CSE at the Minnesota State Fair

A variety of College of Science and Engineering exhibits will showcase the relevance of science, engineering, and mathematics to people’s everyday lives at the 2019 Minnesota State Fair. The University of Minnesota exhibit on Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street will feature students and faculty in a wide range of fields. College of Science and Engineering faculty and students will also be featured during STEM Day at the Fair in Dan Patch Park, the Eco Experience Building, and the U of M's Driven to Discover research building.

• Solar Vehicle Project Team, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
  U of M Crossroads Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
  
  A car that can travel on power from the sun may sound like science fiction, but it is a reality at the University of Minnesota. See the inner workings of a solar car built by University undergraduate students that competed in the World Solar Challenge and the American Solar Challenge. 
   
• Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM), 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
  Driven to Discover Building—Cooper and Cosgrove Streets
  
  Have you ever wondered about the intersection of the LGBQIA+ community and STEM, or how the University of Minnesota is welcoming LGBTQ+ diversity in STEM? Come learn all the answers and win some prizes during trivia with Out in Science, Technology, and Math (oSTEM), a University of Minnesota student group that empowers LGBTQ+ people in STEM to succeed personally, academically, and professionally. 
   
• "Toys Designed and Tested by Kids for Kids" 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
  Driven to Discover Building—Cooper and Cosgrove Streets
  
  Children between 18 months and five years can test toys designed by engineering students at UMD and others used in the Early Problem Solving Indicator (EPSI) test, a standard measure of cognitive child development. The child, with parents present, will play with each toy for two minutes while being videotaped to see how they use their hands in play. The child also can work with a design engineer to create their ideal toy out of re-moldable foam that they can take home.

• Center for Sustainable Polymers 
  9 a.m.–9 p.m.
  Eco Experience Building—Randall Avenue and Cosgrove Street
  
  Learn about bioplastics at this interactive exhibit. Plastic products are a major part of everyday life but are plagued with problems including their petroleum-based origins and end-of-life pollution. This new exhibit at the Eco Experience building showcases the work of the Center for Sustainable Polymers by illustrating the differences between traditional plastics and bio-based plastics. The multi-faceted exhibit includes displays highlighting the latest research and hands-on activities for fair visitors.