Educational Activities at the Fair

Children milking a cow in Agriland
AGRILAND: Located in the Pride of Kansas Building. Children visiting Agriland gain hands on experience learning how Kansas crops and livestock provide us not only with food, but also with other numerous items we use in our everyday lives from basketball to bubblegum. Volunteers are available to talk to the students about Kansas crops and livestock and answer any questions. Children can weigh themselves on a livestock scale, comparing themselves with the weights of a calf or other young animals. They can view growing crops, touch the various grains, and "drive" a combine.
Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Experience Time: Approx. 20 minutes.

Related Lesson Plans: Located at www.ksagclassroom.org (Provided by Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom)

Cost: Free For more information contact: Jessica Bowser, Kansas Department of Agriculture (785) 296-3902.

 
BIRTHING CENTER: Located at 20th Ave. and Fort Scott Blvd.Presented by Kansas State University and the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association. Calves, ewes, piglets and chicks are born during the course of the Fair, and students can learn about this amazing process and may, at times, get to hold the baby animals. Video cameras, television monitors and a P.A. system help students in all areas of the Center to see and hear what's happening in the pens. The Birthing Center is staffed with K-State veterinary students who are very willing to share information with school groups. There are also educational displays identifying animal sections.
Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Experience Time: as long as you want

Cost: Free

For more information contact: Shelie Laflin, slaflin@vet.k-state.edu
 
C-O-R-N IT'S EAR-RESISTIBLE!: Location to be determined at time of reservation.

Get an earful of information about corn! Learn facts about the production, food and new uses of corn in Kansas. Learn what happens to the corn after it has been harvested. Teacher packets will be provided upon request.
Hours of Operation: By appointment only

Experience Time: 20 minutes

Related Lesson Plans: Located at www.ksagclassroom.org

(Provided by Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom)

Cost: Free

For more information contact: Jessica Baetz, 785-448-6922 or Fax: 785-448-6932


DO ART BUILDING: Located at the corner of Lake Talbott Ave and Bison Blvd North of the Giant Slide

Each year over 4,000 children of all ages create masterpieces at the Do Art Building.This program is free to the general public as well as school classes. The purpose of this program is to provide children an opportunity to explore art in a hands-on environment that increases self understanding and personal enrichment. Your students will be provided with the supplies and assistance to complete their project. Reservations required for school classes. The 2012 project/theme is Space. Please call for Reservations.

Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Experience Time: 30 minutes

Cost: Free (Donations Accepted)

For more information contact: Anthea Bryant, Kansas State Fair 620-669-3608


DR. GODDARD'S LAB: Located in the West end of the Do Art Building. (see location above)

Students experience the early research laboratory of the father of modern rocketry. Dr. Robert Goddard's live rocket science show is packed with surprises. Demonstrations highlight early experiments with solid and liquid fueled rocket engines. Dr. Goddard's Lab is brought to you by the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center.

Times of Operation: 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 2:00 p.m.

Experience Time: 30 minutes

Cost: Free

For more information contact: Education Coordinator: 620-662-2305 X 323
 
ELECTRICAL SAFETY DEMONSTRATION: Located East of Oz Gallery

Journeyman Linemen with the Kansas Electrical Cooperative will give a high voltage demonstration on how electricity works. Students will learn how to tell when a line is energized, what protective gear linemen use and why, what happens to a person when they come into contact with an energized line, why electricity arcs and why birds can land safely on power lines.

Hours of Operation: Running every 15-20 min from 9:00 am to 1 :00 pm Monday - Friday

Experience Time: 15 minutes

Cost: Free

For more information contact: Shana Holsteen, KEC, 785-478-4852 or email sholsteen@kec.org


EXOTIC ANIMAL PETTING ZOO: Located at 20th Ave. and Fort Scott Blvd.

Students will be able to see animals not native to Kansas. Short descriptions are provided on each animal. This is an interactive area where children can touch the animals, including kangaroos, goats, ostriches and zebras. Remember, after petting the animals to Wash Your Hands!

Hours of Operation: 10:00 a.m. until dark

Experience Time: 15 minutes

Cost: Free

For more information contact: Joe Hedrick, 620-422-3296


FARM BUREAU AG CENTRAL: Located at Fort Leavenworth Blvd. and Wheat State Lane
AgMAZEing Adventures await at the Kansas State Fair Kansas Farm Bureau will unveil its new technology-based adventure for kids at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. The experience includes four kiosks with computer-based games that appeal to kids with games from My American Farm website like "Let's Make Something Tasty" and "Spin and Solve". A quiz specific to Kansas agriculture brings the experience to their backyard! A large monitor anchors the exhibit with feature stories on Kansas farmers and ranchers! The booth is located in the middle of the Pride of Kansas building. Kids coming through the booth receive a collector card. But the adventure doesn't end there... take a short walk outside and head north (by the arena) and you'll find Kailey's AgMAZEing Adventure waiting for you. This straw-bale maze has an accompanying quiz which leads you through to find the correct answers. Finish the maze and receive a collector card! More than 120 volunteer farmers and ranchers will host both booths throughout the 10-day state fair. The volunteers will talk with kids about the crops they grow and animals they raise. What a great way to connect kids of all ages with the people who grow and raise the food they eat!
Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Experience Time: Total 20 minutes
Cost: Free
For more information contact: Angie Sutton, KFB Safety and Ag Education, mailto:suttona@kfb.org, 785-770-7031

 
FFA AGRICULTURE: Located in the Agriculture Education Exhibits Building and Kansas Showcase Bldg.
The FFA Agricultural Education Building features activities that appeal to youth. FFA representatives provide live, educational demonstrations and hands-on educational activities. Grand Champion 4-H/FFA Beef, Sheep and Swine will be displayed here.

Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. to Dark

Experience Time: 15 Minutes

Cost: Free

For more information contact: Vernon Schweer, Kansas FFA 785-296-3956
    
GIVE A CHICKEN A BATH DEMONSTRATION: Located North of the Poultry Barn
Come see how you would give a chicken a bath.
Hours of Operation: Daily starting Saturday at 10:30am & 2pm
Cost: Free
For more information contact: Debbie Anderson at 620-669-3614.

HIGH SCHOOL DEBATES:Located in the Encampment Building, Hansen Auditorium
A grand tradition at the Fair are the High School Debates! The Kansas State Fair hosts an educational debate exhibition for High School debaters and debate coaches from around the State. Volunteers will be available to assist students and instructors.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday 9:00 a.m.
Cost: Free
For more information contact: Special Events 620-669-3610 or 620-669-3624
Sponsored by Kansas Wesleyan University
 
HOW DO YOU SPELL GRAIN SORGHUM? M-I-L-O! Location determined when reservation is made. More acres of grain sorghum, also known as milo, were grown in Kansas than any other state in the nation last year! Grain sorghum originated in Africa but is a very important crop in the United States today. Learn interesting facts about milo and the way it is being used for food, feed and industrial uses. Teacher packets provided upon request.
Hours of Operation: Reservation required

Experience Time: 20 minutes

Related lesson plans: Located at www.ksagclassroom.org

(Provided by Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom)

Cost: Free

For more information contact: Jessica Baetz 785-448-6922 FAX 785-448-6932
KANSAS SQUARE DANCERS: Located at the Bretz Law Arena
Learn the art of square dancing. As our forefathers traveled across this wonderful country, they would stop their wagon trains for the night and in order to relax, they would get out the fiddle and the settlers would square dance with the light of their bond fires. As they settled on the prairies everyone would gather together and have a barn rais'n with food and dancing. Over the years square dancing has changed and now we, as our forefathers did, get together and square dance. Where they had Big Circle Dances and couple dances, we have circle dances, line dancing, and couple dancing that is structured towards all ages, 8 to 88.
You will have the opportunity to join in the fun by doing a favorite line dance the "Cupid Scuffle" and then learn some of the Square Dance moves your forefathers did, but with modern square dance music. Square Dancing is good exercise, helps you in your coordination, teaches you to listen; understand; and execute the commands while having fun with your friends.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday, September 13th from Noon to 1:00pm
Cost: Free
 
KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, PARKS & TOURISM AQUARIUM: Located North of the Expo Center by Gate 9
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks invites visitors to take a close-up look at an impressive assortment of Kansas fish. This 3,200-gallon fresh water mobile aquarium is 40-foot-long and filled with a variety of fish collected from lakes around the region. Wildlife and Parks staff will be on hand to answer questions.
Cost: Free
For more information contact: Pratt Wildlife and Parks Office, 620-672-5911.
 

MILKING DEMONSTRATIONS: Located at the Milking Parlor.

Come to the Kansas State Fair and see a dairy cow milking demonstration. The demonstrations are narrated by a professional from the dairy industry. The narrator will explain the life cycle of a dairy cow, the milking process, how much milk they produce, how much a cow eats and the many dairy products made from milk. The milking experience continues with a coupon for a free ice cream cone from the Dairy Bar, located under the Grandstand. (one coupon per child). Milking Demonstrations brought to you by the Kansas State Fair and the Kansas Dairy Association. Reservations not required.

Hours of Operation: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. every hour on the hour.

Experience Time: 15 Minutes

Related Lesson Plans: "Milk Moustache Photo" Grades 3-4. Provided by Kansas Ag in the Classroom www.ksagclassroom.org
Cost: Free

For more information contact: Mike Bodenhausen at 785-741-2059 but no reservations are taken.
 

SEED SURVIVOR: Located by the Technology Building next to the KS Lottery Bldg on Bison Blvd.
Agrium is teaching the next generation about agriculture through Seed Survivor Mobile Classroom.  This free, curriculum-based learning experience encourages children in Grades 1 through 6 to master the elements that plants need to grow.  From virtulal reality games, a sunflower seed planting station, to talking walls and much more. Teachers, students and parent volunteers love the learning that takes place.  
Hours of Operation: Daily 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Experience Time: 20-30 Minutes
Related Lesson Plans:Visit Seed Survivor for teachers guide.
Cost: Free
For more information visit Seed Survivor

SHEEP SHEARING:Located in the Sheep/Swine/Goat facility.

The Wonder of Sheep is a limited opportunity to learn about a product with many faces. Sheep shearing demonstrations, spinning and weaving demonstrations as well as the "Wool Exhibit" featuring sheep production, lamb, wool and wool-processing displays. A must see for all students.

Times of Operation: Saturday thru Wednesday 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

For more information contact: Sheila Corn 620-960-1416
 
THE SOIL GUYS: Located at the Bretz Law Arena
This program takes a light-hearted approach at teaching soils and agriculture to children grades 2nd-6th. The Soil Guys show the importance of soil and water conservation in our daily lives. They use water balloons to show the effects of erosion and candy bars to explain soil development. Students and Teachers are selected to aide in the demonstrations. Teachers may receive an educational packet on conservation related materials if interested.
Times of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 11:00 a.m.
Experience Time: 30 minutes
Cost: Free
For more information contact: John Warner, USDA-NRCS 785-823-4559 or john.warner@ks.usda.gov    
 
SPELLING BEE: Located in the Encampment Building, Kansas Fairs Hall
Can you spell leadership? The Kansas State Fair is proud to host the Kansas State Fair Spelling Bee! Students have the opportunity to compete with the best in the State! Practice all summer and come to the Fair and see how you rank. WOW! Wouldn't it be fun to take home the award and a check?
Times of Operation: Monday 9:00 am
Cost: Free
For more information contact: Special Events 620-669-3610 or 620-669-3624
 
YOU BE THE JUDGE:Located throughout the livestock facilities.

You be the judge program is a wonderful way for students to learn about different livestock animals, what products are produced from that animal and gives students an understanding of what is happening in the show ring. Each of the livestock buildings at the Kansas State Fair has a "You Be the Judge" stand that contains informational flyers about the animals housed in that building. The flyers explain what the judge is looking for in each animal, correct terms used to identify the specie, a diagram labeling the different body parts and a section where the students can participate in judging the animals in the ring. Give your students a chance to be the judge and see how well they do!

Hours of Operation: Refer to Official Daily Schedule of Events for livestock show times.

Experience Time: No time frame
Cost: Free

For more information contact: Debbie Anderson, 620-669-3614.