[Institute home] [Expo home] [Donors] [Support the Expo] [Teachers/Youth Groups Information] [Exhibit Descriptions] [Earth, Wind, and Fire Race]
March 9 and 10, 2012
Friday 9:00 - 3:00 and Saturday 10:00 - 3:00
Natural Resources Building
607-615 E. Peabody Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
March 9 and 10, 2012
Printable 2012 Planning Guide with Exhibit Map
Printable 2012 Naturally Illinois Expo poster
Each year, in early spring, Institute scientists throw open the doors and invite everyone – schoolchildren, families, the general public – to come see, interact, touch, and experience the wonder of our state's diverse natural and cultural resources and cutting edge sustainable technologies.
Please come join us and experience fifty exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities of interest to the public, teachers, and students of all levels. Interact with scientists who work on cutting-edge research and solutions to water, energy, ecosystem, mineral resource, natural hazards, climate, cultural resource, and technology issues. Read more and see photos and videos from previous Expos here: Photos from the 2011 Expo, Videos from the 2011 Expo.
Several new displays in 2012 include: Live! Honey Bees, Waste to Oil, Metal as a Fuel, Exploring the Mahomet Valley in 3D, Time Table, Rocks and Minerals Under a Microscope, Winged Creatures That Go Bump in the Night, River Otters in Illinois, Extreme Weather...Illinois Style, and Nab the Aquatic Invader!
SUPPORT THE EXPO!
Did you know the Expo is led entirely by volunteers and funded entirely through donations? We rely on our donors, sponsors, and volunteers. Become one today! Learn more...
Two ways you can help, right now:
TEACHERS/YOUTH GROUPS—book your field trip today!
For teachers across the region, Naturally
Illinois has become a staple of the year's science
curriculum. That's because Institute scientists do more than merely
inform - they engage and
excite students of all ages. Also a great destination for Boys and Girls' Clubs,
scout troops, and other youth organizations. See Teachers/Youth Groups
link for more information.
Announcement for 2012 Expo
Earth, Wind, & Fire 5K Run and 2.5K Walk
The 5th annual Earth, Wind, & Fire 5K Run and 2.5K Walk will kick off at 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning.
Find more information, as it becomes available, on this Web site or e-mail prairie@illinois.edu.
Directions and Parking
(Directions and map will be available in the 2012 Planning Guide which is due shortly. Please check back.)
FREE PARKING AND SHUTTLE
From I-74:
• Take Exit 183, Lincoln Avenue, south
• Continue south on Lincoln Avenue approximately 2.5 miles
• Turn right (west) onto Florida Avenue.
• Turn left (south) onto Oak Street.
• Turn left into Lot E14 (west of Assembly Hall) and park all day
FREE.
• Catch a free shuttle from the south half of Lot E-14. Naturally Illinois Expo Shuttle will drop off at
the Natural Resources Building
at 6th and Pennsylvania for the Expo. Pick it up at the same place to return to the parking lot. This is the shortest trip if only
attending the Expo.
† ExplorACES shuttle bus will drop off at the ACES Stock Pavilion
stop on Pennsylvania which is half a block east of the
Natural Resources Building and the Expo. Pick it up at the same place
to return to the parking lot.
These free shuttle buses will make continuous loops from the E14 parking lot every 10-15 minutes between approximately 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. each day. Tell the driver or student host that you are going to the Expo.
METER AND LOT PARKING
Metered on-street parking is available along Pennsylvania Avenue, Peabody
Drive (between First Street and Sixth Street), and Sixth Street. Visitor
parking is also available in Lot E19. On Saturday only, visitors may also
park in lot E2, E11, E13, or E15.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS
From Lincoln Avenue, turn west onto Pennsylvania Avenue. The bus drop-off
zone is marked along the curb of Pennsylvania Avenue between the garage
and greenhouse. Please drop off your group in this location to alleviate
traffic congestion and then procede to Lot E14 to park the bus. Continue
west on Pennsylvania. Turn left (south) onto Fourth Street. Turn right
(west) onto Kirby Avenue. Turn left (south) onto Oak Street and then
park in Lot E14.
Concurrent University of Illinois Events
Updated 02/23/12 AW