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STEAM Newsletter – Sunday, September 1, 2024
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 45
Cultivate Curiosity!
Fall is the perfect time to cultivate curiosity in students and share opportunities related to STEAM. This newsletter includes numerous resources for classroom activities as well as links to stimulating events where educators can learn new strategies and students can become inspired.
The Learning Technology Center’s Digital Literacy Conference is scheduled September 13 online where educators can “discover how to foster tomorrow’s digital citizens.” The Illinois Department of Natural Resources sponsors educator workshops through the ENTICE program where educators can earn professional development hours and learn how to incorporate Illinois’ natural resources into lessons.
Northern Illinois University’s STEM Fest is a free family event scheduled from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, September 28, 2024 in DeKalb. The CareerSpark experience scheduled October 1 & 2, 2024 at the Peoria Civic Center will include 55 middle schools representing nearly 4,000 8th grade students from across the Greater Peoria region. For additional information regarding that experience, please email Angie Houck angie.houck@ja.org. The University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Open House will be held from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, October 6, 2024 in Urbana.
Please share with us additional events that we can help promote in future DoIT STEAM Newsletters where students can explore career opportunities in STEAM fields.
Let off some STEAM with these fun activities!
Recent News on STEAM
“Two researchers from Southern Illinois University Carbondale are studying the role remnants of a once common bamboo species plays in improving soil and water, supporting wildlife and the effects of nearby forests.
Jim Zaczek, professor of forestry in the School of Forestry and Horticulture, and Thanchira “M.J.” Suriyamongkol, a graduate student with SIU’s Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, are studying giant cane, a woody perennial bamboo species native to the United States and found across 22 southeastern states from Maryland across Southern Illinois and eastern Oklahoma, and down to east Texas and Florida.
Using a grant from the Illinois Native Plant Society, along with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Program, the two are investigating the relationship between canebrake growth and forest characteristics, specifically assessing the impact of forest canopy cover and the cane’s density, height and coverage area.
The work could provide clues for better management of the species to improve its overall health and protect its important place in the ecosystem, including its role as a mitigator of agricultural runoff."
"Fourteen-year-old St. Charles, Illinois, high schooler Sarah Krohn knew how she wanted to spend her summer vacation.
“I love to learn,” said Krohn, who completed her freshman year in the spring. “It’s one of my biggest passions to learn about something I’m interested in, like quantum physics.”
Krohn was one of 24 Illinois high school students participating in the most recent Orbic Quantum Quickstart cohort. Each year, the free program brings ninth- and tenth-graders from high schools across the state to the regional hub of quantum education and research, the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering.
During their weeklong stay, Quickstart students attend special lectures by PME faculty and explore this fascinating research area. The conversations have ranged from the theoretical mechanics of quantum physics to looking under the hoods of quantum computers during lab tours."
"The University of Illinois Springfield School of Education is partnering with Springfield Schools District 186 to establish the UIS Restorative Schools Network. This initiative will involve nine schools, focusing on improving school environments through restorative practices, which emphasize building relationships and resolving conflicts within the school community.
Restorative practices emphasize shifting from “power over” leadership models to a collaborative “working with” approach, combining high expectations with necessary support. Restorative practices ensure a fair process, allowing everyone the chance to speak and listen, fostering empathy and understanding.
“We are thrilled to partner with UIS to bring a renewed focus on the use of restorative practices in our schools as we support students in their growth both academically and emotionally,” said Jennifer Gill, superintendent of Springfield Schools District 186. “We are committed to improving our practices and our school climates, and we look forward to being able to model restorative practices for the UIS rising educators in the School of Education.”"
Upcoming Events
Wed. Sept. 4 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Online
"Calling all K-12 computer science and STEM educators! Join your peers from across the state each month for an informative, engagement-rich networking meeting centered on topics that matter most to you.
Hosted by CS & STEM Program Director Sarah Phelps, each month’s networking meeting is a place where participants can:
– Learn about new resources
– Ask questions
– Share experiences
– Expand their CS and STEM professional network
Teachers, administrators, and curriculum stakeholders are invited to attend, as well CS & STEM educators of all experience levels and at all grade levels. Whether you’re just starting out or interested in taking your district’s CS & STEM program to the next level, this networking group will help you achieve your goals!"
Sat. Sept. 7 | 8:30 am - 12:30 pm | Zoom
“This engaging event offers live sessions and exclusive on-demand content, providing flexible learning opportunities for all participants. View our schedule HERE! Illinois educators can earn PDHs from this event.”
Mon. Sept. 9 | 9:00 am - 2:30 pm | Heartland Community College
Launching STEM Success: Integrating Immersive Experiences into your Curriculum
"Countdown to immersive STEM learning in 3…2…1…liftoff!
Join us to discover how immersive experiences can help your students apply critical STEM skills in a whole new way. During this workshop, we’ll focus on a specific immersive experience where students take on roles of a NASA crew and complete a simulated training mission. In their roles, each student complete unique tasks and experiments to teach critical STEM skills from math to biology.
Once we’ve completed the experience as a group, we’ll discuss how your students can compete in our 2025 KidWind challenge with free supplies, travel, and substitute teacher reimbursement for your district. Along the way, we’ll also introduce how NGSS-aligned programs can seamlessly fit into your teaching schedule and help students gain STEM confidence.
All materials for educators attending this workshop will be provided."
Wed. Sep. 11 | 8:30 am – 10 am | Online
"Looking to connect with fellow library media specialists and grow your professional learning network?
Join the LTC’s Holly Kelly for a monthly virtual networking meeting explicitly geared to the needs of today’s library media specialists. These meetings will allow attendees to connect and discuss shared experiences, ask questions, and share ideas with other library media specialists from around the state. This will be an excellent opportunity to grow professionally while collaborating with your peers to solve today’s most pressing library media challenges."
"On average, young adults today spend nearly 10 hours a day consuming media, including at school and in their free time. Within that timeframe, they can be exposed to thousands of media messages – some of which require extra effort to analyze and contextualize.
Do these young adults fully understand what they are seeing on a daily basis? Can they distinguish between real or altered content? Now more than ever, digital literacy — the ability to use information and communication technology to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information — is a critical skill that needs attention if students are going to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
Join education stakeholders from around Illinois for the conference centered on digital literacy, with presenters offering their views on how to best integrate these cognitive and technical skills into instruction across subject areas and grade levels. With this knowledge, educators will be better able to guide their students toward becoming productive, ethical, and empathetic digital citizens – both as consumers and as creators."
Sat. Sep. 14 | 9:30 am | Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center
"Head out to the park with the kids and join park naturalists for a 45 minute program about endangered species in Illinois and the simple things we can do as individuals and families to help the park, wildlife, and habitat. Storybook reading, craft time, and an activity are included in this free program suitable for children ages 3 to 10 years old with an accompanying adult chaperone. Please register by emailing lisa.sons@illinois.gov. "
Wed. Sep.18 | 8:30 am - 11 am | Regional Office of Education 30 Administrative Center, Murphysboro
AI in Education: From Fear to Fascination (Pt 1)
“Artificial intelligence is here, and unlike what you’ve seen in the movies, AI isn’t coming to destroy humans – it’s coming to disrupt our classrooms. Should educators be afraid, excited, or both? Can educators embrace AI’s potential while ensuring their students still learn the value of creating original work?
Join us as we cut through the AI buzz and examine the implications of artificial intelligence in an educational setting. We’ll start by outlining AI fundamentals before exploring the benefits and challenges AI presents in both teaching and learning. Along the way, we’ll also address many educator’s top concerns regarding AI, including plagiarism, bias, and over reliance.
By the end, educators will possess a practical understanding of core AI concepts, empowering them to make informed decisions about its integration into their practice. Whether you’re an AI novice or simply seeking clarity, this workshop will provide a solid foundation for embracing AI’s potential in your classroom.
This workshop is part one of two-part on AI in education.”
Wed. Sep 25 - Sat. Sep 28 | McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago
"Join the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics for the 2024 Annual Meeting & Exposition in Chicago, September 25–28.
This year's theme, The Math of Their Dreams: Illuminating Students’ Brilliance, captures our intent to center students and their experiences, while also being evocative—what does “the math of their dreams” bring to mind for you?
Throughout the program, you will be encouraged to explore the meaning of the theme and what you value most in mathematics.
Our goal is for you to walk away with exciting new skills and techniques to illuminate your own brilliance and the brilliance of your students!"
Sat. Sep 28 | 9 am - 3 pm | Dana-Thomas House, Springfield
"Wildlife is all around us, in large urban areas or small towns! Educators of grades prekindergarten through four are invited to participate as we learn where to look for urban wildlife, what you can expect to find, how to identify species, and how to improve urban wildlife habitat at your school. Natural resources professionals and educators will instruct about these topics and more, including how species adapt to the urban environment, how humans affect urban wildlife, and how to use urban wildlife topics as the foundation for locally relevant, place-based teaching. Receive supplemental educational materials to enhance your teaching."
Sat. Sep. 28 | 10 am – 3 pm | Northern Illinois University
"STEM Fest is a celebration of all things science, technology, engineering and math. This free event is held each year in the fall on the campus of Northern Illinois University and features more than 100 exhibits, speakers, and demonstrations designed to inspire and engage guests of all ages with opportunities for STEM learning. It is one of the largest free family events in northern Illinois."
Tue. Oct. 1 – Wed. Oct. 2 | Peoria Civic Center
"Join the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council and Junior Achievement of Central Illinois for GP CareerSpark a series of interactive work and career readiness experiences for 8th-12th grade students in our region. Spark your students’ interest in the exciting careers available in Greater Peoria through the JA Inspire curriculum and hands-on learning activities.
In the fall (October 1-2, 2024), 8th-grade students will gather at the Peoria Civic Center to interact with local professionals. Students act out careers through hands-on activities to visualize their future and lay the foundation for high school studies, preparing them for a career path.
In the spring, High School students explore local employers through an online interactive expo and gain valuable skills for landing the right job for them.
Both experiences are supplemented with the JA Inspire curriculum and resources showcasing our region’s most critical industry clusters and employers, including manufacturing, healthcare, innovation and technology, business and finance, and more."
Sun. Oct. 6 | 10 am – 4 pm | College of Veterinary Medicine
"Thousands of people attend Open House, which has informative booths and exhibits throughout the veterinary campus, including in the Large Animal Clinic, the Basic Sciences Building, and the Clinical Skills Learning Center. Most booths are open throughout the day, from 10 am to 4 pm. Please check the program at the Welcome Booth when you arrive.
Download the program, with demo times and map, for Open House 2023.
Parking is free, and there are refreshments and meals available for purchase, as are veterinary-themed shirts and other apparel."
Wed. Nov. 13 - Fri. Nov. 15 | 8 am – 5 pm | Bank of Springfield Center, Springfield
"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.
With over 700 attendees, 120 sessions and workshops, and 70 vendors, IETC offers unique and intimate learning opportunities for everyone in edtech."
Mon. Feb. 17 - Wed. Feb 19, 2025 | Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel
"IDEAcon isn't just a conference; IDEAcon is an experience.
For three days, educators become immersed in a community of leaders and learners. Attendees enjoy a welcoming environment as they create their own journey full of breakout sessions, exhibit hall demos, hands-on activities, thought leader talks, networking opportunities and more. Go at your own pace, take the time to discover, and relish the opportunity to learn, share, and play. IDEAcon is where you'll find your next learning adventure. "
Educator's Corner
STEAM resources for in-person, hybrid, remote learning, and professional development
University of Chicago Canon Lab | Quantum Information Science Mini-Themed Mini-Games “Quander”
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering | The University of Chicago | Teaching quantum concepts through play
- Learning Technology Center | Instructional Technology Coaching to Enhance Professional Practice
- Resilient Educator | STEAM Teaching Resources for Educators
- Smithsonian Institution | Sidedoor: A Podcast from the Smithsonian
- NASA | STEM Content
- NEA | Resource Library
STEAM Resources Spotlight
"Experience the wonders of the aquatic animal world from home! Discover our free digital resources in one place, from activities and videos, to engaging stories. Feel like you are a part of the aquatic animal world, wherever you are in the world!"
"The Illinois Big Tree Register (IBTR) was established in 1962 as a citizen outreach program in order to discover, record, recognize, and appreciate the largest native tree species here in the Prairie State. For 60 years, the IBTR has spawned a generation of Big Tree hunters and aficionados who relish the opportunity and bask in the glory of finding and nominating the next Illinois champion tree!"
"With a new school year on the horizon, NASA is introducing a platform to connect communities with agency experts to share their experiences working on agency missions and programs for the benefit of humanity.
Continuing a long-standing tradition of connecting the public with science, technology, engineering, and math, NASA Engages augments the agency’s speaker’s bureau program to inspire the Artemis Generation. The platform includes a database of agency employees of various expertise, skillsets, and backgrounds."
"We know educators often plan weeks or even months in advance for hands-on STEM experiments and activities. To make it easier to keep the big picture of the next few months (or the semester) in mind, we've created this STEM Calendar to highlight science and engineering tie-ins for thematic and seasonal content.
We highlight science and engineering activities and resources, special events, and pop culture and holiday tie-ins individually throughout the year, but we hope this centralized STEM Calendar makes it easier to find the resources you need to create exciting STEM learning opportunities for your students."
"What are the National Arts Standards?
A process that guides educators in providing a unified quality arts education for students in Pre-K through high school."
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.
"An interdisciplinary research project has led to new ways of making music and of approaching engineering design through interactions with Indigenous communities in Bolivia and Sierra Leone.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign music professor and professional French horn player Bernhard Scully and engineer and Carle Illinois College of Medicine teaching professor of biomedical and translational sciences Ann-Perry Witmer led a project to explore place-based music and technological practices of rural and Indigenous communities that have been disregarded by Western academic institutions.
Scully and Witmer were brought together by Jess Mingee, an engineering graduate student advised by Witmer who plays French horn and studies with Scully. Mingee noticed the similarities in pedagogical approach in Scully’s classes, where he encourages improvisation and exploring a broad range of musical styles, and Witmer’s contextual engineering methodology, which emphasizes tailoring engineering design to the needs and conditions of the people and places it will serve. An improvisatory way of thinking and an ability to adapt is essential in collaborating with people with different perspectives and ways of working, the three researchers said.
They visited Bolivia and Sierra Leone in 2022 as part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences’ Global Academy, which provides funding for global engagement projects and collaborations. They recently published a series of essays reflecting on their research trips, “Consilience: Learning About Ourselves by Applying Indigenous Traditions to Western Music and Technology.
The goal of the project was to learn how the disciplines of classical music and engineering design are limited by a lack of understanding of the intellectual and artistic resources of nonindustrialized places and how they can expand to incorporate such place-based knowledge."
Please submit STEAM ideas, comments, or questions using our contact us form.
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