Celebrating 10 years of research at the State Fair

For the 10th consecutive year, Minnesota State Fairgoers will have the opportunity to advance nursing research by visiting the University of Minnesota Driven to Discover Research Facility (D2D). 

Last year, nearly 2 million people attended the State Fair. These record attendance numbers allow D2D researchers to reach a diverse pool of participants and meet recruitment goals in a matter of hours or days. 

Visitors of all ages are invited to participate in active research in a fun, innovative and convenient way. Most studies take under 20 minutes.

Five School of Nursing research projects will be conducted at the fair this year. On Aug. 26, 28 and Sept. 2, Assistant Professor Robin Austin, PhD, DNP, DC, RN-BC, FAMIA, FNAP, Associate Professor Sripriya Rajamani, PhD, MBBS, MPH, and Professor Jenna Marquard, PhD, will be learning how individuals engage in their health and identifying ways they can reduce barriers or unmet needs for individuals to actively engage in their health. 

On Aug. 26 and Aug. 28, Clinical Associate Professor Stephanie Delkoski, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, will seek to describe youth and young adult use of social media platforms, specifically TikTok, in sexual and reproductive health decision-making and how they evaluate the accuracy and validity of information gathered from TikTok.

On Aug. 26 and Aug. 30, Professor Jayne Fulkerson, PhD, will be asking participants what foods they keep in their home and what they’ve eaten over the last 24 hours. This work will allow Fulkerson to verify the accuracy of the Home Food Inventory she created.

On Aug. 23-24, Professor Emeritus Casey Hooke, PhD, APRN, CPON, PCNS-BC, and the University of Texas Medical Branch Associate Dean of Research Carole Tucker, PhD, PT, will be learning about pre-teens and teens growth and physical activity and how these might impact their coordination.  

On Aug 22-23, 27-28 and 31, Professor Wendy Looman, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, and Clinical Professor Elena Geiger-Simpson, DNP will be interviewing 8-17 year old's to learn what makes them strong and resilient.

A complete schedule of research being conducted can be found on the D2D website. The Driven to Discover Research Facility is located at 1367 Cosgrove St. on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

How do you engage in your health?

Assistant Professor Robin Austin, PhD, DNP, DC, RN-BC, FAMIA, FNAP, Associate Professor Sripriya Rajamani, PhD, MBBS, MPH, and Professor Jenna Marquard, PhD

This study seeks to know how individuals engage in their health (e.g. access to care, technology) and identify ways we can reduce barriers or unmet needs for individuals to actively engage in their health. 

Byte-Sized Choices: Youth, TikTok, and Sexual Health 

Clinical Associate Professor Stephanie Delkoski, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC

This study seeks to describe youth and young adult use of social media platforms, specifically TikTok, in sexual and reproductive health decision-making and how they evaluate the accuracy and validity of information gathered from TikTok. Results will be examined for differences in the reported experiences of youth participants by sexual orientation and gender.

What foods do you keep in your home? 

Professor Jayne Fulkerson, PhD

This study will be asking participants what foods they keep in their home and what they’ve eaten over the last 24 hours. This work will allow Professor Jayne Fulkerson, PHD to verify the accuracy of the Home Food Inventory she created for research purposes. 

How Do You Moove?

Professor Emeriti Casey Hooke, PhD, APRN, CPON, PCNS-BC, and Temple University Associate Professor Carole Tucker, PT, PhD

This study intends to learn about pre-teens and teens growth and physical activity and how these might impact their coordination.  

Sit, Share & Connect 

Professor Wendy Looman, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, and Clinical Professor Elena Geiger-Simpson, DNP

What makes kids and teens strong and resilient? Ages 8-17 are needed for this study. Participants will sit, share and connect with a friend, parent or researcher for a brief podcast-like interview and a short survey.