Field Trips
What Registered School Groups Should Expect at the PRI Expo
We look forward to seeing you and your students at the 2025 PRI Expo on Friday, May 2, starting at 9 a.m. and running through 3 p.m. You will find us just south of campus at the University’s Research Park, near the Forbes Natural History Building. Throughout the day, your group will explore over 50 hands-on science exhibits covering everything from water and climate to archaeology and biodiversity—all led by real PRI researchers.
For a map of the Expo exhibit locations and facilities, please visit our Map page. For a description of the exhibits, please visit our Exhibits page.
Field Trip RSVP closed on April 11, 2025, and registrations are no longer being accepted.
When You Arrive
All buses should head to Lot E14 and, if possible, pull into the southwest corner near the intersection of St. Mary’s Road and Oak Street. Our team will be there to meet you and walk your group to the Expo, which is just a block away.
Anyone driving a standard (non-bus) vehicle may park for free at the Atkins Building parking lot (1800 S Oak St, Champaign, IL).
For more information on traveling locally, please visit the Locations page.
Make a Day of it!
The Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) State Science Fair will be held on the same day, just a short distance from the State Farm Center. If you have time, it’s worth checking out—they will have exhibits from departments all across the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Lunch Details
If your group brings sack lunches, we recommend packing them in totes. We will store them for you until it’s time to eat. Indoor lunch spots are available for schools that requested lunch space — and we will send out a lunch schedule and locations in advance. Groups will be assigned 15-minute timeslots for lunch. Event staff will provide additional instructions when you arrive.
Staying Hydrated
Please ask students and chaperones to bring refillable water bottles. We will have water stations available on site.
Photo Permissions
We will be taking pictures during the event. Please let us know if any of your students should not be included in photos.
Travel Reimbursement
If your school was awarded a bus travel grant, there is no need to do anything yet. Robin Warne will contact you after the event to help you submit your $100 reimbursement invoice. If you have questions, you can reach Robin at rwarne@illinois.edu.
Questions?
If you have any questions before you visit, please visit our FAQ section or contact Mary Richardson at 217-300-3479.
Please check your email inboxes for event updates and more information, which will be sent in the lead-up to the event.