The Great Minnesota Get-Together is underway, and MNIT is so proud to be a part of it again this year. In addition to a booth in the Education Building on the fairgrounds, MNIT also had the opportunity to lead cybersecurity-focused hands-on activities for kids and families during STEM Day at the fair and in the Minnesota 4-H Building throughout the fair’s first weekend.

MNIT Communications Director Cambray Crozier presented a proclamation from Governor Mark Dayton announcing STEM Day at the Fair on August 23. MNIT staffed a table with cybersecurity Jenga, cipher activities, and lollipops at both STEM Day in Dan Patch Park and at the 4-H Building August 24-26. MNIT cybersecurity workers also handed out some goofy glasses for people to take photos with a giant cybersecurity selfie wall, encouraging fairgoers to think about how to protect their identities online.

Feedback from STEM Day and the 4-H Building has been positive! One kid waiting for his brother to perform in the 4-H musical told one of our workers that cybersecurity Jenga was “more fun than the marbles game that’s usually here,” and several educators came by, took photos of the activities, and expressed an interest in using these ideas in their classrooms.

Although MNIT’s presence at STEM Day and the 4-H Building is finished for this year, fairgoers can swing by the Education Building during the rest of the fair to play a game on our iPads, spin a prize wheel, win earbuds or webcam covers, and learn a little more about all of the work MNIT does to keep the state secure and keep the business of government running.