INDIANAPOLIS (August 5, 2024) – Registration is now open for The 500 Festival & Indianapolis 500 Education Program, presented by Indiana University Health. The Education Program takes place during the spring months of the 2024-2025 school year and is free and open to all Indiana fourth-grade classrooms. The program’s curriculum is based on Indiana Academic Standards for language arts, health, math, science, social studies, visual arts, and physical education. 

The Education Program equips fourth-grade educators with engaging lesson plans and classroom materials that allow students to learn about the 500 Festival, the Indianapolis 500, and the legacies and traditions they hold in Indiana.  

Toward the end of the program, classrooms can engage in either a Study Trip at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or a Mobile Trip, where the 500 Festival brings the excitement of a field trip directly to their school. These trips enable students to apply the lessons learned in the classroom to real life. 

Over the last 20 years, this program has impacted over 474,000 students across 19,720 classrooms in Indiana.

“Participation in the Education Program gives me the excuse to step away from the day-to-day routine curriculums and teach students something that pertains to their heritage of being a Hoosier,” said Kelly Agnew, a fourth-grade teacher whose class participates in the education program every year. “The program provides so many cross-curricular learning opportunities that our textbooks just can’t replicate.” 

“The Education Program enriches Indiana students by offering a distinctive learning experience centered around the historical and cultural importance of the Indianapolis 500,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “The program also provides students with the opportunity to explore STEM education, enabling them to discover new passions and career pathways.”  

To register or learn more about the Education Program, visit 500Festival.com/Education. Registration will remain open until May 16, 2025 at 5 p.m. 

The 500 Festival & Indianapolis 500 Education Program is supported by: Indiana University Health, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the 500 Festival Foundation, Regions Bank, NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Penske, and Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC. 

About the 500 Festival | Founded in 1957, the 500 Festival is a not-for-profit organization that produces more than 50 life-enriching events and programs while celebrating the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500® and fostering a positive impact on the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana. One of the largest festivals in the nation, each year more than half a million people attend an event or program produced by the 500 Festival. Since its founding, the 500 Festival has contributed more than $500 million in economic value to Indianapolis. To learn more about the 500 Festival, please visit 500festival.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   

About Indianapolis Motor Speedway | The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the world’s largest spectator sporting facility, has been the worldwide leader in motorsports entertainment since opening in 1909. IMS will host the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge – the world’s most prestigious auto race – on Sunday, May 25, 2025. That race is the climax of an exciting Month of May schedule for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES that also includes the Sonsio Grand Prix on Saturday. NASCAR returns to the famous 2.5-mile oval during Brickyard Weekend, featuring the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG for the NASCAR Cup Series and Pennzoil 250 presented by Advance Auto Parts for the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship also returns to IMS for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. Other events in 2024 at IMS will feature the NOS Energy Drink USAC National Midget Series, Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli and Sportscar Vintage Racing Association. IMS, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and IMS Productions are owned by Penske Corporation, a global transportation, automotive and motorsports leader. To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit ims.com.