August 16, 2006
Plenty to see and do in SIU tent at Du Quoin fair
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- It wouldn't be summer in Southern Illinois without the Du Quoin State Fair and it wouldn't be the Du Quoin State Fair without the popular Saluki "Dawg" fans. Every year the fan is one of the fair's hottest items that helps fair-goers cool off. Come pick up a free fan and catch the exciting exhibits and demonstrations at the Southern Illinois University tent and dome during the fair, Aug. 26-Sept. 4.
The SIU tent and dome will be open daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Demonstrations take place on weekdays 2-8 p.m. and on weekends 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Once again this year, air conditioning will keep visitors cool inside the dome. In addition to the new Saluki fan, give aways include jar grippers, pencils (just in time for school) and Frisbees.
Representatives from SIU Carbondale's admissions office will be available to answer questions about all the University's programs and there will be plenty of free give aways. Plus, four lucky people will win an Apple iPod, Saluki dog statue, autographed Saluki football and basketball.
Organizers are lining up 10 days of entertaining and educational events inside the tent and dome, including robotics demonstrations, a flight simulator, face painting, a hula-hoop contest and foreign language lessons. "Dawgzooka," the creation of the electronic systems technologies program, will shoot free Saluki T-shirts into the air.
You can also get free pulse and blood pressure screenings and even tips on how to prepare for an earthquake.
Here's the schedule of events:
Saturday, Aug. 26
KIDS DAY
The College of Education and Human Services will host a hula-hoop contest, provide face painting and give away bubble gum. SIUC's Craft Shop will have displays of student works and a Saluki dog statue that visitors can decorate. The drawing for a puppy statue, donated by the Craft Shop, is set for Sept. 4.
Sunday, Aug. 27
ENGINEERING DAY
The College of Engineering will display a hovercraft and a steel bridge – both created by students.
Monday, Aug. 28
INTERNATIONAL DAY
Representatives of SIUC's International Programs and Services and foreign language department will answer questions and hand out literature. There will be a colorful display of flags, music and clothing of different countries. Visitors can grab a free pop-up globe and get a foreign language lesson on a computer. There will also be lessons on calligraphy and origami.
Tuesday, Aug. 29
YOUR HEALTH, YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Faculty, staff and students from SIUC's physician assistant program will offer free blood pressure and pulse screenings. They will discuss nutrition, cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. There will also be patient education materials.
This is also Agriculture Day, and a representative of the College of Agricultural Sciences will provide information about the college's many programs. In addition, representatives of the turf management program will have a grass exhibit on which you will be able to "putt for a prize." Also, representatives of the food and nutrition program will tout the virtues of soy products, giving away soy snacks.
Wednesday, Aug. 30
FIND YOUR VOICE
Students and faculty from various departments of SIUC's College of Liberal Arts will discuss their academic programs. Participants include the Center for Crime, Delinquency and Corrections, paralegal studies, the political science department and the linguistics department. Visitors can have their voices analyzed by specialized computer software.
Thursday, Aug. 31
SCIENCE DAY
The College of Science will have fossils on display. Geologists will show an earthquake preparedness DVD and talk about the risks of earthquakes in Southern Illinois.
Friday, Sept. 1
EARTH DAY
Representatives from SIUC's Plant and Service Operations will have buckets filled with dirt and earthworms to teach about the value of recycling and composting.
Saturday, Sept. 2
AMAZING DESIGNS
Martin Hebel, assistant professor of electronic systems technologies, will demonstrate programmable and remote control robots. He will also fire free Saluki T-shirts into the crowd with "Dawgzooka."
Jon D. Davey, architecture professor in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts, will help children build "Buckey Balls," small geodesic structures that they can take home.
Sunday, Sept. 3
ALUMNI DAY
Alumni Day features graduates of SIUC, who will speak with fair-goers about the University's past and present. Visitors will enjoy the opportunity to meet a live Saluki.
Monday, Sept. 4
TRANSPORTATION DAY
Transportation day will showcase SIUC's renowned aviation and automotive programs, both part of the College of Applied Sciences and Arts. Young children will be able to climb into a flight simulator thanks to the aviation department. The automotive exhibit will include a model car that can be controlled by a laptop.
Infusing University pride throughout the external environment is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint the University is following as it approaches its 150th anniversary in 2019.
Saluki "Dawg" fans
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