Exhibits
Check out the Expo Map to find exhibit locations, building entrances, restrooms, and other amenities.
Archaeology
5 Illinois Archaeology: The Deep Roots of the Prairie State
Come check out real artifacts and learn what life was like for the first people who arrived here 12,500 years ago. See what’s different today and what’s surprisingly the same!
6 Brooklyn, Illinois: Discovering America’s First Free Black Town
Explore the inspiring history of Brooklyn, Illinois! Founded in the 1830s by both free and enslaved African Americans, Brooklyn became a vital stop on the Underground Railroad. Learn about recent excavations and their importance to the community, Illinois, and our nation’s history.
7 3D Scanning in Archaeology: Bringing the Past to Life
See how archaeologists use 3D scanning and printing to study ancient artifacts in amazing detail. Watch how these tools help preserve history and make discoveries easier to share with the world!
20 Dig Into the Past: Discover Illinois Archaeology
Archaeologists decipher the past using clues from material remains. Discover Illinois archaeology through a mock site, encounter artifacts, play cup and ball and other games, and throw an atlatl.
21 What Was For Dinner? Native Foods in Illinois
Explore the fascinating history of food in Illinois by learning what Indigenous People may have eaten long ago. Archaeologists study things like old plant seeds and animal bones to help us understand meals from the past. Come see how these discoveries reveal amazing stories!
22 Illinois’ Lithics: Stone Tool Identification
Discover how stone tools, or lithics, help archaeologists learn about the lives of early humans in Illinois — plus, make your own pot. Used for thousands of years, these tools tell stories about survival, creativity, and change over time. Use a lithic timeline handout to identify and date artifacts, and imagine how they were used in Illinois’ past!
29 Coring Into Our Past: Unearthing Hidden Histories
Join archaeologists as they demonstrate how soil coring helps uncover ancient secrets buried beneath the surface. Watch as they use specialized tools to collect samples and examine their layers to reconstruct past environments and locate hidden archaeological sites.
Community
12 CU One-to-One Mentoring: Making a Difference One Student at a Time
Learn how the CU One-to-One Mentoring Program connects caring adults with students who benefit from extra support and encouragement. Many PRI staff members take part in this program, helping to make a difference in the Champaign-Urbana community. Stop by to find out how mentoring changes lives and how you can get involved!
Geology
10 Kickstart Your Geology Career with a Paul Edwin Potter Internship!
Serious about studying geology? The Paul Edwin Potter Internship Program lets college students dive into exciting real-world projects, working side by side with professional geologists for 10 weeks in the summer. Hear directly from past interns about their experiences, learn about the program’s stipends and housing, and get inspired to take your next step toward a future in geology.
26 Wetlands and Geology: Protecting Water and Preventing Floods
Wetlands are like nature’s silent heroes, cleaning water and reducing flooding. Come see demonstrations of how they work and learn how scientists measure water levels and test water quality. You’ll see why wetlands are so important to keeping our planet healthy!
39 The World is at Your Feet: Geophysics to Map the Subsurface
Jump into the world of geophysics! Watch a seismometer in action as it measures your jumps and shows how they create seismic waves. Learn how scientists use tools like this to study the Earth beneath your feet!
42 Illinois’ Ancient Past: Fossils, Rocks, and Landforms
Illinois has many awesome geological sites that tell us the story of our planet. Take a peek at our collection of fossils, bedrock, and landforms that show how the state we call home has changed over millions of years. Learn why these sites matter and how they help us understand Illinois’ unique heritage!
43 Tracking Water Underground: How Groundwater Monitoring Helps Carbon Storage
How do scientists keep track of water underground? Learn about the tools they use to study groundwater and how these techniques help with carbon storage. See real equipment up close and learn how tracking water movement helps protect natural resources and keeps the environment healthy!
48 Rock Secrets: How the Earth Stores Carbon
What if the rocks beneath your feet could help fight climate change? By uncovering these special rock layers below the Earth’s surface, scientists are learning ways to trap carbon dioxide and keep our air cleaner. See real samples of these rocks, and learn how scientists use them to offer solutions to dangerous gases in our environment!
49 Illinois Rocks: Nature’s Hidden Storage System
Some rocks do more than just sit underground—they can trap and store carbon dioxide deep beneath the surface! See real rock samples up close and explore how scientists study these formations to keep our air cleaner. Learn how Illinois’ geology plays a role in carbon storage!
53 Can You Dig It? Yes, You Can! Critical Minerals, Critical for Life
Your phone, video games, car, and even your lights all depend on special minerals from the Earth—and you might be surprised at where they come from! Get hands-on with real mineral samples and talk to scientists who study them. Learn how Illinois experts are finding these important resources and how they connect to the things you use every day.
54 Exploring Minerals with X-Ray Technology
Scientists use X-rays to study minerals and see what they are made of. Check out real mineral samples up close and learn how this technology helps identify different types of rocks. Explore the process of preparing and analyzing geological samples to uncover secrets hidden beneath the surface!
Natural History
1 Time Travelers: Exploring Ancient Life and Modern Connections
Step back in time to explore fossilized insects and plants from the Cenozoic Era, a time after the dinosaurs when mammals and plants we recognize today began to thrive. Compare them to their modern relatives and discover Illinois’ ancient Carboniferous plant life, when massive swamps covered the land and unique plants flourished. Don’t forget to grab a photo with Ellie the velociraptor!
2 Marvelous Mollusks
Visit one of our largest natural history collections to discover mollusk species found near and far. Learn how freshwater mussels improve river health and how collections aid conservation of species.
3 Creatures of the Water and Wild: Reptiles, Amphibians, Fishes, and Crustaceans
Have you ever wondered what’s swimming, slithering, and crawling in rivers and wetlands? See real fish, turtles, frogs, and crayfish up close! Learn fun facts about these amazing creatures, how they survive in their habitats, and why they are important to nature.
4 Fantastic Fish of Illinois!
Get up close with live fish from Illinois and learn what makes each one unique! See how different species eat, swim, and survive in their habitats, and ask questions to real scientists from the Kaskaskia Biological Station. Discover the incredible variety of fish that call Illinois home!
8 Humans and Wildlife in a Changing World
Discover how people and wildlife share spaces in today’s changing world. Explore research on outdoor activities like hiking and hunting, interactions with animals in cities, and what people think about wildlife and the environment.
9 Making Connections with Our Community and Fellow Researchers by Traversing the Tree of Life
How is all life connected? Join an interactive quest to explore the Tree of Life and see how scientists piece together the story of Earth’s living creatures. Learn how they collect, organize, and share discoveries.
13 Population and Community Ecology Lab: Setting the PaCE for Conservation
Discover how the Population and Community Ecology (PaCE) Lab works to save Illinois’ most endangered organisms. Learn about programs that protect amphibians, reptiles, freshwater mollusks, and natural ecosystems, and how our environmental education program communicates these findings to the public. Explore the innovative ways scientists make a difference in wildlife conservation.
14 Illinois Bats: Nighttime Heroes of the Sky
Learn about the amazing bat species that call Illinois home and how the Illinois Bat Conservation Program helps protect them. Test your knowledge with bat trivia, create fun bat-themed crafts, and learn why these flying mammals are more than just creatures of the night!
15 Waterfowl of Illinois
Waterfowl and other wetland birds are uniquely suited to life in and around water. Come see how they’ve adapted over time to maximize survival in these challenging environments.
16 Bird Banding: Helping Birds Through Science
Bird banding is a way to learn about birds by gently placing a small tag on their leg. Try removing and banding a stuffed bird from a net in this hands-on activity and see how this simple process helps scientists understand and protect our feathered friends!
17 Corn Rootworm Beetles: Battling Illinois’ Historic Pest
Corn rootworm beetles have been causing trouble for Illinois corn farmers since the 1870s! Scientists at INHS have studied these pests for over 100 years to find ways to stop them. Learn about the history of this destructive beetle and what scientists are doing today to protect one of Illinois’ most important crops.
18 Leafhoppers: Little Bugs with Big Impacts
These bugs may be small, but they can do some amazing things! Watch live leafhoppers up close, discover their bright colors and wild patterns, and see how they shake up the plant world. Take a closer look and spot the clues scientists use to understand how they spread plant diseases.
19 Arthropods of Illinois and Beyond: Bugs Up Close!
Find out more about insects and other arthropods! See real specimens from the INHS Insect Collection, examine tiny details through a microscope, and see amazing insect images on a computer. Explore the captivating creatures that crawl, fly, and buzz around us!
23 Wetland Wonders
Wetlands are unique habitats full of wonder. Join wetland scientists for demonstrations, activities, and information about wetland animals, plants, soils, and water.
24 Floating Wetlands: Nature’s Water Filters
Learn about floating wetlands and the important role they play in keeping our environment healthy. Discover how plant roots help clean water by trapping sediment and improving water quality.
27 Traveling Science Center
Visit the Traveling Science Center, featuring interactive exhibits on biodiversity and natural resources. Explore hands-on materials and learn how you can help protect the habitats and creatures that call Illinois home.
28 The Artistic Side of Science: Where Creativity Comes to Life
Science and art go hand in hand! Meet scientific artist Patty Dickerson and see how she helps scientists explain their work with models and other creative tools. In this exhibit, you will explore how creativity can make science easier to understand and even more exciting.
Sustainability
11 One Health: How People, Animals, and Nature Stay Connected
Did you know human, animal, and environmental health are all linked? Explore how diseases spread between species, how pollution and climate change affect health, and what we can do to keep our world safe. See real examples from Illinois and learn how we can all be part of the solution!
25 Exploring Coastal Wetlands: Hands-On Science in Action
Dive into the science behind Illinois’ rare coastal wetlands along Lake Michigan! Try activities like setting seed traps and using bog buckets and water sensors to see how scientists study water movement (hydrology) and plant life in these unique ecosystems.
31 The Age of Plastic!
Explore how we can reduce plastic waste by finding alternatives and recycling! See creative ways to reuse plastic and learn how small changes can make a big difference for the planet.
32 Disposable e-cigarettes: A Hazard to the Environment and Human Health
Did you know disposable e-cigarettes, or vapes, hurt people and the planet? Explore how they impact health, create pollution, and waste valuable resources. Find out why smarter choices help protect us all!
33 Turning Plastic Waste into Jet Fuel
Learn how scientists are transforming plastic waste into sustainable fuel for airplanes! See real samples and hear about innovative techniques used to tackle pollution while creating cleaner energy for the future of aviation.
34 Powering the Night: How Solar Energy Works with Batteries
How do some lights use solar panels to keep glowing after the sun goes down? This hands-on exhibit explores how these lights collect energy, how rechargeable batteries store it, and how smart switches control the light. See solar power in action!
44 What is Zero Waste?
Learn about landfills, recycling, compost, and why reducing our waste matters. Step into a waste audit and help the TAP team dig data and resources out of the trash!
45 What is Pollution Prevention?
Who causes pollution in Illinois? What does it look like? Want to play with a camera that detects heat? The Pollution Prevention team will show you the tools they use to save money, energy, and water in factories and breweries across Illinois.
46 To Infin-algae, and Beyond! Algae for sustainable food and fuel
Algae isn’t just a superfood, it’s also a super fuel! Find out how scientists are using algae to create biofuels, clean the air by absorbing CO2, and even turn waste into something useful. Check out algae under a microscope, see how outdoor algae farming works, and learn how these tiny organisms are shaping a sustainable future.
47 What is CCUS?
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas released when we drive cars and produce electricity. In this exhibit, try fun, hands-on experiments to see how CO2 affects the environment. Learn how scientists tackle this challenge by capturing CO2 and finding ways to reuse it or store it safely underground.
50 Biochar — An Amazing Material to Protect the Earth
Did you know yard waste can be turned into something amazing? Biochar helps soil grow healthier plants, cleans up pollution, and even fights climate change. Come see how this super material works and how it’s making a big difference for our planet!
51 Turn Waste Into Energy!
Discover how waste materials, like plant and food scraps, can be turned into fuel that powers our world. See how this process helps us recycle and create energy at the same time!
Water
30 Digging into Water’s History: the Vibrocore Rig
See the Water Survey’s vibrocore rig, a tool scientists use to collect sediment samples from lakes and rivers to learn about their history. View real sediment cores up close and learn how this technology helps unlock the secrets of our waterways!
35 Tracking the Water Cycle: Technology in Action
See tools scientists use to measure rainfall, track irrigation, and study groundwater. Learn how this technology helps us understand the water cycle and why it’s so important for our planet.
36 Weather Watchers: How Scientists Track the Skies
How hot is it outside? How much did it rain last night? Find out how and why scientists measure weather events.
37 Where Does All the Water Go? A Flooding Adventure!
Why does flooding happen, and what can we do to stop it? In this awesome, hands-on activity for both kids and adults, we will explore how water ends up in the wrong place and how we can better manage it. Be ready to get your hands—and maybe your feet—a little wet as you discover how watersheds work!
38 Sky to Soil and Back Again
Did you know there’s a place where air, water, soil, and all living things connect? It’s called the Critical Zone, and you can try out the same tools scientists use to study it. See how everything around us is linked, from the clouds in the sky to the dirt under your shoes!
40 Keeping Illinois Streams Clean: Tools and Technology
How do scientists track what’s happening in our rivers and streams? They use tools like dataloggers, pressure transducers, and water samplers to collect data to measure and reduce pollution. Visit a mock monitoring station and learn how the Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is helping protect water in our state!
41 Exploring Water Underground
Have you ever wondered how water comes from the ground so that we can use it? In this exhibit, you can use a hand pump and see a sand tank model, which shows how water flows through sand and rock beneath our feet to reach the surface. Try real tools that are used to drill wells and learn about why groundwater is so important.