ST[+r]EAM brings forward-thinking, innovative competitions front and center at the Fair.

Think of it as the evolution of the Oregon State Fair.

The Oregon State Fair’s ST[+r]EAM team is ramping for 2018 with brave new competitions that stand as a fascinating counterpoint to more traditional aspect of the Fair. They call it thinking outside of the box. Some say it’s breaking the mold. However you phrase it, there is this: ST[+r]EAM is a visceral celebration of Science, Technology, Math, Art and Reading. Welcome to the new age of the Oregon State Fair.

ST[+r]EAM

We have three brand new contests this year for makers of all ages. There’s plenty of opportunity for entrants in Robotics, Remote Control Vehicles, and Urban Agriculture. Handbook

Oregon Essay Contest

Announcing the first-ever Oregon Essay Contest, which encourages writers to explore the theme of WHY I LOVE MY COUNTY. There are several age categories. So crank up that laptop, or pull out that pen and paper….and begin writing! Handbook

• Results – Essay Contest

Building Blocks

This is one of the most popular ST[+r]EAM competitions to enter and to admire. Colorful, snap-together building blocks are used to create wondrous things…whatever the makers might imagine. This particular contest is similar to Building Blocks competition in our Crafts & Hobbies area, with a major new twist: lights and movement are involved! Handbook

• Results – Building Blocks
• Results – RC Cars

Don’t miss these interactive demonstrations by our awesome partners.

FIRST® POWER UPSM, the 2018 FIRST® Robotics Competition game, includes two alliances of video game characters and their human operators who are trapped in an arcade game. Both alliances are working to defeat the boss in order to escape!

Each three-team alliance prepares to defeat the boss in three ways:

1. Control the switches and the scale. Robots collect power cubes and place them on plates to control switches or the scale. When the scale or their switch is tipped in their favor, it is considered owned by that alliance. Alliances work to have ownership for as much time as possible.

2. Earn Power Ups. Robots deliver power cubes to their humans who then place them into the vault earning the alliance power ups. Alliancesuse power ups to gain a temporary advantage during the match. There are three power ups available to teams: Force, Boost, and Levitate.

• Force gives the alliance ownership of the Switch, Scale, or both for a limited period of time
• Boost doubles the rate points are earned for a limited period of time
• Levitate gives a robot a free climb

3. Climb the Scale. Robots Climb the Scale in order to be ready to Face The Boss.

The Imagination Playground presented by The Gilbert House is creative and fun for all sizes to build with. Builders’ imaginations can run wild as they combine different blocks into structures, systems or shapes.

Yet another attraction by our friends at Gilbert House is the Wind Tunnel: Set sail for the wild blue yonder! Explore lift, drag, velocity and more by building aerodynamic creations and testing them in a vertical wind tube.

It’s creative and fun for all ages.

Tuesday August 28: RC Competition
Check out one of the newest competitions at the Oregon State Fair – Remote Control Vehicles! Vehicles submitted for the competition will be displayed throughout Fair time, however on Tuesday, August 28 they will be showcased in STREAM. Live judging of the entries will take place between 12 and 6 pm. There will also be opportunities for non-competitive vehicles to drive the track! Bring your own RC vehicle when you come to the Oregon State Fair. One day only!

Wednesday and Thursday August 29 – 30: Explore STREAM and Glenn’s Gizmos
STREAM is growing at the Oregon State Fair! Explore STREAM is a mini museum of all things science-y. See how to use lights, motion, and programming to blow bubbles, make clocks tick, harness water and more. While not always polished, these projects adhere to the basic principles of STEM with Reading and Art added in. So many projects are kid-friendly and can often be made with common household items. Get your minds thinking!

Friday August 31: Willamette Agate and Mineral Society and Glenn’s Gizmos
Did you know Oregon has a state rock? It is called the Thunder Egg and will be on display at the Willamette Agate and Mineral Society exhibit. Experienced rockhounds will be showing and explaining about Rockhounding in Oregon. This interactive display will teach you about what natural elements are found in the earth. There will be examples of jaspers, agates, petrified wood, etc. All the rocks are found in Oregon. See what tools are used in rockhounding and have all your questions answered!

Saturday September 1: Robotics Competition
Another new exciting competition at this year’s Oregon State Fair is the Robotics Competition – people from all over Oregon will have submitted their robotic creations for judging. On Saturday, Sept 1 live judging will take place between 12 and 6 pm as contestants will battle for the best.

Sunday and Monday September 2 – 3: POKEMON!
Need we say more? Come practice your reading and math skills at the Pokémon stations in STREAM. Here is your chance to enjoy the creative side of Pokémon with card games and video game challenges. Fairgoers can come in to learn to play with decks provided and earn some free promo cards. In the Video Game side you can see for yourself the strategic battles that happen within the 3DS game Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Bring your card games and your tablets and challenge volunteer staff to special battles for special prizes.