K-State Olathe Open House | April 16
Discover what it means to be rooted in purple at K-State Olathe's Open House. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, the Olathe campus is welcoming students, visitors and community members of all ages to enjoy a range of activities, exhibits and entertainment that celebrates K-State and the benefits K-State Olathe offers to communities in Johnson County and industry in the Greater Kansas City area.
No reservations are required at this free event.
Start planning your Open House visit now!
Traveling to campus
Where to start
Your roots begin here
Stop by the reception desk upon arriving to pick up a K-State Olathe canvas tote bag (one per family), a passport and map. Then let your roots grow as you discover our campus and its offerings. Return passports here for prizes when you leave. Main Lobby.
Explore your opportunities
Learn about graduate education opportunities available at K-State Olathe and the university at large. Make 2016 the year that you establish your roots at K-State!
9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bistro.
So, you’re going to college?
Learn about K-State undergraduate programs, student life and involvement opportunities from our Greater Kansas City area admissions representatives. Representatives from K-State Polytechnic also will be there. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Board Room.
The next chapter: Continuing your education
K-State offers a plethora of online programs through the K-State Global Campus. Guess how many online K-State students hail from a particular state — then find out if you might be on the map soon, too. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Board Room.
Stay connected with your roots
Be proud to be rooted in purple. Learn more about K-State Alumni Association programming. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lobby.
Main floor
Wearable Gadgets Design Workshop
Employ your imagination and creativity to design the newest wearable gadget for the health industry. Participants work in teams and present their best ideas in this engaging workshop. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Forum Hall.
SmartVet demonstration
The VetGunTM is revolutionizing how parasite control is administered to herds of cattle – and the technology is being developed right here at K-State Olathe. See a live demonstration of how this technology works. 9 to 11 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m., grassy area by main parking lot.
Fermented foods and Fido
Food programs has something for you and the family pet. Learn about the benefits of fermented foods as well as how make your own creations. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Research and Development Kitchen. Or, test your culinary skills at making a homemade pet treat. Noon to 2 p.m., Research and Development Kitchen.
Skittlelicious
The grocery store can be a zoo, especially when it comes to germs. Learn how to select items at the market and store them at home without getting sick. Specially planted "germs" will be detected under UV lights, and proper hand-washing techniques will be introduced. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bistro.
Are you smarter than a Wildcat?
Take a spin on the prize wheel and test your K-State IQ. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bistro.
Research and Extension booths
Learn about the services K-State Research and Extension provides in the Kansas City area at 14 different booths. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Great Plains Room.
Horticulture
Gardening for pollinators
The display will promote the importance of pollinators in the landscape. It will offer tips on how each backyard gardener can add plants or change their practices to invite these important insects into our environment.
Emerald ash borer
The emerald ash borer was detected in Kansas in 2012 and in Johnson County in 2013. The insect has now spread throughout the entire metro area. Homeowners with ash trees face difficult decisions to treat or remove the trees. This table display will assist residents in understanding more about its movement and detection.
Water quality education
Check out a working, tabletop water shed model that helps illustrate non-point pollution.
Composting and vermicomposting
Backyard composting is a great way to divert organic waste from the trash stream. In the process you will turn this material into black gold for the garden. Another fun approach to composting is by using worms. Worm composting is done indoors using your kitchen waste. A live worm composting farm will be on display.
Extension Master Gardner program and public garden promotion
The area's most popular garden tour returns in 2016. Six Extension Master Gardener gardens will be open to the public May 20-21. This tour provides an enjoyable outing and offers education on gardening and landscaping in Kansas City. This year's tour features two very distinctive gardens. One garden focuses on the use of native plants and another on the local food moment.
Agriculture and horticulture
Soil testing
See how to take a soil test as well as a display that shows soil samples and tools required.
Insect identification
Diagnosing insects and disease is an important part of Extension outreach. This booth will show samples to engage the audience and promote the service.
Family and consumer sciences: food, nutrition, health, home and family
Keep it cool
Power outages can happen at any time. But winter ice storms and spring and summer thunderstorms are usually the most common causes for long-term loss of power. Find out why it is important to chill foods properly. Guests will get a free refrigerator thermometer to use at home.
Healthy snacking
Snacks are a healthy and important addition to kids' diets. We'll show — and offer — samples of healthy snacks, and provide some tips to help keep snacks a healthy part of your families' diets. Food samples include hummus and vegetables.
Extension food and nutrition resources and opportunities
Information from Kansas State Research and Extension on upcoming food, nutrition and health related classes, Extension Master Food Volunteer program, and other resources.
Alzheimer's disease: Know the 10 signs. Early detection matters.
In the U.S., 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, including an estimated 200,000 under the age of 65. Nearly two-thirds are women. Most people living with Alzheimer's are not aware of their diagnosis, or have not been diagnosed at all. We'll provide information and resources about Alzheimer's.
Natural resources
Dealing with nuisance animals
Demonstrations on setting live traps for nuisance animals, including moles, rabbits, raccoons, chipmunks, etc.
4-H Ambassadors
Information about Johnson County 4-H
4-H Ambassadors will talk about 4-H program in Johnson County. Guests will be able to play Minute to Win It as well as other trivia games.
Johnson County K-State Research and Extension
Extension booth: Who we are and what we do
Services overview and informational handouts.
Willie and the Beanstalk contest
See what's taken root and how the judges rule at the K-12 Willie and the Beanstalk contest. For the past 40 days, participants have been trying to grow the biggest soybean plant to win the K-State Agronomy Beanstalk Award. 9 a.m. to noon, Dock.
Sports radio live broadcast
K-State Olathe will be the source for a live broadcast by local sports radio morning show Sports Radio 810 WHB. 9 a.m. to noon, Bistro.
Upstairs
Sensory and Consumer Research
In an unbranded taste test, would you prefer a store brand or the national brand? Can you identify four common aromas? Participate in a taste test and an aroma activity with the Sensory and Consumer Research Center. Learn more about becoming a paid participant in our studies. 9 a.m.to 2 p.m., 2nd floor hallway.
Science on a small scale
Stop by the food science booths for a sweet treat and a closer look at some small science. Learn how to make Dippin' Dots ice cream and see the microbial growth on common items, such as hair and rings, in a collection of petri dishes. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Room 220.
Brain training
Learn how to improve the right-brain, left-brain connection with an activity designed to strengthen creative processes and develop the connection between the linear, detail-oriented, left side of the brain and the holistic, big picture right side of the brain. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Room 221.
K-State Green Screen
Picture yourself at K-State — literally — with the magic of a green screen. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Room 222.
Graduate programs
Explore several of the graduate-level programs that offer courses at K-State Olathe: adult and continuing education, master of agribusiness, food science, horticulture - urban food systems, industrial and manufacturing systems engineering and veterinary biomedical science. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rooms 220 - 223.
Tomato-ToMAHto!
Get a free Cherokee purple tomato plant and learn about horticulture happenings at K-State. The Olathe Horticulture Research and Extension Center is home to many programs in the areas of food crops, flowers and turfgrass. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Room 223.
Good eats
Pancake breakfast
Flip your lid for a free pancake breakfast. While supplies last. Served 9 to 10 a.m., Outdoor Kitchens.
Purple Pride
Yes, Call Hall ice cream! This K-State favorite will be served after lunch. There's a limited supply, so grab a spoon. Luckily, we know where to send you to get more. 1 to 2 p.m., Bistro.
A Cajun classic
Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen is back by popular demand! Treat yourself to this Cajun feast while you get to know other K-Staters. Don't worry, we're treating you to a mild version. While supplies last. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dock.
