How to participate in OT research at the 2026 Minnesota State Fair

At this year’s Minnesota State Fair, make sure to stop by the University of Minnesota's Research Building to take part in Dr. Corey McGee’s occupational therapy research. Alongside his partners from across the U.S. and Canada, McGee will be studying adult thumb function, adult shoulder blade motion and childhood grip strength through three different studies at the fair. 

“Put Your Thumb to the Test” will involve the use of a new measure that will help researchers better understand the mechanics of the thumb. Participants must be 18 years or older and able to perform a pinch test. To take part, stop by on August 31 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. or September 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

“Put Your Shoulder into Science” will measure shoulder blade motion on both arms and help health care providers to better identify when motion strays from the norm. Participants must be 18 years or older and have no history of shoulder injury. To take part in the study, visit on August 29 or 30 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. 

“Tyrannosaurus Flex: Finding the ‘Fair-ly Normal’ Grip” will study kids’ hand grip and assist in creating new normative standards for children’s hand strength. Kids between the ages of two and 12 can stop by on September 6 from 2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. or September 7 from 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

“Every year or two, my clinical and research colleagues and I conduct survey or clinical measurement studies at the state fair. It’s a great way to quickly gather data from many people, offer the public the opportunity to contribute to research and showcase some of the science coming from the University," McGee said. "To my knowledge, there’s really nothing like it anywhere else in the U.S.”