500 Festival & Indianapolis 500 Education Program

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About the Education Program

This award winning program for Indiana fourth grade students opens up the world of the 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500 and their important place in Indiana’s history and culture. Through an Indiana Academic Standards based curriculum, the program offers a variety of interesting and thought-provoking lessons and projects and a unique opportunity to visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for an educational Study Trip during the months of April and May. Study Trips for 2012 have not yet been determined. Fourth grade classrooms must register for the in-class portion to be eligible to attend the Study Trip. Registration closed December 1, 2011.

The 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500 Education Program was launched in 2004 with 79 schools, 221 classrooms, and 5,151 students. Here is a look at last year's program:

By the numbers (2011):
23,826        Students
321             Schools Registered
233             Returning Schools
88               New Schools
938             Classrooms
79               Indiana Counties
86%            of all Indiana counties
8,687          Students visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Schools enrolled in the Educational Program will receive the following:

Indiana Academic Standards based lesson plans designed to give students an appreciation of the events and history of the 500 Festival and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Lesson plans will be free to schools enrolled in the program.

Standards Covered:

Social Studies	4.1.15, 4.1.17, 4.4.8
Language Arts	4.2.2, 4.4.4, 4.5.1, 4.5.6, 4.7.5, 4.7.8, 4.7.9, 4.7.12
Science	4.1.6, 4.2.4, 4.2.5, 4.5.4
Math	4.1.1, 4.1.9, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.10, 4.5.4, 4.5.5, 4.5.9, 4.6.1, 5.6.1, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.7.8
Health	4.1.1, 4.7.1
Physical Education	4.3.1, 4.4.3
Visual Arts	4.6.2, 4.6.3

Students, teachers, and chaperones will have the opportunity to attend a Study Trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway grounds in April and May. The students will experience on-site programming that is designed to incorporate the lessons learned in the classroom. Schools attending the Study Trips will receive stipends to offset their transportation costs. (Schools are not required to participate in the Study Trips to be enrolled in the program and receive the lesson plans).

Students, teachers and chaperones on the Study Trips will be provided free admission to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Hall of Fame Museum where they will learn first-hand about one of Indiana’s greatest and most widely recognized traditions.

"It was a worthwhile program. As we study Indiana history in 4th grade, we try to instill in our students pride in their state. Learning about (visiting) IMS helps develop that pride." Jane Cumberworth, Rushville Elementary.

"Outstanding educational program. Volunteers were courteous & informative. Track atmosphere - exciting. Students absolutely loved it." - Paula Jones, MSD Shakamak.

Study Trip Class Photos
The 500 Festival will take class photos on the day of your Study Trip. The photos will only be available online. To view your photos, you will receive an e-mail from the 500 Festival Education Program that will invite you to view your class photos on Snapfish.com. Once on Snapfish.com, you will be able to print, download or order your class photos. You can forward this e-mail on to other teachers and/or parents to share the experience. If you have any questions about this process, contact Valerie Grudzien at (317) 614-6129. If you choose to share this e-mail, you are responsible for the use of the photos.

You will be ordering prints from a third party supplier. Please contact Snapfish.com for customer service.

To learn more about the 500 Festival Memorial Service Education lesson plans click here.

2011 Essay Contest
Kaitlyn Averion from Danville South Elementary is the winner of the inaugural 500 Festival Centennial Celebration Essay Contest! Click here to read her essay, "Why is the Indianapolis 500 important to Indiana."

Click here to download a list of schools who participated in the 2011 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500^® Education Program.