In 2025, scientists from PRI’s five scientific surveys – Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, and Illinois State Water Survey — led extensive public and educational outreach, engaging K–12 students, the public, and university, state, and industry partners. At last count, they conducted over 620 events, engaging over 51,900 students, community members, and stakeholders across Illinois.
Each survey contributes unique and specialized technical outreach, cultural education, or environmental advocacy that reflects the robust institutional commitment to science communication for the public good, STEM advancement, industry partnership, and stakeholder collaboration across Illinois.
The Traveling Science Center (TSC) brought hands-on STEM learning experiences to 37 elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as public events across Illinois, and engaged 5508 students and citizens. Schools visited by the TSC ranged from the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Community Center in East St. Louis to schools and libraries across Chicago and locally in the Champaign, Urbana, and Rantoul region.
Biologists of the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) hosted over 130 events and engaged over 20,800 participants. The INHS Collections, Field Stations, and Conservation Programs engaged K–12 students, the public, and university and state partners. That doesn’t include the Illinois Learn to Hunt’s 69 virtual and hands-on events that taught over 5,000 new hunters introductory and advanced skills.
Archaeologists from the Illinois State Archaeological Survey (ISAS) conducted 130 events and engaged nearly 13,400 community members, students, and stakeholders in outreach events that ranged from workshops, field schools, local community presentations, and K–12 learning events. ISAS focused its outreach on cultural heritage and archaeology, partnership building with descendant communities, and engaging with historical and museum societies.
The Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) conducted 275 events, engaging over 10,500 participants in public education and professional engagement focused on water sustainability, climate education, and media outreach. The State Climatologist Office at ISWS participated in 159 public engagement events and 46 media interviews on climate and weather forecasting science.
The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) held sustainability, zero waste, and technical assistance programs through the Illinois Public Water Infrastructure program that saved stakeholders and Illinois citizens over $246,000 and 2,187,000 kWh.
The Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) conducted over 48 engagement events that engaged over 1600 participants in geological education and stakeholder-specific training.