Moser, lee.moser@uky.edu
Katherine Bullock, katherine.bullock@uky.edu
Media Contact: CE Huffman, ce.huffman@uky.edu
-----
The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment serves the people of Kentucky and the world, through unparalleled teaching, transformative research and relevant service to farms, families and communities. The college proudly continues to build upon its land grant tradition with a strong commitment to improve lives and to build a sustainable future. Learn more: ca.uky.edu
Apply and start your future in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment: students.ca.uky.edu/future-students
The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service provides practical education you can trust to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. Find an office near you: extension.ca.uky.edu
---
Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Reasonable accommodation of disability may be available with prior notice. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Kentucky Counties, Cooperating.
