Interactive guides for educators are available that connect common activities at Illinois’s fairs and festivals with students and related careers.

Download Resources For Your Classroom

Fairs & Festivals Educator's Guide
Illinois has been home to fairs and festivals in every single county across our great state for more than 160 years. The Prairie State also hosts two state fairs that showcase the fun and opportunity Illinois has to offer – the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and the Du Quoin State Fair in Southern Illinois. Our county and state fairs highlight agriculture as a major industry in our region. However, as you explore the attractions and activities on the fairgrounds, you might be surprised to discover connections to career possibilities across many diverse sectors.

From history to architecture, manufacturing to engineering, food service to health care, journalism and the arts, our state’s fairs and festivals offer inspiration to spark every student’s interests. The Ilinois Fairs & Festivals educators's guide can help students discover dozens of in-demand careers right here in Illinois through interactive and engaging lessons aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards.

Career Guide
The Illinois State Board of Education has produced a Career Guide for the 2019-2020 school year. This guide is meant to be shared with students, parents, teachers and counselors on various career paths available in Illinois. This guide can be used to assist students in exploring careers and developing a personalized education career pathway.

Resources