Time to get technical with your family and head to the Innovation Studio on the University of Illinois campus
Innovation Studio open hours are an awesome opportunity to take your older children and teens to get up close and be exposed to things like 3D printing, virtual reality, and more
We know that Champaign-Urbana and the many organizations connected to the University of Illinois are chock full of innovation, technology and educational opportunities. Knowing that, we shouldn’t be surprised that new opportunities continue to emerge and become available to the community, allowing us to expose ourselves — and our children, in many cases and at varying ages — to the latest and greatest.
If someone in your family geeks out over everything tech, you’re going to be pumped to learn about open hours at the Innovation Studio.
Innovation Studio, located in the Armory Building on the University of Illinois campus, is an innovation space run by the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning. That’s a lot of big words to describe that it’s a really stinkin’ cool space full of everything technology. Some of the technology on display includes 3D scanning and printing, laser engraving, virtual reality and more.
Innovation Studio serves a variety of purposes on the campus, but when we found out its open hours were available to anyone in the community, we had to take our kids and check it out. As of August 2024, open hours are noon-4 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, so an after-school visit is definitely possible. Homeschool families will want to know about Innovation Studio, as open hours would make a great field trip.
When we arrived, we had to do a quick sign-in (there is one form for University-affiliated visitors, another for community members without University affiliation).
Someone showed us around first. Director Jamie Nelson told us the games we’d be trying were geared for ages 12 and up — making this an ideal stop for teens — but kids as young as 8 years old could at least get a taste of what was available.
Adults are encouraged to engage with the technology, too, so you know mom had to get in there, too!
The staff helping us made sure the kids and adults in our group were the ones that got to “do” when it came to the different things. The kids were able to type something into the computer and were shown how to manipulate it before sending it to the printer. They watched it print for about 15 minutes but we were told we could leave and come back later to pick it up. There are time constraints on the 3D printing projects to keep this free for the community, so the team will help you choose something that has an appropriate size and detail level to work within the time period allowed.
A visit to Innovation Studio open hours is recommended for tweens and up. No matter what kinds of things they’re most interested in, they’ll probably find something interesting.
For kids between 8 and 12, we recommend you use your judgment as you know your kids best. Our elementary-aged child did fine and had fun.
On campus and not sure where to eat? Here are some of our favorite places to eat on campus. Right across from the TechHub is the University of Illinois Ice Arena.
Looking for other STEM fun in Champaign-Urbana? Check out our calendar.
IF YOU GO:
The Armory is located at 505 E. Armory Ave. (now you know how that street got its name).
Parking is available on the street at meters, bring your change (or use the handy app). Or, take MTD.
Visit the Innovation Studio website before you go for everything you need to know.