'I-Hub at the Fair' to expand into dedicated STEM pavilion

Erie County Fair seeks businesses & educational partners to help celebrate WNY’s STEM economy

The Erie County Fair has announced its “I-Hub at the Fair” exhibit will expand during the upcoming 180th Erie County Fair this August. “I-Hub at the Fair,” with the “I” standing for “innovation, imagination & ingenuity,” debuted in 2018 to highlight Western New York’s growing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)-based economy and educational opportunities. During the 2019 Erie County Fair, the I-Hub’s exhibit and demonstration space will be further developed into a stand-alone, 6,000-square-feet pavilion.

“Our goal is to excite fairgoers about STEM-based businesses and industries that are changing the economy of Western New York,” CEO and Erie Fair Manager Jessica Underberg said.

With the additional exhibit space, the Erie County Fair is now accepting applications from interested business, organizations and educational institutions for participation in this regional celebration of Western New York’s growing STEM economy. An application form and details can be found at: www.ecfair.org/p/other/i-hub-at-the-fair.

One of the new attractions already scheduled for the 2019 edition of the I-Hub is the Innovation Station. This fun-filled, state-of-the-art children’s exhibit will feature hands-on, immersive experiences that will take families on a journey through STEM learning. Fairgoers will be encouraged to explore, at their own pace, a variety of stations that will include “Weird Science” (microscopes, kinetic sand, vortex tubes), “Ignite the Light” (The power of static electricity showcased through Van De Graaff demonstrations) and a virtual reality experience that will showcase VR in medicine.

During its inaugural year in 2018, the I-Hub brought together some of Western New York’s leading companies and organizations that are leading the charge, including the Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Alliance, National Grid, EagleHawk, Staub Precision Machine, Praxair, SomaDetect, University at Buffalo GEM (genome, environment and microbiome), UB Society for Automotive Engineers, Girl Scouts of Western New York, UB NanoSat, The Buffalo Manufacturing Works, The New York Power Authority, FIRST Robotics and the Northland Workforce Training Center.

About the Erie County Fair

The Erie County Agricultural Society is a private, not-for-profit membership organization. Established in 1819, the society is the oldest civic organization in Western New York. The mission of the Erie County Agricultural Society (ECAS), sponsors of the Erie County Fair, is to preserve and enhance, by educational endeavors, the agricultural and historical legacy of New York. The fair strives to fulfill appropriate aspects of the agricultural, educational, entertainment and recreational needs of Western New York.

The 180th Erie County Fair will be held Aug. 7-18. Visit www.ECFair.org.