217 Today: LabEscape in Urbana celebrates the International Year of Quantum with a blend of science and fun

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Paul Kwiat demonstrates how 3D glasses reveal colorful refractions of polarized light from an otherwise transparent object. Kwiat is the founder of the nonprofit LabEscape and a physics professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
  • Photo: Brittany Prempin/Illinois Student Newsroom

Monday, April 28, 2025

Today’s headlines:

  • Classes at Illinois State University will resume today, but the Bone Student Center remains closed as police investigate a shooting that injured one person last night.
  • Proper nutrition helps support the immune system, which is important for people living with HIV/AIDS. It’s why the Greater Community AIDS Project in Champaign offers free cooking classes.
  • Over 10,000 people took part in the 2025 Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend.
  • The Fighting Illini baseball team won two out of three games this weekend at home against Purdue. 

In today’s deep dive, we’ll learn about a science-based escape room in Urbana that challenges participants to harness the power of curiosity and collaboration.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Mosqueda. Reporting today contributed by Charlie Schlenker, Lauren Warnecke, Sam Rink, Mary Piacente, Colin Hislope and Brittany Prempin.

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Stephanie Mosqueda

Stephanie Mosqueda is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with minors in Spanish and public relations. She is the 217 Today producer and a reporter for the Illinois Student Newsroom.