July 20, 2009

Purdue state fair exhibits combine learning and fun

The eight exhibits feature a variety of hands-on activities, said Danica Kirkpatrick, Purdue Agriculture events and educational activities coordinator.

"In the Pavilion this year we have a very exciting and diverse selection of exhibits, ranging from personal finance, to veterinary medicine," Kirkpatrick said.

One exhibit expected to attract large crowds is the Genomics eXplorer.

"The Genomics eXplorer looks at cutting-edge research taking place at Purdue and how plant genomics can help solve problems such as nutritional deficiencies in other countries," said Jon Bricker, Purdue exhibit center coordinator. "Visitors to the exhibit will be able to walk through a giant cell, stop by the DNA Diner, and look at a giant flower pot, which provides information about plant genomics' benefit to agriculture."

Other exhibits include:

* What Does It Take To Be Today's Farmer? - Experience the life of today's farmer and what goes into raising crops and livestock.

* What's Bugging Belva - They might look scary, but insects are cool creatures once you get to know them.

* Invest in Your Future: Money Doesn't Grow on Trees - Learn how the Purdue-based Indiana Council for Economic Education helps people better understand economics and personal finance.

* A Continuum of Excellence: Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine - Fifty years ago the School of Veterinary Medicine opened at Purdue. This exhibit looks at the school's past, present and future.

* Find the Career That's Right for You - Visitors can take a closer look at agricultural careers and what it takes to enroll at Purdue.

* Universal Design: Housing Solutions for All Ages and Abilities - Can home environments and products be both attractive and easy for all people to use? Yes, and this exhibit shows how.

* Local Decision Maker: Plan Your Future - As communities across Indiana struggle with land use issues, Purdue Extension's Web-based Local Decision Maker program provides a valuable resource.

A full list of all the exhibits with descriptions can be found by visiting www.ag.purdue.edu/extension/Documents/
2009PurdueSFExhibits.pdf

"We hope that visitors to the Pavilion are able to take away a sense of pride in the fact that one of the most important research universities is located here in Indiana, and that the discoveries taking place at Purdue affect all of us, thus bringing benefit to our lives today and tomorrow," Bricker said.

The Indiana State Fair runs from Aug. 7-23 at the state fairgrounds in Indianapolis. The Pioneer Our Land Pavilion is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the fair.

Writer: Ashley Bechman, (765) 494-8402, aabechma@purdue.edu

Sources: Danica Kirkpatrick, (765) 494-9113, dkirkpat@purdue.edu

Jon Bricker, (765) 496-7843, jonbricker@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Steve Leer, sleer@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

Note to Journalists: Chuck Hibberd, director of Purdue Extension, will conduct a media tour of the Purdue exhibits in the Pioneer Our Land Pavilion at 10 a.m. Aug. 7. Those media representatives interested in attending can meet Hibberd at the Purdue information booth inside the Pavilion. For more information, contact Steve Leer, Purdue Agricultural Communication, at 765-494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu

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