Bringing Science to Every Corner of Illinois
The Traveling Science Center (TSC) is a 320-square-foot mobile classroom designed to make science accessible to students and families across Illinois. Featuring interactive exhibits on biodiversity, natural and cultural resources, and environmental stewardship, the TSC delivers a museum-quality experience directly to schools and communities – especially those with limited access to STEM resources.
Why Your Gift Matters
We are raising $3,000 to expand the reach of the Traveling Science Center in the coming year (the INHS Mobile Science Center fund). Every $750 raised funds a full day of programming at one Illinois school, covering travel, setup, and educational materials. Your contribution provides hundreds of students with the chance to experience hands-on learning that sparks curiosity and deepens understanding of our environment and heritage.
Connecting Students to Illinois Science
When the Traveling Science Center visits a school, students explore real scientific concepts through touch, observation, and discovery. They examine fossils, identify animal tracks, and learn how researchers study our air, water, and land. These experiences foster a lifelong connection between young people, science, and the natural world around them.
Powered by the Prairie Research Institute
Operated by the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the TSC represents the collective expertise of PRI’s five State Scientific Surveys. Together, they advance research on Illinois’ natural and cultural resources and share that knowledge to support environmental stewardship statewide.
Join Us in Inspiring Discovery
Your gift helps the Prairie Research Institute continue its mission to engage, educate, and empower Illinois communities through science. Every mile the Traveling Science Center travels – and every student it reaches – starts with your support.
Donate today to help bring the Traveling Science Center to more Illinois schools. Together, we can keep science on the move.
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