Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe announced that the annual 11-day agriculture showcase will host its third year of science activities as part of an ongoing effort to demonstrate the significant correlation between science and today’s agriculture environment.
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New this year to the four-day science focus is an emphasis on green technology. In an event called, Show-Me the Green: Conservation, Energy and Innovation, fairgoers can participate in fun, hands-on experiences offered by a variety of leaders in agriculture, industry and education.
Show-Me the Green will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 in the new Show-Me Tent.
This new event will highlight the role green technology plays in agriculture, as well as Missouri’s leadership role," said Wolfe. "While having fun, experts will share exciting education-to-career pathway opportunities with fairgoers."
In addition to over 20 interactive exhibits, including a model wind farm demonstrating renewable energy from Missouri University Science and Technology, several state-of-the-art mobile tour units will be available for the public to explore, including units from Missouri Biotechnology and Missouri Western State University (MWSU).
The unit from MWSU, called the Bio Bus, is a 35-foot vehicle especially designed to engage middle and high school students through hands-on experiments.
The goal of the Bio Bus, according to MWSU, is to encourage students to understand the importance of science and to consider advanced study and careers in biotechnology that will serve agriculture-related areas, such as animal health and plant science.
The Agricultural Science Street Fair will also be hosted in the Show-Me Tent this year. The Street Fair is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13.
While enjoying the street-festival atmosphere, fairgoers may engage in science activities with several industry exhibitors, including Bayer CropScience and SySTEMic Innovations. Education will also be well represented, including State Fair Community College, Lincoln University, Missouri Community College Association and the University of Central Missouri.
Mobile tech units, like the 41-foot Monsanto MySci Investigation Station staffed by Washington University, will further engage the public in new technology and innovation during the Missouri State Fair.
Science excitement will continue with Show-Me Robotics as it returns for its third year, sponsored by Monsanto, from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 14 and 15 in the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall.
Robot demonstrations and interactive activities will fill the Assembly Hall on Sunday. On Monday, competitions will be staged between robotic teams from FIRST® LEGO® League, FIRST® Tech Challenge, FIRST® Robotics Competition, BEST, Botball and VEX.
The State Fair science events are being coordinated by Cynthia Kramer, executive director of Science and Citizens Organized for Purpose and Exploration (SCOPE), a nonprofit organization based in St. Louis, and Bill Pabst, University of Missouri Extension 4-H Youth Specialist.
More information on the science events, and a complete list of sponsors, is available at www.mostatefair.com. The Missouri State Fair is Aug. 11-21 in Sedalia, and is themed "It’s a Show-Me Thing!"