Stories tagged Minnesota State Fair

Fair opinions: While having fun on rides and eating foods on a stick, Minnesotans also spent time at the State Fair weighing in on issues of science, health and safety.I guess this qualifies me to officially be a “wonk,” but one of the things I love to do at the Minnesota State Fair is take the issues poll at the Minnesota State House of Representatives booth at the Education Building. Fair-goers this year weighed on their opinions on a number of issues that have been recent Science Buzz topics.

First the disclaimer, this poll is by no means scientific and the results are drawn from the responses of about 7,000 fair-goers. Even worse, based on what I’ve seen from past years, lawmakers rarely take these opinions into consideration when drafting legislation on the topics.

Here are Science Buzz worthy highlights from the poll:

• Should the fine for moving traffic violations be doubled if the driver is using a cell phone at the time of the infraction?
Yes -- 66.6%
No -- 25.7%
Undecided/No Opinion -- 7.6%

• Would you be willing to pay an extra 10 cents per gallon for gas if all the money goes toward state road and bridge improvements?
Yes -- 58.3%
No -- 33.5%
Undecided/No Opinion -- 8.2%

Interestingly, last year only 41% of poll responders said yes to the same question prior to the I-35W bridge collapse.

• Do you support legislation that would prohibit people from suing food manufacturers and vendors for weight gain as a result of consuming certain foods?
Yes -- 68.6%
No -- 24.3%
Undecided/No Opinion -- 7.1%

• Should the state allow for medical uses of marijuana?
Yes -- 58.0%
No -- 30.3%
Undecided/No Opinion -- 11.7%

• Should smoking be prohibited within 50 feet of an entrance to public buildings?
Yes -- 70.2%
No -- 24.7%
Undecided/No Opinion -- 5.1%

• Should grants be made to public school districts to provide locally-grown food as part of the school lunch program?
Yes -- 61.3%
No -- 26.6%
Undecided/No Opinion -- 12.1%

• And this just for fun: Invented in Faribault in 1926, should the Tilt-A-Whirl be designated the State Amusement Ride?
Yes -- 47.3%
No -- 21.5%
Undecided/No Opinion -- 31.2%

What do you think of these public opinions? Share your thoughts here with other Science Buzz readers.

Tags : health, bridge collapse, Minnesota State Fair, science opinions

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Chain reactions: WCCO-TV will be attempting to power up its newscasts from the Minnesota State Fair from electricity generated by people riding stationary bikes at its fairgrounds studio. Can it be done? Stay tuned to channel 4.Have you ever wanted to “make the news?”

WCCO-TV will be giving its viewers that chance, literally, this year at the Minnesota State Fair. The station is planning to power up several of its evening newscasts from the fairgrounds on the power generated through the legs of fairgoers riding stationary bikes.

You might have seen the ads on TV. Information on the WCCO-TV website is still sketchy as to what days and times the pedal-powered newscasts will be aired and how to get involved. The Minnesota State Fair opens Thursday and runs through Labor Day.

But any one who’s been to the Science Museum’s Experiment Gallery knows that a good amount of electrical energy can be generated from some quick pedal strokes on a bike. A stationary bike there generates enough power, usually in quick bursts of pedaling, to run a radio, light up light bulbs and even ring a doorbell.

Of course, I suppose if you’re pedaling to power the news and you don’t like the anchorperson or reporter coming on the screen, you can suddenly stop and put them off the air. I think I’m coming to like this concept more and more!

Here’s my question: how many cyclists do you think it would take to power up the equipment of a newscast? I have no idea, but I’d love to hear your predictions. Do you think this is even possible to accomplish? I’m sure WCCO is very interested, as well.

Tags : electricity, bike power, Minnesota State Fair, WCCO-TV

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