Spring Fest 2009 features more than 30 sites packed with fun activities around Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus.
Information about the activities at each site appears below.
You can also download a Spring Fest 2009 map and program (PDF).
Information Tent
19th Annual Entomology Bug Bowl
Purdue Agriculture
Annual Horticulture Show
Delta Lambda Phi
Purdue Fencing Club
19th Annual Entomology Bug Bowl
Department of Animal Sciences
19th Annual Entomology Bug Bowl
Departments of Agronomy and Botany and Plant Pathology
Department of Biological Sciences
Discovery Park
Department of Biochemistry
Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
Department of Agricultural Economics
Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering
Purdue Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects
Food Science Fun Fair
Annual Horticulture Show
Annual School of Veterinary Medicine Open House
Indiana University School of Medicine - Lafayette
Purdue Army ROTC
19th Annual Entomology Bug Bowl
Purdue Grand Prix Foundation
Krannert School of Management
Purdue Athletics
College of Consumer and Family Sciences
College of Science
College of Technology
Colelge of Education
Purdue Galleries
College of Liberal Arts
College of Engineering
Purdue Libraries
Spring Fest Showcase
Site 1: Information Tent
Saturday and Sunday Activities:
- Stop by for Spring Fest information and travel directions.
- Get your Spring Fest maps and scavenger hunt questions, and redeem your Spring Fest Stamp Collector stamps from the back of your map for a prize!
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Site 2: 19th Annual Entomology Bug Bowl
Other Bug Bowl activities at sites 7, 9, 23, and 34
The entire family can learn about the biology, ecology, and diversity of insects.
Site 2 is the main tent and it features:
- Insects as food
- Insect games
- Chocolate-covered crickets
- WBUG radio
- Balloons
- Refreshment and Bug Bowl T-shirt sales
- "Robotic" beetle battles - featuring the first Robot Insect Battles sponsored by the Thomas Say Society
- Monarch butterfly display
- Entomology color by number mural
Purdue Entomology's Bug Bowl Web site
Thomas Say Entomological Society Robot Battles
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Site 3: Purdue Agriculture
Cheer for your favorite flounder at the goldfish races and jump into a game of animal twister. The kids can pet a 4-H rabbit, watch a rocket launch, and make an Earth Day bracelet. Fill up with a walking taco, and then outfit yourself with a new College of Agriculture T-shirt. Don't forget to pick up Purdue Agriculture playing cards and coffee mugs. You might also be interested in:
Purdue Collegiate 4-H
Sigma Alpha Professional Sorority
Purdue Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow
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Site 4: Purdue Horticulture Society's 96th Annual Horticulture Show
Join us 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for Modern H2O: Growing Against the Flow. See the recently created beautiful landscape on the west side of the Horticulture building, get ideas for your home landscape, or purchase a variety of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals (proceeds support the Purdue Horticulture Society). Other Horticulture Show activities are at site 19.
Purdue Horticulture Club
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Go Green at Spring Fest with Construction Madness. Learn how you can help the planet and construct interesting structures all out of recyclable goods. Get creative and build the tallest, cutest, or most innovative structure.
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Site 6: Purdue Fencing Club
Participate in balloon fencing with friends and family. Gear up with uniforms, masks, and swords, and pop your opponent's two balloons before they pop yours. Each bout is $1 per person. Don't forget to bring your questions about fencing to our volunteers.
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Site 7: 19th Annual Entomology Bug Bowl
Other Bug Bowl activities at sites 2, 7, 23, and 34
The entire family can learn about the biology, ecology, and diversity of insects.
Site 7 (inside Pfendler Hall) includes:
- Dan Capps' insect collection
- Cake decorating exhibit
- Beetle battles
- Forensic Science Club: CSI (Saturday only)
Purdue Entomology's Bug Bowl Web site
Thomas Say Entomological Society Robot Battles
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Site 8: Department of Animal Sciences - Boiler Barnyard
See live animals, sheep shearing demonstrations, and milk a dairy cow before churning milk into butter. Ride a pony or win a fish, play animal trivia games, hold a baby chick, and enjoy coloring pages. Discover new facts on our educational displays for consumer products. Animal Sciences apparel, informational handouts, hamburger, hot dogs, soft drinks, grilled cheese, milk, and ice creams will all be available.
Purdue Animal Sciences
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Site 9: 19th Annual Entomology Bug Bowl
Other Bug Bowl activities at sites 2, 7, 23, and 34
The entire family can learn about the biology, ecology, and diversity of insects.
Site 9 (inside Smith Hall) features:
- Observation room
- Insect crafts and face painting
- Egyptian scarab beetle exhibit
- Invasive species exhibit
- Insect petting zoo
- Roach races at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
- Roach Motel
- Honey tasting
- Virtual insects
- 4-H state fair winners' insect collections
Purdue Entomology's Bug Bowl Web site
Thomas Say Entomological Society Robot Battles
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Site 10: Departments of Agronomy and Botany and Plant Pathology
The Agronomy Department will be sharing hands-on activities in front of Lilly Hall of Life Sciences. Visit the antique tractor exhibit on the lawn and then learn about popcorn, how it pops, and get a free sample inside the tent. Activities include:
- Genetics - Where'd You Get Those Genes?
- An interactive demonstration on soil erosion, control, and drainage
- Wind energy and making a windmill
The Botany & Plant Pathology Department will host many different displays:
- See insect-devouring plants up close
- Create and decorate your own plant pet, water it, and watch its "hair" grow
- Learn about trichomes - plant hairs - and observe them up close
- Free face painting and balloons
- Learn what it means to be a plant doctor
- Buy and take home flowers, herbs, vegetables, and whole tomato plants
Purdue Agronomy
Purdue Botany & Plant Pathology
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Site 11: Department of Biological Sciences
Saturday Activities Only
Visit Lilly Hall for a hands-on tidal pool with sea urchins, starfish, and sand dollars; observe chicken and sea urchin embryos; explore the behavior of mantis shrimp and weakly electric fish; and come for a chance to have an electrocardiogram. We have free popcorn.
Purdue Biological Sciences BioMedia Center for Instructional Design
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Site 12: Discovery Park
Saturday Activities Only
It's worth a walk to Discovery Park to play games that demonstrate how your brain functions, explore how beetles drink water in the desert, understand the nanoscale through geckos, produce electricity through a bike, eat a 100 billion nanogramer (hamburger), and much more. Tours are available at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and start at the Burton Morgan Center, room 121. Free parking.
Discovery Park
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Site 13: Department of Biochemistry - Inside Biochemistry Building
Saturday Activities Only
Biochemistry Club members have food on their minds this year. Visit the teaching lab to learn about a surprising similarity between you and the things you eat. Scientists of any age are invited to discover the basics of biochemistry in hands-on experiments using real techniques and everyday food items.
Purdue Biochemistry
Purdue Biochemistry Club
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Site 14: Department of Forestry & Natural Resources
Saturday Activities Only
See live reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Try your hand at fishing or making a pine cone bird feeder. Learn about trees, wildlife, and recycling. Be sure to stop at the Forest Products Building to see a wooden boat show, watch a wood saw in action, learn how a router can make art, and grab a hamburger or hot dog. To reduce your carbon footprint, tree seedlings will be available for planting in your yard. And Smokey Bear will be here for a little hand-shaking and picture-taking.
Purdue Forestry & Natural Resources
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Site 15: Department of Agricultural Economics
Saturday Activities Only
Test your knowledge of agricultural commodities and markets with our interactive trivia game. Match farm products to their consumer products, and learn so many fun facts they will make your head spin.
Purdue Agricultural Economics
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Site 16: Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering
Saturday Activities Only
See Old and New Iron: Classic Tractors on display. Back by popular demand: a chance to win an children's playhouse built during Spring Fest. New this year: enjoy the sounds of The Purdue Bluegrass Club at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Also, participate in a pedal-power tractor obstacle course and get a free farm safety coloring book when you finish. Get your face painted and test your sense of smell. Enjoy pork and buffalo burgers, drinks, popcorn, and balloons.
Purdue Agricultural & Biological Engineering
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Site 17: Purdue Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects
Visit the ASLA Design Charette, showcasing the design tools and processes of landscape architecture students.
American Society of Landscape Architects
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Site 18: Food Science Fun Fair
Saturday Activities Only
The fun fair features can banks, cotton candy, sensory tests, the "What is Food?" science display, a non-Newtonian pool, make your own gummy worms area, fresh-made doughnuts, and Diet Coke rockets.
Purdue Food Science
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Site 19: Purdue Horticulture Society's 96th Annual Horticulture Show
Saturday Activities Only
Other Horticulture Show activities at site 4
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Site 20: 46th Annual School of Veterinary Medicine Open House - A Journey Through Time
Saturday Activities Only
The School of Veterinary Medicine turns 50 this year. Join in the fun with our students, staff, and faculty as we celebrate this milestone. See live animal spay/neuter, demonstrations, exotic animals, 4-H veterinary science state fair displays, class exhibits, special lectures, and the Vet Olympics. Tour the facility and attend an admissions session for the veterinary medicine and veterinary technology programs. Food and merchandise will be sold.
Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine
School of Veterinary Medicine Open House
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Site 21: Indiana University School of Medicine - Lafayette (on the campus of Purdue University)
Saturday Activities Only
Visit the IU School of Medicine - Lafayette in Lynn Hall, room 2213. Learn about the nutritional value of some of your favorite foods and walk through a demonstration of the parts of the digestive tract at the Digestive System Station. Next, get your blood pressure taken at the Heart Station. While you're there, learn all about heart health and what you can do to take care of one of the body's most important parts. The Skeletal Station features an interactive display with the bones of the human body, an expanded skull model, and reflex testing.
Indiana University School of Medicine - Lafayette (on the campus of Purdue University)
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Site 22: Purdue Army ROTC
Discover what the Army ROTC has to offer for your future.
Army ROTC
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Site 23: 19th Annual Entomology Bug Bowl
Other Bug Bowl activities at sites 2, 9, 23, and 34
Saturday Activities Only
The entire family can learn about the biology, ecology, and diversity of insects.
Site 23 is on the Purdue Memorial Mall and features cricket spitting.
Purdue Entomology's Bug Bowl Web site
Thomas Say Entomological Society Robot Battles
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Site 24: Purdue Grand Prix Foundation
Saturday Activities Only
Enjoy racing? Visit the Purdue Grand Prix Foundation tent. Take pictures with drivers from this year's Grand Prix Race, get a bird's-eye-view of their racing karts, and purchase your tickets and t-shirts for the race the following weekend. Practice your own racing skills with a simulated mini race, and participate in arts and crafts. Also, learn how to get a sneak peek at the brand new racing facility.
Purdue Grand Prix Foundation
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Site 25: Krannert School of Management
Saturday Activities Only
Meet with Krannert School of Management students and learn about the exciting things happening at Krannert. Be sure to test your skills at the putting green for a chance to win prizes.
Krannert School of Management
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Site 25: Purdue Athletics
Sunday Activities Only
Meet Boilermaker athletes and coaches.
Purdue Athletics
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Site 26: College of Consumer and Family Sciences
Play Wheel of Fortune with the CFS Ambassadors, sit on the lawn with your infant and toddler for story time, make a buggy craft to take home, have your milk mustache photo taken, dine in the HTM Cafe, win a cupcake during a cupcake walk, make paper dolls and color their clothes. Play the Grand Prize Game and earn money that you can spend on creepy crawly prizes.
College of Consumer and Family Sciences
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Site 27: College of Science
Saturday Activities Only
Take science from the textbook to real life with hands-on experiments. Explore science with popsicle stick catapults and games of chance. See demonstrations on weather, density, and tornados.
College of Science
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Site 28: College of Technology
Saturday Activities Only
Come for our activities on the Memorial Mall, including Purdue Pete's Bean Machine. Be sure to visit Aviation Technology's Fly-in Drive-in held at the Purdue airport.
College of Technology
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Site 29: College of Education
Saturday Activities Only
We make learning more fun than recess. Play Sudoku for kids, and check out our cool optical illusion board. While you're here, have your face painted or get a Boilermaker temporary tattoo.
College of Education
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Site 30: Purdue Galleries
Saturday Activities Only
Come for our activities on the Memorial Mall, including ArtCart sponsored by Purdue Galleries. We also have a hands-on block printmaking activity for everyone to enjoy.
The Robert L. Ringel Gallery located in Purdue Memorial Union features selections from the permanent collection in an exhibit titled, Shrouds, Masks and the Floating World. Textiles from Pre-Columbian South America, ceremonial masks from the West Guinea Coast of Africa and Japanese relief prints from the era of ukiyo-e (the Floating World) will be on extended display through 2009.
Purdue Galleries
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Site 31: College of Liberal Arts - Experience Liberal Arts
Saturday Activities Only
Watch as our Clay Club "pinches pots" or make your mark in a clay sculpture, pin the tail on the Democratic donkey and pin the trunk on the Republican elephant with Pi Sigma Alpha, learn about motorcycle safety with the Motorcycle Safety at Purdue Campaign, explore what noises can be harmful to your hearing with the Purdue Audiology Student Organization, match a country with their food/language/flag with DRIVEN, and create a mask with our two Anthropology student groups.
College of Liberal Arts
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Site 32: College of Engineering - Envision
Saturday Activities Only
Visit the College of Engineering's daylong showcase featuring many of our student organizations. See interactive displays and tour Purdue's finest laboratories. Participate in hands-on, fun engineering activities, and enjoy free snacks, balloons, and snow cones while you're attending. Envision is sponsored by the Purdue Engineering Student Council.
Purdue Engineering Student Council
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Site 33: Purdue Libraries - Stewart Center, room 428
Saturday Activities Only
Join us 11 a.m - 4 p.m. for a birthday party celebrating Purdue's 140th anniversary. Check out the new Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center, participate in family-friendly activities, view an exhibit about Purdue's founder, John Purdue, and get an up-close look at Purdue's proud history.
Purdue Libraries
The Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections Research Center
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Site 34: Spring Fest Showcase - Fowler Hall in Stewart Center
Saturday Activities Only
| 10 a.m. |
Traveling Physics FunFest: FunFest is a fast-paced, high-energy exhibition of basic physics concepts using demonstrations to delight and astound audiences of all ages. |
| 11:30 a.m. |
Bug Bowl Follies: This talent revue features brave community members presenting their best "insect inspired" talents for a panel of distinguished local judges. |
| 1 p.m. |
Entomology Quiz Bowl: Fifth graders from area schools square off for a friendly quiz bowl competition to test their knowledge of insect biology and ecology. |
| 2:30 p.m. |
Bug Bowl Follies: This talent revue features brave community members presenting their best "insect inspired" talents for a panel of distinguished local judges. |
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