500 Festival & Indianapolis 500 Education Program

Presented by Riley Children’s Health

Free For All Indiana 4th-grade Classrooms!

Combine Indiana fourth-grade learning with meaningful fun! Taking place during the Spring semester, the 500 Festival & Indianapolis 500 Education Program, presented by Riley Children’s Health, is a free program for Indiana fourth-grade classrooms that immerses students in the world of the Indianapolis 500 and 500 Festival!

Since the program’s inception in 2004, these lessons have impacted more than 500,000 students in more than 20,000 classrooms throughout the state of Indiana.

The Education Program equips fourth-grade educators with engaging lesson plans and classroom materials that allow students to explore the significant role of the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis 500 in Indiana’s state history and culture.

Register for the 2027 Education Program

Registered classrooms receive student materials, lesson plans, educational video series, supporting materials, and opportunities for students to participate in classroom decorating contests!

The Education Program’s curriculum is based on Indiana Academic Standards for English/language arts, health, math, science, social studies, visual arts, and physical education.

The Education Program is FREE for all Indiana fourth-grade classrooms.

Explore the Program ↓

The 500 Festival Education Program’s curriculum, Gearing Up for the Indy 500, is an Indiana Academic Standards-based curriculum designed for fourth-grade students to foster an understanding and develop an appreciation of the 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500.

Gearing Up for the Indy 500 is updated annually. The lessons may be taught in sequence (as presented in the guide), or teachers may choose to change the order of the lessons based on the needs of their students and classroom schedules. Some lessons may be modified or extended based on the students’ needs. It also includes an authentic assessment for students to showcase their understanding of the Indianapolis 500 and the 500 Festival.

Within the program, classrooms have the opportunity to experience a Study Trip or a Mobile Trip to bring the classroom lessons to life! Study Trips and Mobile Trips are optional to participate in, but schools must be registered for the 2026 Education Program to participate in either type of trip.It is completely free for the classroom to partake in a Study or Mobile Trip, and the 500 Festival will provide stipends to offset transportation costs.

Trip registration will be available to those registered for the Education Program from September 28 to October 30.

THE STUDY TRIP:

Participating fourth-grade classrooms have the opportunity to attend a Study Trip that takes place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in April! During the visit, students will put classroom lessons into action at interactive, hands-on educational stations located around the track.

THE MOBILE TRIP:

Participating fourth-grade classrooms also have the opportunity to participate in a Mobile Trip during March that is held at their school. For a Mobile Trip, the 500 Festival brings an in-school field trip to Indiana schools that includes fun and interactive lessons for students. These trips include interactive stations led by 500 Festival staff and volunteers, racing equipment, and an actual IndyCar, all provided by the 500 Festival!

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THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Riley Children’s Health and IU Health are the Official Medical Providers for the 500 Festival Education Program.