STEM Activities Engage Families at Iowa State Fair

Fairgoers flooded the Grand Concourse to participate in hands-on STEM activities during STEM Day at the Fair.
Fairgoers flooded the Grand Concourse to participate in hands-on STEM activities on August 21, during STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair.

From traditional fair experiences of farm animals, food on a stick and talent shows to innovative STEM activities including robots, virtual reality tennis and aquaponics, the 2022 STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair had something for everyone. Twenty exhibits by STEM partners representing industry, higher education, K-12, clubs, and nonprofits lined the Grand Concourse and quickly captured fairgoers with hands-on STEM learning. The STEM Council reached approximately 6,000 fairgoers with STEM backpacks and 3,000 take-home STEM activities.

Live STEM performances were held on the MidAmerican Energy Stage from Blank Park Zoo, Blue Origin, Iowa State University Insect Zoo, the Science Center of Iowa and Wartburg College Herpetology.

A special program was held including remarks from Gov. Kim Reynolds and her STEM Council co-chair Diane Young, Owner and Director of Technical Services at Foundation Analytical Laboratory,  as well as Google Regional Head of Public Policy and External Affairs Dan Harbeke, Kemin Industries Vice President and General Counsel Libby Nelson and Blue Origin Senior Vice President for Sales, Marketing and Strategy Michael Edmonds. The program also recognized the six recipients of the 2022 Iowa STEM Teacher Award, sponsored by Kemin Industries, for inspiring a passion in STEM fields and making a difference in the lives of young Iowans.

STEM Day at the Iowa State Fair was made possible by sponsors, including Alliant Energy, Collins Aerospace, Google and MidAmerican Energy, and nearly 200 exceptional volunteers.

Check out the fun from this year’s STEM Day at the Fair on our Facebook page.

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