Inspiring STEM Learners at the Iowa State Fair

Children participate in a hands-on STEM activity at the State Fair.
Fairgoers were able to once again take part in STEM activities during STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair on August 22.

After a year away, STEM Day at the Fair was back on the Iowa State Fair Grand Concourse this year with 15 exhibiting partners, five stage acts and STEM career cutouts to inspire the next generation of thinkers and innovators.

Fairgoers could engage in a number STEM activities provided by exhibiting partners of the STEM Council, such as aquaponics systems from Ioponics, robot-controlled basketball from FIRST, coding activities from WorkSMART Connector and recycling plastic into usable products from STEM BEST Program Titan Plastics at Lewis Central Schools.

Northwest Regional Advisory Board Member and Librarian at Cherokee Public Library Tyler Hahn served at the MC for engaging experiments and performances held on the STEM stage throughout the day. Stage acts featured the Iowa State University Insect Zoo, Blank Park Zoo, FIRST LEGO League Challenge Team, a NASA solar system tour and the Science Center of Iowa.

A special program was held on the STEM stage including remarks from Governor and STEM Council Co-Chair Kim Reynolds, Foundation Analytical Laboratory Director of Technical Services/Owner and STEM Council Co-Chair Diane Young, STEM Council Executive Director Jeff Weld and Kemin President and CEO Dr. Chris Nelson. The 2021 STEM Teacher Award recipients were also honored for making a difference in the lives of students and igniting a passion for STEM beyond the classroom. 

STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair was made possible by more than 200 dedicated volunteers and this year’s sponsors including Alliant Energy, Associated General Contractors of Iowa, Collins Aerospace and ITC.

Relive the excitement of STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair through photos on our Facebook page.

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