ACES Family Academies

The ACES Alumni Association welcomes alumni to bring their youth ages 8-13 to campus for a unique intergenerational learning experience at ACES Family Academies. This three-day interaction is a fun-filled experience that actively engages kids in ACES academics while creating memories for families.

Enroll in courses and “graduate” with a diploma. Along with the activities in the classroom, there is plenty of time to socialize.  Read stories about the 2025 Family Academies to get a deeper snapshot into our program!

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Seeds of the Future: Exploring the National Plant Genebank for Food and Farming 

Where do new crop traits come from—and how do they keep our food secure? In this hands-on class, youth (8–13) and their adults will explore the National Soybean Germplasm GenBank to see how seed 'time capsules' safeguard diversity that breeders use to improve nutrition, yield, and resilience. We’ll sort seeds, scan barcodes like real curators, and follow a seed’s journey from vault to field. Then we’ll tour the refrigerated seed room and visit field plots to spot real-world diversity in action.

Trading (Candy) Makes Everyone Happier 

We will use candy to discuss common economic principles such as supply and demand, utility, and global trade through a fun interactive activity involving candy!

Buzzer Beater Branding 

In this fast-paced, hands-on activity, ACES Family Academies participants will become the creative force behind a high-energy campaign to promote the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) during a Fighting Illini basketball game at State Farm Center. Through rotating stations, kids will explore different forms of marketing — from slogans to swag — designed to engage fans and boost awareness of ACES.

Discovering your Family’s Superpower — One Meal Tradition at a Time!

What if the dinner table is more than just a place to eat? What if it’s where family superpowers are discovered? In this hands-on, high-energy session, youth and adults will explore the sights, smells, tastes, and stories behind their favorite family meals. Through interactive activities, storytelling, and creative reflection, participants will uncover how food traditions connect generations and strengthen family bonds. Inspired by Doris Christopher’s book Come to the Table: A Celebration of Family Life, participants will leave inspired, connected, and equipped with a fun new tradition to try at home.

Junior Wildlife Scientists 

Learn about both the latest technology and the time-proven tools used in wildlife research. Try your hand at some of the skills you would use as a wildlife researcher!

Passport to the World 

Join ACES International Programs in planning your dream international trip. Learn the steps you need to take to become a savvy world-traveler and learn about the food and agriculture in your destination country. Treat yourself to some international snacks as a reward for your savvy travel planning!

Future of Farming: Ag Robots 

The usage of robots in agriculture is growing. We will talk about the current and future use of robots on farms. Attendees will build and program a small robot during the session.

Protect the Plate 

Protect the Plate explores how different technologies have transformed agriculture and how farmers, government, and consumers must continue to innovate, learn, and adapt to grow more food in a sustainable manner while focusing on food safety. Youth will learn about food safety through challenges focused on pest management, EPA requirements, and foodborne illness.

From Cells to Snacks 

Have you ever heard that bacteria and yeast are the future of food and wondered how that could possibly be true? Learn about precision fermentation, liquid-solid separations, and the science behind how alternative protein is made from IBRL’s team of expert engineers and food scientists.

Fun with Fermentation 

Are you interested in fermentation and looking for easy recipes to make at home? In this fermentation workshop, you will learn about the basic fundamentals of lacto-fermentation, how to safely ferment at home, and make your own fermented ginger ale to take home!

Secrets of the Rain Garden: Nature, Insects & Hidden Wonders

Step into the vibrant world of the Red Oak Rain Garden and discover how this special place protects our environment while buzzing with life! In this hands-on adventure, Extension Outreach Associate Maddy Craft will show you how rain gardens manage stormwater, improve water quality, and create a home for pollinators and wildlife. You'll get up close with fascinating insects and learn how to document your discoveries using the iNaturalist app. Plus, don’t miss the garden’s hidden surprise that only reveals itself in the rain.

Can a Computer See You Move? A Live Pose Detection Experience

This session is a live, interactive demonstration where children and adults can stand in front of a camera to see how a computer detects their body position and movement in real time using pose estimation and image segmentation. Participants can move, jump, and play while watching the system respond visually on the big screen. A built‑in game tracks how many times you raise your right or left hand. Additional displays show how these same technologies are used in digital agriculture to monitor movement and behavior within modern farming systems.

What's Poppin? 

Find out what’s poppin’ in Crop Sciences! Learn how breeders in ACES made the all-new popcorn hybrid Illini SuperPopTM and the science behind why it pops. This session will also explore how the latest technologies help improve the crops we eat. Participate in hands-on and tasty demonstrations as you learn, study, and eat Illinois’s official snack food.

The Dirt on Soil: Exploring, Identifying, and Conserving! 

Ever wonder what soils are made of? Get your hands dirty during this soil exploration experience while discovering all that the Earth’s greatest natural resource has to offer to its inhabitants. Get the dirt on soil!

AI and Online Safety for Kids and Parents 

This training teaches families how to use Google Gemini safely through supervised access, built‑in youth protections, and clear rules for responsible AI use. It helps kids develop digital literacy by practicing safe prompting, spotting scams and AI‑generated fakes, and using Gemini as a learning tool rather than a shortcut. The session ends with a family tech agreement that reinforces healthy habits, safety reporting, and ongoing parent–child communication.

Rumen Raiders: Exploring the Secret Stomach of Cows 

Ever wondered what happens inside a cow’s stomach? In this hands-on class, you’ll get the chance to feel inside a cow’s rumen, see the tiny microbes that help cows digest their food, and discover how these amazing animals turn plants into protein. It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get up close and personal with the science of cow digestion!

The Secret Life of Plants 

In this class, we’ll become plant detectives and explore the amazing jobs leaves do to keep plants alive. We’ll investigate leaf parts, patterns, and shapes and learn why no two leaves are exactly the same. After learning how leaves work, we’ll put our plant knowledge to the test by using real leaves to make prints on a canvas bag. You’ll take home your own leafy masterpiece as proof of your plant science skills!

Smart Agriculture: Sensors and Automation 

To help us be efficient in feeding the world, sensors and automation will play an important part in the future of agriculture. In this session we will explore different ways we measure environmental conditions and set up automatic systems with sensors. Participants will get to build and program a small "smart farm".

Fantastic Fish 

Did you know at least 217 species of fish have been recorded in Illinois waters? Get your feet (or just hands!) wet with this fun hands-on exploration of our fine-finned friends.

Money Masters Laboratory 

Students become financial scientists as they experiment with budgets, test out investing basics, and learn how small choices can lead to big results. They’ll also explore exciting careers in finance and wealth management, discovering how experts help people build bright futures.

Harvest Treasure Hunt 

Have you ever wondered how your food is grown? Explore the Sustainable Student Farm, learn about the veggies grown by University of Illinois students, and hunt down some veggie treasures to take for yourself!

CSI: Come Study Insects 

Did you know that our lives are affected by insects every minute of every day? From what we eat to what we wear and even our homes are all made possible by the actions of insects. We will learn about pollination, insect anatomy and even try our hand at catching and identifying bugs.

Wildlife Veterinarians in Training

Participants will meet the Wildlife Medical Clinic’s ambassador animals up close while discovering how veterinarians care for injured and orphaned wildlife. They’ll then get up close with owl pellets, uncovering hidden bones to piece together the story of an owl’s meal..