By Paul Kelly
indy500.com
Thursday, October 20, 2005
The 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500 Education Program will boast record enrollment in 2006, as the award-winning curriculum for Indiana fourth-graders has grown nearly 400 percent since its first year in 2004.
The 2006 Education Program has enrolled 22,392 students representing 323 schools, 935 fourth-grade classrooms in 170 local communities in 77 of 92 Indiana counties. In the inaugural year in 2004, 5,151 students, 79 schools and 221 classrooms from 53 communities participated.
"We're very pleased with the incredible response and continued growth of this unique education program," said Joie Chitwood, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and chief operating officer. "The success proves that the 500 Festival and the Indianapolis 500, sources of pride for every Hoosier, are great tools to encourage learning among elementary school students across the state."
The 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500 Education Program provides a complimentary Indiana Academic Standard-compliant curriculum to fourth-grade teachers from schools and communities across Indiana in subjects including Indiana history, social studies, health, language arts, science, physical education and math. This innovative program strives to educate and foster creativity in Hoosier fourth-grade students by using the historical, social and economic significances of the 500 Festival, Indianapolis 500 and the thriving motorsports industry of Indiana in the curriculum.
Classroom lessons are followed up by an optional Study Trip (field trip) to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in April or May. Students apply lessons learned in the classroom with on-site programming and experiences designed to further educate them on the significance of the 500 Festival and Indianapolis 500's heritage and place in Indiana history. The program is offered to students in the fourth grade, as this is the year students learn Indiana history.
Participating schools will receive in-class teaching materials in January 2006.
The program recently was awarded the Silver Award in the International Festival and Events Association (IFEA)/Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Awards in the category of Best Education Program.
A look at the participation numbers from the three years of the program:
| 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |
| Students enrolled | 22,392 | 15,441 | 5,151 |
| Schools enrolled | 323 | 235 | 79 |
| Classrooms | 935 | 626 | 221 |
| Communities | 170 | 137 | 53 |
| Counties (out of 92) | 77 | 76 | NA |
| Study Trip participating schools | TBA | 129 | 62 |
| Study Trip participating students | TBA | 8,519 | 3,926 |
The mission of the 500 Festival, which originated in 1957, is to produce events and programs that celebrate the success of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Indiana and their guests. These events and programs, produced largely by more than 7,000 volunteers, enhance the image of the city and state by showcasing their cultural, educational and social benefits to the world.
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2006 Indy 500 tickets: Fans are encouraged to submit their ticket orders for the 90th Indianapolis 500 on May 28, 2006 to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as soon as possible. The most convenient, fastest method is online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com. Fans also can purchase tickets, camping or parking for the 90th Indianapolis 500 through the IMS ticket office at (800) 822-INDY.
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