Hi AITC County Coordinators & College Faculty-

An opportunity to help educate the public about the food and agriculture industry.  Contact Mary Reynolds below for more information.  Thank you.  Dean

I am the Education Group CIO at the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT).  One of our initiatives is to promote STEAM education opportunities through our DoIT STEAM website, monthly DoIT STEAM Newsletter, and events.  We are collaborating with public and non-public organizations to organize the Tech Prairie STEAM Expo which will be held at the 2022 Illinois State Fair during the last five days of the Fair August 17 -21, 2022.  10 am - 6 pm each day.  The Expo will be held in the Orr Building on the west side of the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois. 

Complimentary parking and attendance passes, tables, and Internet connections for those wanting to display.

The goal is to showcase STEAM initiatives and opportunities in Illinois.  Highlights of the Expo will include interactive exhibits and demonstrations as well as a drone competition and eSports tournament.  One of our new features is that we are reaching out to school districts and student organizations to encourage them to explore STEAM careers inside the Expo.   We would love to have Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom represented in the Expo!

We welcome all State Fair visitors to engage and learn more about STEAM education and opportunities.  As background, information about the inaugural 2021 STEAM Expo, additional videos, and information such as the Iist of 2021 exhibitors can be found on the DoIT STEAM website. 

We welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss our plans and explore ways that we could showcase Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom.  If you are interested, please share a couple of times and dates when you are available and we will schedule a call.  We look forward to collaborating with you to highlight your innovative programs!  Thanks.

Mary Reynolds |Education Group CIO

Department of Innovation & Technology

120 W. Jefferson, Springfield, IL  62702

Office: 217-557-8979 | Cell: 217-720-2592

mary.reynolds3@illinois.gov | DoIT.illinois.gov |DoIT STEAM