Place/Event: Iowa DOT Sign Shop
Location: 800 South 4th St., Ames, Iowa 50010
Cost: Free
Grade/age range: All ages.
Group size: 30 or less
Hands-on: No
Stroller friendly: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Food: No
Ever wonder how all those signs along the Iowa highways and byways get made? Or how tall each sign is? Come visit the Iowa DOT Sign Shop to learn more!
Cory and his team at the Sign Shop go above and beyond to give students a unique behind-the-scenes tour of how our roadway signs are handcrafted.
Student Tour
The tour circulates around the shop starting at the entrance and the blank sign storage area. Cory explained the barcode and tracking system, also the receiving and unpacking of blank signs which are manufactured by Iowa Prison Industries.
Next, students saw the computer programing for laying out lettering, the letter cutting machine, and how the stickers for the signs are hand laid.
Beyond this area are the ink screen printing and drying areas. Many of the tools and systems for ink printing reminded us of the screen printing shop at Living History Farms.
Once the signs are made, they are packaged and organized for shipping around the state of Iowa.
Unique old signs are on display around the shop, including several that have been struck by lightning.
In addition to showing us around the shop and demonstrating the sign-making progress and machinery, Cory took the time to explain the industry.
He encouraged the students to pursue graphic design, CAD, computer technology, and trade skills such as carpentry if they are interested in careers in this field.
The students had lots of questions which were happily answered, and were able to have their picture taken by a 5 ft speed limit sign. They received stickers and an activity book.
This is a fabulous field trip for any age, even my preschooler paid attention and pointed out signs along the road on the way home.
Explore More
Ames is a great location for field trips including on the Iowa State University campus. The ISU Insect Zoo is always a favorite along with Rieman Gardens.
That sounds like a really interesting field trip for all ages! We need to check it out sometime!
Thanks Val. I bet your kids would love it!