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STEAM Newsletter – Saturday, August 1, 2026
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 68
Illinois State Fair 2026!
Discover Innovation Across Generations with the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology’s (DoIT) celebration of Illinois innovators, where innovation from the last quarter centennial will be center stage at the 2026 Illinois State Fair in Springfield August 13-23, 2026.
We’re kicking off the school year with high energy and innovation at this year’s Illinois State Fair, featuring exciting innovation-focused activities! Students will dive into hands-on experiments, interactive exhibits, and demonstrations that explore everything from robotics and coding to the fascinating world of STEAM. It’s a fun and inspiring way to spark curiosity and set the tone for a school year of discovery and learning!
DoIT has partnered with organizations around the state to showcase engaging and innovative STEAM activities and demos for all ages. DoIT’s theme, “Illinois Innovation Across Generations” will inspire fairgoers with creative activities focused on quantum, science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).
Starting August 13th, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of fun and educational activities at the Governor’s Tent located at Brian Raney Avenue and Main Street, including:
- August 13-16: 3D Mini Butter Cow Printing presented in partnership with the Orion Lab at the University of Illinois Springfield, DoIT is bringing back a fan favorite for four days! For the 5th year visitors will have the chance to get a time-honored 3D mini butter cow. This exhibit blends a classic Illinois tradition and cutting-edge technology, showcasing the kind of innovation that points toward a technology powered future.
- August 17: Cybersecurity Challenge presented by DoIT in partnership with the DoIT Cybersecurity Team to step into the shoes of a cybersecurity expert to build a line of defense that protects your digital identity.
- August 18: Design for Everyone presented by DoIT in partnership with the DoIT Accessibility Team and Illinois Assistive Technology Program, to write the perfect "alt-text" description for a series of images. By learning how inclusive coding "opens the door" to the internet and prove that accessible design creates better technology for everyone.
- August 19: AI Creation Station presented in partnership with the Google Cloud, to step into the role of a modern digital artist. Use the latest AI-assisted tools to craft your own images and short videos from scratch, bringing fantastical scenes to life just as Disney and Dr. Cox did with animation, but with the speed and power of artificial intelligence.
- August 20: Robotics in Motion presented by DoIT in partnership with Learning Technology Center of Illinois to bridge the gap between human collaboration and machine intelligence. Using LEGO Robotics, channel Skip Ellis’s spirit of INNOVATION on our interactive play table. Learn how the logic used to create collaborative software powers the digital code and robotic innovation of today.
- August 21-22: AI Creative Storytelling & Laser Maze presented by the DoIT Illinois Century Network (ICN) team to channel the spirit of pioneers Frances Horwich and Marty Cooper. Use AI tools to bring your creative storytelling ideas to life, then test your skills in the Laser Maze. Discover how light-based sensors help Technology "see" and interact with the world, bridging the gap between the educational and mobile innovations of the past and the intelligent, connected future.
- August 23: Creative Curiosity Clubhouse presented by the DoIT Communications Team to do interactive STEAM activity books—the "analog" version of the digital puzzles we solve every day—reminding everyone that every great innovator starts with a simple puzzle and a curious mind.
Let off some STEAM with these fun activities!
Recent News on STEAM
Expanding Impact Across Southern Illinois | Illinois Education and Career Success Network
"The Southern Illinois Leadership Community continues to build on strong momentum, with pilot schools in Vienna, Herrin, and Carbondale successfully implementing key 2-year program goals. These early successes are now serving as a model for broader regional adoption."
"Plants convert light into energy efficiently through photosynthesis—an ability that scientists and engineers still struggle to match with electronic devices.
Recently, researchers have looked beyond traditional semiconductor materials to create devices using a promising class of materials called nanoplasmonics. These tiny metal structures can absorb and concentrate optical energy and generate energetic charge carriers."
"When the U.S. Department of Energy launched the Genesis Mission to supercharge artificial intelligence-driven scientific discovery and innovation, it needed more than supercomputers. It required secure, best-in-class infrastructure to store data so researchers across the country could efficiently access the information."
Upcoming Events
Collaborate, Code, Create: CS & AI Learning with LEGO Education | Learning Technology Center
Tue. Aug. 4 | 9:00 am - 2:30 pm | Register
"Join us for an interactive session focused on LEGO Education Learning System, including how it can be used to bring STEM learning to life in your classroom. Through this system, students learn to work collaboratively and solve problems creatively – all while “playing” with a familiar set of tools that are easy to manage. We will learn with the CS & AI LEGO Education kits!"
New to You! Welcome to CS & STEM Bootcamp (K-8) | Learning Technology Center
Tue. Ag. 4 | 9:00 am - 2:30 pm | Register
"Join two of Illinois’ CS experts for a one-day, virtual professional development training and support session designed for K–8 educators, media specialists, and makerspace guides new to teaching computer science and STEM."
IDEA Northwest Chapter | Teacher Tabletop Tuesdays | IDEA
Aug. 4 - Jun 1, 2027 | 6 pm – 8 pm | Register
"Tabletop gaming is a growing hobby around the world and many educators are looking for ways to integrate them into their classrooms! Join the IDEA Northwest Chapter at Twisted Games & Collectibles in Freeport, IL on the first Tuesday of each month to explore new games, make connections, and have fun!"
Science in the City | Enjoy Illinois
Fri. Aug. 7 | 6 pm – 8 pm | 102 N. Vermilion St., Danville
"Explore interactive exhibits, experiment with cool gadgets, and uncover the wonders of the natural world. From mind-blowing demonstrations to fun challenges, it’s a day packed with curiosity, learning, and endless fun for all ages!"
Ignite Peoria 2026 | ArtsPartners | Peoria, IL
Sat. Aug 8 | 9 am – 5 pm | Peoria Civic Center
“Perfect for the whole family, Ignite Peoria showcases hundreds of local makers, musicians, artists, innovators, dancers, and actors, all in one STEAM inspired interactive FREE day of fun and learning!”
AI & Tech in our Schools | Learning Technology Center
Tue. Aug. 11 | 9 am - 1 pm | Register
"Join us for an engaging workshop on the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and its potential applications in the classroom. Participants will explore various AI tools, including Gemini, NotebookLM, School AI, and image generators."
Virtual Event: NASA’s CTE Day at Armstrong Flight Research Center
Wed. Aug. 19 | 11:30 am – 12:15 pm
"Virtual Event: NASA’s Career Technical Education Day at Armstrong Flight Research Center
NASA invites students to explore exciting career pathways in engineering technology and the technical workforce! This immersive event is designed to inspire the next generation of innovators, makers, and problem-solvers through hands-on experiences and real-world applications."
Project-Based Learning Made Easy: Ready-to-Use STEM Challenges for Every Classroom | Learning Blade
Wed. Aug. 26 | 12 pm – 12:30 pm | Register
Learning Blade is “hosting a Back-to-School webinar on August 26th at 1EST, where educators will hear directly from previous Educators of the Year about how they successfully implemented Learning Blade in their classrooms.”
Monarch Butterfly Festival | Illinois State Museum
Sat. Sep. 12 | 2 pm to 8 pm | 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, IL
"Join the Illinois State Museum, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Monarch Project, and a host of community partners as we celebrate Illinois' state insect, and everyone's favorite garden visitor, the Monarch Butterfly! Enjoy FREE games, activities, giveaways, and more at this community event - rain or shine!"
Science Works | Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Sat. Oct. 10 | 9:30 am – 2:30 pm | Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
“Science Works will feature dynamic speakers, hands-on activities and one-on-one discussions. Youth and their families can discover what interesting jobs the STE(A)M fields have to offer, see how to turn their passion into a career and get advice on pursuing a future in STE(A)M. This annual one-day event is included in General Admission. Tickets: Oct. 10”
IETC | Learning Technology Center
Wed. Nov. 11- Fri. Nov 13 | BOS Center Springfield, IL | Register
"At IETC, education and technology innovators from throughout Illinois gather in our state’s capital to learn, collaborate, and connect.
Sessions focus on technology integration strategies, engaging instructional practices, digital tools and resources, and emerging trends – all with a focus on helping every K-12 district and educator harness edtech’s full potential."
Educator's Corner
STEAM resources for in-person, hybrid, remote learning, and professional development
STEAM Resources
Illinois Career Information System 360
“Illinois Career Information System 360 (IL CIS360) is a free, comprehensive online system from the Illinois Department of Employment Security that provides career, education, and current labor market information in a single, easy-to-use tool. The PaCE Career Plan within IL CIS360 allows students to explore all activities aligned with the PaCE framework by grade level.”
"STEM Ecosystems are community-based collaborations that transform how students learn and connect to future opportunities. They bring together cross-sector partners—schools, afterschool programs, colleges, businesses, community organizations, and government agencies—to create powerful STEM learning experiences."
"Digital Youth Network (DYN) is a research lab focused on designing systems for connecting youth to opportunity. We are a team of researchers, product designers, technologists and practitioners that have worked at every level of the out-of-school time space since 2005.
We have led citywide OST networks, redesigned how public libraries can engage youth, delivered STEAM programming for thousands and developed a purpose-built infrastructure specifically for OST."
The 'A' in STEAM
"Arts foster scientific success" -Dr. Temple Grandin
This series is dedicated to showing how art and creativity play a crucial role in our society within the STEM fields.
Image Source: UIUC News Bureau
"The multimedia show “I Hear America Singing” celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence through songs that convey the ideals of our country’s founding and the ongoing journey to fulfill those ideals of liberty, unity and hope.
The show was created by Julie Gunn and Nathan Gunn, the co-directors of the Lyric Theatre program and music professors at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It involves more than a dozen Illinois faculty members and alumni.
“I Hear America Singing” was commissioned by the Peoria Riverfront Museum to complement its exhibitions celebrating the 250th anniversary, and the show premiered at the museum in March. It will be performed in Algona, Iowa, on Aug. 21 and at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on Sept. 10-11. The show takes inspiration, and its title, from the Walt Whitman poem “I Hear America Singing.”"
Please submit STEAM ideas, comments, or questions using our contact us form.
Any links being provided are for educational purpose use only; they do not constitute an endorsement, approval, affiliation, sponsorship, or partnership by the State of Illinois, Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) of any products, services or opinions of any of the linked entities. The State of Illinois bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content. The State of Illinois reserves the right to add or remove the links provided at any time without notice in its sole discretion and shall not be obliged to give a reason for doing so.