For the past 20 years, students and faculty from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University have conducted the Kansas State Fair birthing center. The center offers a hands-on, innovative learning opportunity designed to give fairgoers of all ages a heightened educational experience. Calves, lamb, piglets and chicks are all born during the course of the 10-day fair. Video cameras, television monitors and a P.A. system help students in all areas of the birthing center to see and hear what’s happening in the pens.
Fourth-year senior KSU veterinary medicine students and veterinarians are able to guide fairgoers through the interactive exhibits, answer questions and provide information about animal health and careers in veterinary medicine. While only open to the public from 9 a-m to 8 p-m, Kansas State University residents and students keep a 24-hour watch of the newly born critters.
“The birthing center is a great way for our students to be exposed to the public and enhance fairgoers’ knowledge of the world of veterinary medicine,” says Shelie Laflin, Clinical Associate Professor for Agricultural Practices at Kansas State University. “We strive to bring wide-ranging awareness to our occupation while letting the birthing center serve as an educational opportunity.”
You can check it out at 20th and Fort Scott Blvd on the fairgrounds.