Engineering Open House at the University of Illinois is filled with STEM fun for families in Champaign-Urbana
Why EOH on the University of Illinois Engineering campus is fun for kids
It’s a weekend on campus we look forward to all year long — EOH weekend at the University of Illinois Engineering campus, and it’s time to get our science on!
The College of Engineering hosts its open house events April 4 and 5, which means your family can get a peek to see what exciting things students and staff are working on. This year’s Engineering Open House is again student-led.
Get the entire Engineering Open House visitor’s guide here
Most of the exhibits are geared toward elementary school children and older. All of them offer free admission. Saturday is considered independent attendance day at EOH, with many schools (and more crowds) attending on Friday. Like a trip to a theme park or museum, you can break up your visit to Engineering Open House over the course of two days if you wish and still not run out of things to see and do.
Parking may be tricky in some cases, although on Saturdays most university parking lots are open to the public — read signs closely! Metered parking may be available but could be scarce. Free parking is available in the State Farm Center lot on the southwest corner of campus with a free shuttle system running regularly. If you find that lot E-14 is full, you can park at lot B-4 at Mathews Avenue and University Avenue. Scroll down on the Engineering Open House website to learn about parking information.
Editor’s note: We have had good luck parking in lot B-4 at University and Mathews on Saturday in the past. You’ll be closest to Beckman Institute and can visit the Beckman Institute Open House, happening at the same time, as your first stop.
Engineering Open House
When: Friday, April 4, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday, April 5, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Exhibits are all over campus. Literally. The highest concentration is in and around the Bardeen Quad. Be sure to bring your walking shoes, and strollers or carriers for little ones. Events will be indoors and outdoors, under tents in some cases, with specific demonstrations and things planned at specific times. Get the exhibit list for EOH 2025 now.
What: Engineering Open House is an annual student-led event featuring two days of exciting exhibits and captivating competitions that showcase the talent and ingenuity of engineering students. There are 250 exhibits put on by individual students, societies, and departments. The exhibits are for people of all ages and educations, displaying everything from basic science and engineering principles to current discoveries. Both interactive and informative, the comprehensive display of exhibits at EOH will be a fun learning experience for the whole family. All exhibits are free and open to the public.
Check out the exhibit list to gauge the appropriateness of each exhibit for your family. There are on-site design challenges that are fun for young children. Because there is so much to see spread across the Bardeen quad, your family can study the visitor’s guide and make a game plan before arriving, letting each child pick a few “must see” exhibits.
The Tesla Coil Concert at the Bardeen Quad on Friday, April 4, at 8:30 p.m. is a favorite event!
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Other favorite exhibits we see are happening this year are:
- Robobrawl
- Rube Goldberg Machine
- Hydrology sandbox
- Railway train control and signaling
Also happening during the weekend: Beckman Open House
When: Friday, April 4, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday, April 5, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Beckman Institute, 405 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana.
What: The Beckman Institute Open House is an opportunity for Champaign-Urbana community members to encounter the science, meet the people, and experience the impact of world-changing discovery. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to participate in hands-on demos, complete the science scavenger hunt, and take a commemorative photo at the selfie station.
Beckman Institute Open House happens at the same time as Engineering Open House. Head to the UIUC campus for a day of learning and fun.
More details available on the Beckman Open House website, or read our post all about Beckman Open House.
