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STEAM Newsletter – Thursday, January 1, 2026
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 61
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year innovators and future leaders! Whether you’re interested in computer science, the arts, or the power of AI, 2026 promises to be the year where ideas can reshape our reality. Engineerteen is trying something new with their EngineerGirl Writing Contest, encouraging contestants to submit a project using art to express how engineers create a better world!
In the spirit of creativity and exploration— Discovery Partners Institute is hosting a virtual information session for those interested in joining Digital Explorers (DE) for an 8-week series. Digital Explorers is a mobile app development series for middle school students who are interested in tech but have limited experience, access, or awareness.
This is a time for students to get excited about innovation, but also a time for our fellow educators and partners. Our Illinois Century Network partners will be present at IDEAcon 2026 Conference. IDEACon will be hosted from February 9th until February 11th in Schaumburg, Illinois. There will be three days dedicated to attendees engaging with thought leaders and regional speakers; with the subject focus on current topics in education and innovative practices.
Be a part of something bigger: join our community of innovators by sharing your projects ideas or experience with us for a chance to be featured as our STEAM Project of the month in the Newsletter.
Let off some STEAM with these fun activities!
Grade 9 - 12
Recent News on STEAM
Book prepares K-12 leaders for the next public health crisis | University of Illinois News Bureau
"In a new book, a team of experts in educational policy, epidemiology and public health chronicles the challenges faced by educators, public health authorities and school officials during the COVID-19 pandemic and offers a guide to some of the lessons learned as K-12 schools weathered that crisis."
"A new computational approach developed at the University of Chicago promises to shed light on some of the world’s most puzzling materials—from high-temperature superconductors to solar cell semiconductors—by uniting two long-divided scientific perspectives."
"A Universities Research Association (URA) Visiting Scholars Program grant is allowing Illinois Tech researchers to team with Fermilab scientists to develop software for a network data transfer switch that will allow scientists to compute data more efficiently."
Upcoming Events
ideaU January 2026 | Data-Driven Instruction | IDEA
Jan 1, 2026 - Jan 31, 2026 | 9 am - 11 pm | Register
“We believe professional learning should be responsive, inclusive, and available when you need it most. That’s why we’ve reimagined ideaU as a monthly series of on-demand videos, each centered around a timely theme that speaks to the heart of today’s educational landscape."
Women Artists of the Golden Age: From Antwerp to Amsterdam | Smithsonian Institution
Fri. Jan 9 | 12 pm – 2 pm EST | Register
“Complementing the exhibit "Women Artists from Antwerp to Amsterdam, 1600–1750" at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, a lecture by art historian Aneta Georgievska-Shine highlights Dutch and Flemish women’s contributions to 17th- and early 18th-century art.”
3D Printing: Creative Design and Problem Solving | Learning Technology Center
Tue. Jan 13 | 9 - 3 pm | Register | North Cook ISC 1 , 1001 E Touhy Ave, Suite 200 Des Plaines
"Ready to turn your students’ imagination into reality? This hands-on workshop will give you the confidence to bring 3D printing into your classroom, no prior experience needed.”
Hi, AI! (AI Conference) | Learning Technology Center
Thu. Jan 15 – Fri. 16 | Register
“The age of AI in education is here, and it’s time to say hello. Hi, AI is a virtual conference designed for K-12 educators, administrators, and technology leaders to explore artificial intelligence’s rapidly evolving role in schools.”
ROE 20 Computer Science Curriculum Cohort | Learning Technology Center
Tue. Jan 20 | 3 pm - 4 pm | Register
“This ongoing professional learning opportunity invites K-12 educators of all experience levels to join the ROE 20 Computer Science Curriculum Cohort.”
Infusing Technology in the ELA Classroom | Learning Technology Center
Wed. Jan 21 | 9 am - 2 pm | Register
“Specifically for ELA teachers, this workshop will address meaningful, productive, creative, and content-specific uses of technology in the classroom.”
Apply to Discover Computing | Connect with p5js!
Every Sat. | Jan 24 – Feb. 28 (6 Saturdays Total) | 9 am – 1 pm | Discovery Partners Institute at 200 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago | Apply
“Throughout the p5.js series of the Discover Computing Program, participating high schoolers will CONNECT with their inner artist through creative coding projects using JavaScript and the p5.js platform.
VIRTUAL INFO SESSIONS
We are holding virtual information sessions on the following dates if you're interested in learning more and getting your questions answered!
Thursday, December 18 – 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. – Register Here
Monday, January 5 – 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. – Register Here”
Apply to our middle school program, Digital Explorers!
Every Sat. | Jan 24 – March 14 (8 Saturdays) | 9 am – 1 pm | Discovery Partners Institute at 200 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago | Apply
“Digital Explorers (DE) is a mobile app development series for middle school students (6th through 8th grades) interested in tech, but with limited experience, access, or awareness.
VIRTUAL INFO SESSIONS
We are holding virtual information sessions on the following dates if you're interested in learning more and getting your questions answered!
Thursday, December 18 – 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. – Register Here
Monday, January 5 – 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. – Register Here
Deadline to apply is Jan. 9, 2026”
ENTICE Education Workshops: Winter Animals | IDNR
Sat. Jan 24 | 9 am – 3 pm | Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago | Register
"Temperatures below freezing and snow on the ground might mean warm hot chocolate by the fire for us, but what about the animals that call Illinois home? Explore the amazing ways that animals survive in winter, what adaptations they have, and where they are hiding."
ENTICE Education Workshops: Keystone Species: American Beaver | IDNR
Sat. Jan 31 | 9 am – 3 pm | Isle a la Cache, Romeoville | Register
“The American Beaver, mayor of its ecosystem, is a one-of-a-kind keystone species. Explore the life history, ecological importance, and reintroduction of the beaver in Illinois.”
2026 STEM Conference | Bradley University
Wed. Feb 4 | 8:30 am -1:30 pm | Bradley University, Westlake Hall, N. Glenwood Ave, Peoria | Register | Information Flyer
"This conference provides PreK-12 science, math, and STEM educators, educational leaders, and administrators the opportunity to share in a community of learning in support of strong STEM teaching and learning as well as gain valuable insights into how to support science, math, and or integrated STEM/STEM learning experiences in their classrooms."
Mon. Feb 9 – Wed. Feb 11 | Schaumburg, IL & Virtual | Register
“IDEAcon isn't just a conference; IDEAcon is an experience.
For three full days, attendees have access to experienced thought leaders and regional speakers all focused on current topics in education and who represent innovative practices.”
Central Illinois Regional | FIRST Illinois Robotics
Wed. Mar 18 - Sat. Mar 21 | Renaissance Coliseum, 1600 West Main Street, Peoria, IL
“The Central Illinois Regional (CIR) FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an intense three-day event showcasing robots developed and operated by teams of high school students. The competing robots are the result of 6-1/2 weeks of high school students and professional engineering/science mentors teaming up to solve the engineering challenges presented by the Season Challenge/Robot Game.”
Educator's Corner
STEAM resources for in-person, hybrid, remote learning, and professional development
- Computer Science Resource Library | Learning Technology Center of Illinois
- Browse K-12 STEM Curriculum | NCWIT.org | Teach Engineering
- Environmental Education Materials | IEPA
- Resources | Family and Community Engaged STEAMM | University of Illinois
- Resources | Early Childhood Professional Learning IL
STEAM Resources
Professional Development | PBS LearningMedia
“PBS LearningMedia offers a suite of free resources that are designed to help educators improve their skills and broaden their expertise. By offering real life scenarios, professional development content allows educators to learn proven techniques and transfer that knowledge to their own classroom environment.”
Educator Development & Curricular Programs | Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
“IMSA’s Outreach Department offers educator professional development trainings and pedagogy-rich student curricular programs in STEM/STEAM experiences and content. These opportunities align with IMSA’s four core competencies for teaching and learning: Inquiry-Based, Problem-Centered, Competency-Driven, and Integrative.”
Online Resources | Adler Planetarium
“The Adler has many resources for teachers to use in the classroom and during their Adler field trips. Our field trip and show guides help teachers, chaperones, or other group leaders connect our exhibitions and shows to Illinois Learning Standards.”
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.
2026 Writing Contest: The Art of Engineering | EngineerTeen
“They say a picture is worth a thousand words, because images often tell an entire story. Visual thinking is an important part of engineering design, so this year we are trying something new with the EngineerGirl Writing Contest. We would like you to use art to express how engineers create a better world! Submissions should also include a written artist’s statement that explains how the artwork demonstrates that contribution. In addition to the showcase of winners, where possible, winning submissions (or portions of the winning submissions) from this competition will be featured in the background of the EngineerGirl website!
Engineering and art have much in common, and in fact engineers and artists go through a very similar process when designing. For this contest, we’d like you to use the engineering design process to create your submission.”
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.