Come see the College of Science and Engineering at the 2010 Minnesota State Fair
Contact: Rhonda Zurn, College of Science and Engineering, (612) 626-7959, rzurn@umn.edu
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (08/23/2010)—A variety of College of Science and Engineering exhibits will showcase the relevance of science, engineering and mathematics to people's everyday lives at this year’s 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 Carousel Park, in the Eco Experience Building, and in the KARE 11 Barn.
Thursday, Aug. 26-Monday, Sept. 6
Center for Sustainable Polymers, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
Eco Experience Building—Randall Avenue and Cosgrove Street
We see the ads for compostable chip bags or plastics made from plants, but did you know that the University of Minnesota is leading the way in sustainable plastic research? These plastics are part of a transition our society is experiencing as we move from petroleum-based plastics toward more sustainable plastics. In this exhibit running throughout the State Fair, professors, students, and staff affiliated with the University's Center for Sustainable Polymers will discuss how plants are an important new resource for plastics, packaging, and products we use every day.
Thursday, Aug. 26
Department of Astronomy, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
U of M Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
Discover the wonders of the sky in this exhibit from the Department of Astronomy. The exhibit will include many tools used by University of Minnesota astronomers including an infrared camera, 3D simulations and a telescope. Meteorites, some activities from astronomy labs, information on Department of Astronomy sponsored events, and information about our research will also be part of the exhibit.
STEM Day at the Fair, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Carousel Park—front of the Grandstand
Experience science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in a fun and interactive environment. The University of Minnesota main stage events occur on the hour starting at 9 a.m. with the last show starting at 4 p.m.
U of M Physics Force shows–9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.
U of M Chemistry Department shows–10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 27
Center for Transportation Studies, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
U of M Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
This Center for Transportation Studies and the Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute exhibit will engage people with a traffic control game called Gridlock Buster, which incorporates tools and ideas that traffic control engineers use in their everyday work. The exhibit will also feature SafeRoadMaps.org, a powerful and visually innovative crash-mapping tool that maps out every roadway fatality in the nation to the local level.
Center for Transportation Studies, 2–3 p.m. and 3–4 p.m.
U of M Stage Show—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
Stop by the main University stage and play "Transportation Jeopardy" to win cool prizes.
Saturday, Aug. 28
Innovative Engineers student group, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
U of M Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
Come and see how Innovative Engineers is extending the reach of renewable energy to the developing world. The exhibit will include an interactive display which invites spectators to spin a 1kW wind turbine and generate electricity. The exhibit will also include informational displays and handouts of the work that Innovative Engineers is currently doing.
Sunday, Aug. 29
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics/Minnesota Space Grant Consortium, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
U of M Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
This display by the Minnesota Space Grant Consortium will include items used by the high-altitude ballooning team to do weather balloon missions to "Near Space," including scientific payload boxes and pictures/video clips from past missions. Come discuss aerospace opportunities in Minnesota, see a display of spacecraft models, and do hands-on activities with miniature rocket launchers, miniature hovercraft, and more!
Engineers Without Borders—UMN Student Chapter, 3–4 p.m.
U of M Stage Show—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
In this interactive presentation on the stage, students from the University's Engineers Without Borders student chapter will talk about their project in rural Guatemala. The group is partnering with the community of Simajuleu to provide a clean, dependable source of water to the village. Students from this group will show slides of their most recent trip, be interviewed on stage, and will answer questions from the audience.
Monday, Aug. 30
Department of Civil Engineering, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
U of M Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
Imagine walking along a dirt path and suddenly the firm ground does not support you because you are in quicksand. This can be a frightening experience, and your first reaction may be to scramble to find solid footing, instead of behaving as if you were in a pool of sand and water. Come learn how ordinary sand can become quicksand, and how civil engineers prevent or mitigate its occurrence. In this interactive exhibit, engineers will use a pump within a tank of water to quickly change ordinary beach sand into quicksand.
Tuesday, Aug. 31
St. Anthony Falls Lab/National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
U of M Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
This exhibit highlights a dam removal and river restoration project from the world-renowned University of Minnesota St. Anthony Falls Laboratory and National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics. The exhibit will feature a scale model of the Elwha River in the state of Washington. Come learn how scientists at the University of Minnesota are researching the best ways to remove the dam without damaging the ecosystem.
Center for Distributed Robotics, 3–4 p.m.
KARE 11 Barn Stage Show—Judson Avenue and Nelson Street
This entertaining demonstration features a variety of robots developed in the University of Minnesota's Center for Distributed Robotics, including a robot that is currently being used by law enforcement and the military in search and rescue missions and reconnaissance deployments. The robot, called the Scout, is only about the size of a soda can, but is durable enough to break through a glass window and land safely and ready to begin its mission. The robot also has impressive technology such as sensors and cameras to help save lives in dangerous situations.
Wednesday, Sept. 1
Engineers Without Borders—UMN Student Chapter, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
U of M Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
No water, no toilets, no waste removal, no electricity! EWB-UMN provides unique opportunities to interdisciplinary teams of students to address these issues in developing countries around the world. Learn how EWB has successfully implemented environmentally and economically sustainable projects. The students have partnered with disadvantaged communities to improve sanitation and recycling in Haiti, and clean water supply in Guatemala and Uganda.
Thursday, Sept. 2
Medical Devices Center/Institute for Engineering in Medicine, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
U of M Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
Come see the future of medical device research at the U of M. This display will include body part models, rapid prototyped parts and devices, a visible heart demonstration, a demo using a WiiMote allowing the user to move a computer model with hand movement, and many surgical devices. Test your skills at the laparoscopic knot tying suturing station. Talk with experts and find out more about the state-of-the-art research that includes designing, prototyping, and testing new medical devices.
Medical Devices Center/Institute for Engineering in Medicine, 10–11 a.m.
U of M Stage Show—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
Arthur Erdman, director of the U of M Medical Devices Center and Marie Johnson, director of the MDC Fellows Program will lead an interactive presentation on how medical devices help the human body. Audience members will have an opportunity to match specific medical devices with their proper location in the human body and suggest the proper function of that device using a life-sized "Operation" game replica. Then the presenters will give a brief overview of the historic development, relevance, and impact of those devices.
Friday, Sept. 3
Center for Transportation Studies, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
U of M Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
This Center for Transportation Studies and the Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute exhibit will engage people with a traffic control game called Gridlock Buster, which incorporates tools and ideas that traffic control engineers use in their everyday work. The exhibit will also feature SafeRoadMaps.org, a powerful and visually innovative crash-mapping tool that maps out every roadway fatality in the nation to the local level.
Center for Transportation Studies, 11 a.m.–noon, 2–3 p.m.
U of M Stage Show—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
Stop by the main University stage and play "Transportation Jeopardy" to win cool prizes.
Center for Distributed Robotics, noon–1 p.m.
U of M Stage Show—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
This entertaining demonstration features a variety of robots developed in the University of Minnesota's Center for Distributed Robotics, including a robot that is currently being used by law enforcement and the military in search and rescue missions and reconnaissance deployments. The robot, called the Scout, is only about the size of a soda can, but is durable enough to break through a glass window and land safely and ready to begin its mission. The robot also has impressive technology such as sensors and cameras to help save lives in dangerous situations.
Saturday, Sept. 4
Department of Chemistry/Alpha Chi Sigma, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
U of M Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
Chemistry is all around us. Come join the University of Minnesota Chemistry Outreach Program as we explore the everyday chemistry of your home. This exhibit features hands-on experiments to see how chemists have helped shape our lives. With us, you can explore basic polymers, acids/bases, and the chemistry behind some of the foods we eat.
Physics Force, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. shows
U of M Stage Show—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
This group of wild and crazy physicists use highly visual and entertaining demonstrations to teach elements of physics. The Physics Force goes above and beyond (literally) to educate and entertain. Their blend of slapstick, prop comedy, and science is fun and educational for audiences of all ages.
Sunday, Sept. 5
University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
U of M 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. Come see the latest solar car built by University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering undergraduate students that recently finished second in the cross country 2010 American Solar Challenge race. The car also won the electrical excellence award and the team won the sportsmanship award for the third consecutive time. See the inner workings of the car and talk to members of the solar car team.
Monday, Sept. 6
University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
U of M 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. Come see the latest solar car built by University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering undergraduate students that recently finished second in the cross country 2010 American Solar Challenge race. The car also won the electrical excellence award and the team won the sportsmanship award for the third consecutive time. See the inner workings of the car and talk to members of the solar car team.