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STEAM Newsletter – Thursday, October 1, 2026
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 70
Happy Cybersecurity Awareness Month!
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! At the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT), we’re encouraging everyone to dive into Cybersecurity Month with a reminder that being safe online is just as important as locking your front door.
During the Illinois State Fair, we hosted a day with a Cybersecurity Day. Participants had the opportunity to play the role of a cybersecurity expert to safeguard your digital identity and explore safe online navigation through interactive challenges.
Throughout this month, we encourage everyone to continue exploring how to stay safe in the digital world: KnowBe4 has activities from creating strong passwords to recognizing suspicious links. The Learning Blade offers missions like Hack Attack and additional modules like Introduction to Computer Careers for students learn and develop skills about Information Security career paths. Cybersecurity may sound serious, but with the right knowledge and a little effort even our youngest tech explorers can become cyber smart.
Let off some STEAM with these fun activities!
Grade 5 - 8
Recent News on STEAM
“Quantum computers have arisen as a possible solution for highly complex mathematical problems, offering “quantum advantage” over classical computers in certain cases. The Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) is a leading candidate for realizing this advantage, and some success has been achieved for small problems. But demonstrations on large problems have remained too computationally costly to run on classical computers and current quantum hardware.”
“The CCC program has been a core feature of UChicago PME since the school’s launch in 2019. It’s one of several programs that show the school’s commitment to the city of Chicago while helping broaden the pipeline of students into STEM careers.”
Driving Innovation in the EcoCAR EV Challenge | Illinois Institute of Technology
"Illinois Tech students spent the last four years re-engineering a stock 2023 Cadillac Lyric into an award-winning, next-generation electric vehicle as part of the EcoCAR EV Challenge.
More than 200 Illinois Tech students participated in the four-year challenge through the Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) Program or independent study. Working directly with engineers from General Motors, the students engineered advanced propulsion controls, connected and automated vehicle features, and vehicle-to-everything connectivity, all while improving energy efficiency and meeting real automotive industry standards."
“Researchers with the Center for High-Efficiency Electrical Technologies for Aircraft (CHEETA) have taken a step toward electric-powered commercial aviation, successfully demonstrating a cryogenic electric motor at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign’s POETS Research & Development Center (PRDC).”
Upcoming Events
Camp Vet Med | University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
Sun., Oct. 4 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | UIUC College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana, Ill.
“Join us for a day of discovery and animal-filled fun as the 2026 Open House at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine transforms into Camp Vet Med. Follow the trail to more than 40 booths and demonstrations staffed by current veterinary students and discover the animals, science, and people behind veterinary medicine. This free event happens Sunday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the state’s only veterinary college, with free parking at 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, Ill. Registration is not required.”
2026 Engineering Summit | University of Illinois Springfield
Mon., Oct. 5 | 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. | UIS Student Union Ballroom, Springfield, Ill.
“This event marks the launch of our new Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Technology, and it's really the starting point for a conversation we'd like to have with you directly. A few things that will be discussed in the room: How employers can plug into our four work-based learning pathways (campus studio, progressive placement, full immersion co-op, and engineering residency); Opportunities to shape curriculum and specializations through our Industry Advisory Board; Early co-op and internship placement for our first cohort. If you're able to attend, your perspective will directly influence how this program serves the regional workforce.”
I-WIN Roundtable Discussion: Middle School Career Exploration | Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University
Fri., Oct. 9 | Noon – 1 p.m. | Virtual
“Join this interactive roundtable to explore practical strategies for designing and strengthening meaningful career exploration experiences that engage students, families, educators, and community partners.”
Science Works | Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Sat., Oct. 10 | 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | 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.”
STEM Spark! Summit 2026 | IEEE Women in Engineering Chicago
Sat., Oct. 10 | 8:30 a.m. – Noon | John A. Walsh Elementary School, Chicago
“A FREE hands-on STEM morning for all students in grades 5–9, hosted by IEEE Women in Engineering Chicago. Workshops cover AI, space mapping, wireless energy and physics, led by Google and IEEE engineers — plus free snacks, swag bags and raffle prizes!”
Bird Biology Basics | Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Sat., Oct. 17 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Tawny Oaks Field Station, Edelstein, Ill.
“Gain an introduction to bird biology, identification, and conservation during this workshop. Join us for a hike to look for birds and signs of their presence around the field station. The workshop is for teachers of students in grades 5th to 8th but can be adapted for other grades. Supplemental classroom resources and materials will be provided.”
Southern Illinois University Technology & Innovation Expo | Southern Illinois University System
Wed., Oct. 21 | 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. | SIUE Health Sciences Complex, Edwardsville, Ill.
“The SIU System Technology Innovation Expo is an annual event that showcases some of these extraordinary individuals who are building and creating the future within their discipline. By bringing together the resources of its central and southern Illinois regional university campuses, the expo gives both industry partners and potential investors the opportunity to learn about the inventions and products of its top researchers.”
Regional Career Discovery Day | TREES & Joliet Junior College
Thurs., Nov. 5 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Joliet Junior College
“Calling All Volunteers and Career Professionals! Three Rivers Education for Employment System (TREES), in partnership with Joliet Junior College, is preparing to welcome nearly 2,800 sixth-grade students from Will and Grundy Counties for Career Discovery Day. This is a wonderful opportunity for employers, industry professionals, community partners, college students and retirees to inspire young people as they begin discovering their interests and future possibilities. Interested in participating? Please email holly.camerano_c@jjc.edu.”
Tech Pulse 2030 | Hosted by AI 2030
Wed., Nov. 11 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Chicago
“Tech Pulse 2030 is more than just an event. It’s a movement dedicated to showcasing the brightest minds and fostering deep engagement among leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. Together, we’ll explore the real-world impact of emerging technologies and chart a course for a future where responsible innovation drives progress for both businesses and society.”
IETC | Learning Technology Center
Wed., Nov. 11 - Fri. Nov. 13 | BOS Center, Springfield, Ill.
“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."
East Central Illinois CareerSpark | Junior Achievement
Dec. 9 -10 | Gordyville USA in Gifford, Ill.
“The inaugural East Central Illinois CareerSpark is an exciting career exploration experience for approximately 2,500 eighth-grade students from across the region. Designed to support career awareness and future planning, CareerSpark helps students connect classroom learning to real-world careers while introducing them to high-demand industries and career pathways.”
IDEAcon 2027 | Illinois Digital Educators Alliance
Jan. 19–20, 2027 | Tinley Park Convention Center, Tinley Park, Ill. | Registration Open
“Join us at the Tinley Park Convention Center for two days of learning, practical ideas, and meaningful connections. You’ll learn alongside innovative educators and engaging speakers, explore timely ideas and practical strategies, and design an experience that reflects your role, interests, and professional goals.”
Educator's Corner
STEAM resources for in-person, hybrid, remote learning, and professional development
- Illustrative Mathematics | K-12 Math | Resources for Teachers & Students
- Free Cybersecurity Tools | KnowBe4
- CS & STEM Networking Meeting - Learning Technology Center
- Grants & Awards Opportunities - Run Your PTA | National PTA
- Nature Museum | Parent & Caregiver Workshops
- Nourish the Future: A national education initiative developed by science teachers for science teach…
STEAM Resources
PACE Clouds Challenge - GLOBE.gov | GLOBE Program
“NASA scientists working on the PACE satellite mission are asking for your help to collect Clouds observations when the PACE satellite is passing over your location. PACE Atmosphere lead, Dr. Andy Sayer, is interested in comparing your ground-based observations of clouds to PACE data to get a sense of how well PACE measures cloud edges and total cloud cover. Dr. Sayer is specifically looking for GLOBE Clouds observations taken within a 5-minute window of PACE passing overhead during the PACE Clouds Challenge, which will run from through 1 November 2026.”
K-12 STEM Snack Boxes | Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
“The Snack Box Series is designed for teachers and families to provide STEM focused activities for students of all grade levels. These free, bite-size digital downloads provide resources and activities ideas for math and science based explorations.”
MATHCOUNTS MINIS | MATHCOUNTS Foundation
“Richard Rusczyk—the founder of Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) and a MATHCOUNTS alumnus—spent over a decade creating 100+ MATHCOUNTS Minis to support math team practices and club meetings! Minis are 35-60-minute lessons with videos and activity sheets that provide detailed explanations for MATHCOUNTS problems and their associated math concepts.”
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.
Pictured above: Liam Flood, Former Altgeld chimesplayer, was a chimesplayer on campus before he graduated in 2020. (Photo by Fred Zwicky.)
Image Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
To the rhyming and the chiming of the bells
Former Altgeld chimesplayer writes an extensive history of the building and its music
“When Liam Flood (BS, ’20, chemical and biomolecular engineering) first toured the University of Illinois as a high school student, he heard plenty of campus legends about Altgeld Hall... But one fact from that tour stayed with him because it was real: inside Altgeld Hall, there were bells. Better yet, students played them.”
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.