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. These study trips take place on April 8, 13, 15 or May 11, 12, 18, and 19. This program is free to all schools in the state of Indiana.

Click here to watch the video and learn more about the 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500 Education Program.  For more information, contact Joelle Baugher at 317-614-6112.

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 this year's program:

By the numbers (2010):
19,232        Students
261             Schools Registered
220             Returning Schools
41               New Schools
768             Classrooms  
80               Indiana Counties 
87%            of all Indiana counties
7,485          Students visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

• 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: 

• 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 a stipend to offset its 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 chaperons 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.

Study Trip Class Photos
We will be taking 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 Joelle Baugher at (317) 614-6112. 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.