How are Wisconsin's state symbols, like the state bird, chosen? Schoolchildren often play a part.

Have you ever wondered why Wisconsin's state bird is the robin, why our state fruit is the cranberry, why our state animal is the badger?

It might surprise you to know that often our state symbols became part of the official record due to the efforts of schoolchildren.

Here's what to know.

How does a state symbol become official?

To designate an official state symbol, a bill must be introduced and go through the legislative process. In 1948, as part of the celebration of the state's centennial, a new section of the state statutes was added that noted official state symbols must be listed in the Wisconsin Blue Book. Also, during the centennial, three state symbols became official — the tree, flower and bird.

Which Wisconsin state symbols were chosen by schoolchildren?

According to the 2015-'16 Blue Book and the state website Wisconsin For Kids, the following state symbols were chosen by schoolchildren.

Flower: Wood violet

The wood violet was chosen in 1908 when Wisconsin schoolchildren nominated four candidates: the wood violet, the wild rose, the trailing arbutus and the white water lily. On Arbor Day 1909, the final vote was taken, and in 1949, the wood violet became the official state flower.

Bird: Robin

In the 1926-'27 school year, the state Federation of Women's Clubs sponsored bird studies in Wisconsin public schools, and students voted to select the robin as the state bird. It received twice as many votes as any other bird, and became official in 1949.

Tree: Sugar maple

In 1893, schoolchildren voted for the sugar maple to be the state tree, followed by the oak, pine and elm. In 1948, the state's Youth Centennial Committee held another vote by schoolchildren, and the sugar maple once again won the vote, followed by the white pine and birch. This was despite lobbying efforts by white pine advocates.

Animal: Badger

Although the badger has long been associated with Wisconsin and shows up in things like the coat of arms, state seal and as the University of Wisconsin's mascot, students in four Jefferson County elementary schools were shocked to find the badger wasn't the official state animal; in 1957, they lobbied to get a bill introduced to declare the badger to be the state animal.

There was opposition from northern counties who advocated for the white-tailed deer. A legislative compromise declared the badger the state animal and the white-tailed deer to be the state wildlife animal.

Insect: Honey bee

In 1977, a bill was introduced at the request of a third-grade class from Holy Family School of Marinette, and the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association to declare the honey bee to be the official state insect.

According to the Blue Book, "Attempts to allow all elementary school pupils in the state to decide the selection by popular ballot were unsuccessful." Those possibilities included the monarch butterfly, dragonfly, ladybug and the mosquito.

Dog: Water spaniel

In 1985, after years of effort by eighth-grade students in Washington Junior High School in New London, the American water spaniel became Wisconsin's official dog.

The American water spaniel is thought to be the only dog breed native to Wisconsin, credited to New London physician Fred J. Pfeifer.

Dance: Polka

In 1993, at the request of a second grade class from Charles Lindbergh Elementary in Madison, the polka was declared Wisconsin's official dance.

Fruit: Cranberry

In 2003, as a result of a class project by fifth-grade students from Kenosha County's Trevor Grade School, the cranberry was chosen over the cherry as Wisconsin's state fruit.

Dairy product: Cheese

In 2017, fourth-graders at Mineral Point Elementary did a research project that resulted in cheese being declared the official state dairy product.

How do schoolchildren get a state symbol officially declared?

In a recent email exchange with the Journal Sentinel, fourth-grade teacher Livia Doyle explained how Mineral Point Elementary School students worked to get cheese declared as the state's official dairy product.

Doyle said the fourth-grade social studies curriculum's focus is the history of Wisconsin. She and her fellow fourth-grade teachers, Lynn Ross and Paige Grimm, kicked off the year by teaching their students what the state symbols are and how they came to be.

"Our students were excited to learn that many of the state symbols were voted on by school-age children," Doyle said. "They quickly came up with the idea to create their own special state symbol!"

After discovering that the state, even though it's known as America's Dairyland, didn't have an official dairy product, the students researched Wisconsin's dairy production. Doyle said the children learned that Wisconsin is the only state to certify cheesemakers with the title of Master Cheesemaker and that 90% of all milk produced in Wisconsin is turned into cheese.

The students integrated their findings into a 30-minute proposal that Wisconsin's official dairy product should be cheese. After presenting the information to Rep. Todd Novak and Sen. Howard Marklein, the legislators drafted a bill, which was passed and signed into law by then-Gov. Scott Walker.

"Our students each took the time to hand write letters to our 99 state representatives and 33 state senators," Doyle said. "What better way to give children a voice in our state's government? When children speak up on such important and prestigious issues, people listen."

What are Wisconsin's state symbols?

According to the Wisconsin State Blue Book, Wisconsin has the following official symbols.

State coat of arms

The representation of a shield includes many points of Wisconsin culture, including representations of agriculture and mining; the state's motto, "Forward'; and a picture of the state animal, the badger.

Great seal

The seal, which includes a picture of the coat of arms, is used to authenticate certain official acts by the governor.

State flag

The flag also shows the coat of arms; the state's name appears above it and the year of Wisconsin's statehood, 1848, appears below.

State song

"On, Wisconsin"

State ballad

"Oh, Wisconsin, Land of my dreams"

State waltz

"The Wisconsin Waltz"

State tartan

A tartan is a patterned cloth with specific colors. Tartans are typically associated with Scottish heritage, as Scottish kilts have tartan patterns that symbolize loyalty to the clan of the person wearing it.

State flower

Wood violet

State bird

Robin

State tree

Sugar maple

State fish

Muskellunge

State animal

Badger

State domestic animal

Dairy cow

State wildlife animal

White-tailed deer

State insect

Honey bee

State dog

American water spaniel

State symbol of peace

Mourning dove

State beverage

Milk

State soil

Antigo silt loam

State rock

Red granite

State mineral

Galena

State grain

Corn

State fossil

Trilobite

State fruit

Cranberry

State pastry

Kringle

State herb

Ginseng

State dance

Polka

State dairy product

Cheese