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STEAM Newsletter – Tuesday, July 1, 2025
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 55
Honoring the induction of DoIT and the STEAM Initiative
As we enter the heart of summer, we not only embrace the warmth of July but also celebrate a remarkable milestone—the 7th birthday of the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology and the launch of its statewide STEAM Initiative. Curated by a mission to make STEAM resources more accessible and inclusive, the STEAM initiative continues to amplify the voices of educators, universities, youth organizations and curious minds across the state.
The past years have seen this initiative grown into a vital ecosystem that bridges technology with creativity, expanding awareness of STEM and arts-integrated learning opportunities for all Illinoisians. Through strategic collaboration and visionary programming, DoIT-STEAM has empowered agencies, organizations, schools, and families to build a future where innovation thrives beyond the classroom walls.
Whether you’re diving into Quantum Research, refreshing your curriculum through shared community with other educators through professional learning communities such as those supported by the Learning Technology Center, or preparing to submit your proposal for IDEAcon, now is the time to enjoy the simple and marvel at the complex. Let this month remind us of the far-reaching impact of STEAM fields and inspire us to spark that same curiosity and wonder in young minds of the future.
Happy Birthday, DoIT! Cheers to the vibrant community it has cultivated and helped connect through STEAM!
Let off some STEAM with these fun activities!
Recent News on STEAM
"A new study offers insight into the health and lifestyle indicators — including diet, physical activity and weight — that align most closely with healthy brain function across the lifespan. The study used machine learning to determine which variables best predicted a person’s ability to quickly complete a task without becoming distracted."
"Putting hypersensitive quantum sensors in a living cell is a promising path for tracking cell growth and diagnosing diseases—even cancers—in their early stages.
Many of the best, most powerful quantum sensors can be created in small bits of diamond, but that leads to a separate issue: It’s hard to stick a diamond in a cell and get it to work."
"A team of researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Caltech, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, University of Geneva and Federico Santa María Technical University in Chile recently tested a new technology to determine whether superconducting microwire single photon detectors, or SMSPDs, are feasible for use in future particle physics experiments."
"Argonne researchers are developing new methods for using artificial intelligence to solve complex problems in particle physics.
In the world of particle physics, where scientists unravel the mysteries of the universe, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are making waves with how they’re increasing understanding of the most fundamental particles. "
Upcoming Events
Sat. Jul 12 | 9 am - 3 pm | Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield | Register
"What is all the buzz? Native bees are where its at and there are lots of native bees in Illinois. Explore and learn about bee taxonomy, bees versus other pollinators, mimics, native versus nonnative bees, behavior, and reproduction."
Tue. Jul 15 | 8:30 am - 11:30 am | U of I Extension Office, Carmi, 1715 College Ave, Carmi | Register
Computer Science Series: Strawbees (K-12) | Learning Technology Center
"Discover the engaging world of Strawbees! This workshop offers educators a hands-on introduction to this innovative building system designed to foster STEM and STEAM learning through play."
Tue. Jul 15 | 9 am - 2 pm | Register
"Join us for a hands-on workshop for educators ready to advance their AI journey. We’ll cover the basics of AI, its impact on education, and practical classroom applications."
Tue. Jul 15 | 8:30 am - 11:30 am | Cross County Mall, 700 Broadway Ave E E, Mattoon, IL
"This event is a part of EIU's Digital Literacy READY Initiative.
Explore the current status, future directions and career opportunities."
Thu. Jul 17 | 8 am - 4 pm | Tinley Park Convention Center, Tinley Park, Illinois | Register
2025 CCE Conference Information | College Changes Everything
"In uncertain and changing times, hope becomes a vital anchor that enables people to navigate challenges with resilience and purpose and with a sense of belonging and community. Please join us at the 2025 College Changes Everything® (CCE) conference and be part of the conversations as we engage with the question: How do we build community?"
Sat. Jul 19 | 9 am - 3 pm | Hoover Forest Preserve, Yorkville | Register
ENTICE Education Workshops: Wildlife Basics: Birds | IDNR
“Our feathered wild birds are all around us. We see them every day, but do not always know a lot about them. This workshop for educators of grades prekindergarten through 12 will provide an introduction to, and educational resources about the wild birds in our state.”
Thu. Jul 24 | 8:30 am - 3:45 pm | Illini Union | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
STEM Career Exploration and Symposium | Illinois Summer Research Program Alliance (ISRPA)
“The third annual STEM Career Exploration and Symposium highlights undergraduate research from across STEM disciplines.”
Mon. Jul 28 | 9:00 am - 3:30 pm | Tinker CAD & Other Tech Tools, Carlinville ROE | Register
"Registration deadline is July 10th
Teachers (4th-12th grade) will explore how to incorporate Tinkercad into the math, science, or computer classroom. Teachers will design their very own object with TinkerCad which will be printed using a 3D printer."
Mon. Aug 4 | 10:00 am - 11:30 am CDT | Register
"Unleash the power of Canva’s Magic Studio and transform your teaching materials with AI! This workshop dives into Magic Studio’s tools like Magic Write, Design, Edit, and Eraser to help you effortlessly generate creative text, design captivating visuals and enhance images."
Sat. Aug 9 | 9 am - 5 pm | Peoria Civic Center | Register
"Central Illinois’ premier arts and makers fest returns to the Peoria Civic Center on August 9, 2025!
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!"
Wed. Sep 24 - Fri. Sep 26 | President Abraham Lincoln Springfield—A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, and the BOS Center, Springfield
IASA Annual Conference | Illinois Association of School Administrators
"The Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA) is pleased to announce that we are offering businesses that provide supplies, equipment or services to public schools the opportunity to meet with Illinois school administrators at the IASA Annual Conference.
Registration and Lodging Open in early August; No Longer Accepting Breakout Proposals."
Wed. Nov 12 - Fri. Nov 14 | 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 Spotlight
"Founded by acclaimed artists Jonathon and Nikki Romain, ART Inc. offers a dynamic and inclusive environment for children, youth, and adults to engage in the arts. Our diverse programs in theatre, music, visual arts, and STEAM activities are designed to inspire and empower the community."
“Project Scientist provides hands-on immersive summer and after-school programs focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) to girls* ages 4-18 from marginalized and underserved communities.”
"The Illinois Center for Family and Community Engaged STEAMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, and Medicine), also known as the Illinois FACES Center, provides a centralized resource for accessing rich and diverse pre-college STEAMM content and activities for students and families, K-12 educators, and youth-serving community organizations."
"Whether at school or at home, check out these tools and resources that help you take action to improve outcomes for kids by addressing the health of the whole child."
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.
"Members of the Gina Lorenz research group collaborate in her quantum optics lab. Photo by Bill Wiegand for Illinois Physics"
"The first seeds of the art-science collaboration now known as CASCaDe were planted in 2016, when Illinois Physics Professor Smitha Vishveshwara first met Illinois Theatre Professor Latrelle Bright.
Vishveshwara’s science spans the quantum to the cosmic. She studies everything from exotic quantum systems—ultracold Bose-Einstein condensates, superfluids, and superconductors—to black holes and even protein networks. Yet she’s always had a deep affinity for the arts and envisioned a space where she could blend these two interests into one.
“Art has always been a part of my life,” reflects Vishveshwara. “My grandfather was a playwright, and my father, a black-hole physicist and planetarium director, scripted shows with musicians and visual artists. So I grew up in that environment.”
Bright, a prolific director, uses theatre and storytelling to build community in a unique approach she calls “theatre-making.” She traces her journey in science back to her interests in nature and in humans’ relationship to the environment.
“Making new things with a group of people really feels like the way I want the world to work,” shares Bright. “I use these devised performance pieces to continue learning. After undergrad, when I found myself in charge of my continued education, I was eventually drawn to nature and the environment. This turned into a fascination with water over time—water in our region, our state, our country, and the world.”"
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.