CSE at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair

Exhibits will showcase the relevance of science, engineering, and mathematics

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 2026 Minnesota State Fair. The University of Minnesota Building 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 and in the University of Minnesota Research Building.

Thursday, Aug. 27

• STEM Day at the Fair
  8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  Dan Patch Park—next to the Grandstand
  
  Join SciMathMN in inspiring Minnesota’s next generation of dreamers, builders and STEM innovators. This year’s STEM Day theme, “Hands-On STEM: Build It. Test It. Change the World,” invites young minds to roll up their sleeves and experience the excitement of science, technology, engineering and math through real-world building, experimenting and problem-solving — proving that learning is most powerful when you can touch it, test it and see its impact. This theme inspires youth to see themselves as innovators and changemakers, reinforcing that the skills they develop today through hands-on STEM learning are the very skills that will shape healthier communities, drive new discoveries and transform our world tomorrow. 

  A variety of University of Minnesota science and engineering faculty, staff, and students are involved in STEM Day at the Fair. 

  The University of Minnesota Physics Force will also perform on the stage at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. on the Dan Patch Park Stage. Physics Force is a University of Minnesota outreach program committed to generating scientific interest in K-12 students. They go above and beyond to educate and entertain; doing things on a grand scale to bring excitement and wonder to the thousands of students who attend their shows every year.
   

• Minnesota Geological Survey/Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
  9 a.m-9 p.m.
  University of Minnesota Central Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
  
  Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS) will present information about the organization, the geologic maps it produces, and have fun information about Minnesota's geology, including some rock and fossil samples from around the state.

Friday, Aug. 28

• "Having the AI Talk"
  2:30-9 p.m.
  University of Minnesota Research Building—Cooper and Cosgrove Streets
  
  Has your family had the "AI talk?" Computer scientists invite youth ages 11-17 and their grown-ups to co-create their house rules for AI use. Come and shape the future of AI!

Monday, Aug. 31

• "Let's Check Your Balance" 
  9 a.m.-2 p.m.
  University of Minnesota Research Building—Cooper and Cosgrove Streets
  
  One of the primary risk factors for falls in the United States is postural instability, which involves the loss of balance and postural reflexes. While postural instability is common with age, diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) exacerbate the process. PD specific postural instability is unresponsive to existing treatment strategies, and its understanding is limited to subjective clinical assessments and complex research settings. 
  
  This research study, conducted by Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) researchers Matthew Johnson and Noeline Prins-Horton, aims to develop a machine learning algorithm that can objectively identify and rate Parkinson's disease (PD) postural instability using sensor technology.

Wednesday, Sept. 2

• NSF ATP-Bio
  9 a.m.-9 p.m.
  University of Minnesota Central Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
  
  The Advanced Technologies for Preservation of Biological Systems (ATP-Bio) exhibit offers a unique opportunity for fairgoers to delve into the future of cryopreservation and its potential to transform various aspects of society. For more information about ATP-Bio and its initiatives, visit the ATP-Bio website.

Friday, Sept. 4

• "What is the Speed of Your Heartbeat?"
  9 a.m.-2 p.m.
  University of Minnesota Research Building—Cooper and Cosgrove Streets
  
  Kinesiology Professor Don Dengel in the College of Education and Human Development, and Victor Borocas, College of Science and Engineering Associate Dean and Professor in Biomedical Engineering, will explain Pulse Wave Velocity, a speed test for your heartbeat’s vibration as it travels through your body. Doctors use this measurement to determine the stiffness of your blood vessels and predict your cardiovascular health. The stiffer the blood vessels the faster the wave moves and the harder the heart must work to pump blood.

Saturday, Sept. 5

• School of Mathematics Mathematics Center for Educational Programs (MathCEP)
  9 a.m.-9 p.m.
  University of Minnesota Central Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
  
  Dedicated to educational outreach, MathCEP's mission is to develop materials and programs for mathematics students and instructors at all levels. This exhibit will include small math-related activities (tracing puzzles, tessellation tiles, etc.) for kids and adults!

Sunday, Sept. 6

• Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering: Where Engineering and Business Meet
  9 a.m.-9 p.m.
  University of Minnesota Central Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
  
  Industrial and Systems Engineering's displays will showcase what it is and how it is used in the real world. Alumni and current students will be on hand to answer questions.
   
• "What is the Speed of Your Heartbeat?"
  9 a.m.-2 p.m.
  University of Minnesota Research Building—Cooper and Cosgrove Streets
  
  Kinesiology Professor Don Dengel in the College of Education and Human Development, and Victor Borocas, College of Science and Engineering Associate Dean and Professor in Biomedical Engineering, will explain Pulse Wave Velocity, a speed test for your heartbeat’s vibration as it travels through your body. Doctors use this measurement to determine the stiffness of your blood vessels and predict your cardiovascular health. The stiffer the blood vessels the faster the wave moves and the harder the heart must work to pump blood.

Monday, Sept. 7

• Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics
  9 a.m.-8 p.m.
  University of Minnesota Central Exhibit Building—Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street
  
  Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics (MIfA) will present several astronomy-related activities such as demos on gravitational lensing and spectra. See real meteorites from space and learn about the astrophysics program and public events at the University of Minnesota.