Inside the Tollway

The Illinois Tollway welcomed more than 50 Scouts to the Aurora Maintenance Facility on for a Scout Tech event offering a hands-on learning experience and the opportunity to earn their Auto Maintenance merit badges.

Part of the Illinois Tollway Trailblazers initiative, Scout Tech connects young people with the technology, skills and professionals who help keep the transportation system safe, reliable and moving. 

Throughout the event, Scouts rotated through interactive demonstrations on vehicle maintenance, electrical systems, engines, led by Tollway fleet, facilities and maintenance professionals.

Activities included:

• Station One: Engine and Fuel Systems - Compare gasoline, diesel and hybrid engines. Learn how engine components work together and how fuel injection operates.
• Station Two: Ignition and Vehicle Value - Explore vehicle electrical systems, spark plugs and electric vehicles. Watch a jumper cable demonstration and learn how vehicle values are estimated.
• Station Three: Oil Changes and Fluids - Watch an oil change demonstration. Learn about oil ratings, fluid checks and routine maintenance, including belts, hoses, lights, fuses and air filters.
• Station Four: Brake Systems - Learn how hydraulic and antilock brakes work. Compare drum and disc brakes and review how to check brakes.
• Station Five: Dashboard Gauges and Indicators - Review dashboard gauges, warning lights and symbols to understand what they tell drivers about a vehicle’s condition.
• Station Six: Tires and Vehicle Jacks - Learn about tire construction and wheel alignment. Watch a tire change demonstration using a vehicle jack.
• Station Seven: Drivetrain and Transmission - Compare manual and automatic transmissions. Learn about transmission fluid and the differences among front-wheel, rear-wheel and four-wheel drive.

Beyond gaining practical automotive knowledge, Scouts connected directly with Tollway employees who demonstrated equipment, shared their career experiences and answered questions about their work.

These conversations introduced participants to opportunities in automotive technology, engineering, skilled trades and public service, showing how their interests and skills could lead to future careers in transportation.

Through programs like Scout Tech, the Illinois Tollway continues to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences, helping young people explore their interests, develop practical skills and discover career paths in the transportation industry.

Learn More : https://agency.illinoistollway.com/tollway-trailblazers