The Great Frederick (Md.) Fair celebrated its 150th anniversary Sept. 14-22. The fair is Frederick County's single largest event, featuring some 18,000 competitive exhibits ranging from livestock to home arts, 4-H/FFA, and educational exhibits.

Army Medicine was well represented by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, which provided displays and various hands-on, kid-friendly activities to help engage the children and explain the science behind the mission of the command. The use of a nail-balance puzzle to explain the impact of traumatic brain injury on balance and to showcase USAMRMC products that are used in the assessment and rehabilitation of balance for Soldiers was a highlight at the booth, with one participant balancing 42 nails on top of a single nail! Ultraviolet beads, that change color in the sun, were also utilized to explain luminescence in all of its forms, along with some of its uses in Army medical research. In addition, various tissue slides were displayed courtesy of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, so that fairgoers could experiment with microscopes to see the difference between healthy and diseased tissue.

In addition to promoting the importance of education and USAMRMC's various educational outreach activities, the Gains in the Education of Mathematics and Science, or GEMS, program was highlighted, and representatives provided information to children and parents about exciting upcoming internship opportunities. For more information about the USAMRMC's educational opportunities, contact the USAMRMC Strategic Partnerships office at USAMRMCEducationalOutreach@amedd.army.mil.