State of Illinois

11/01/2026 | Press release | Archived content

oct-2026

STEAM Newsletter Vol. 71

STEAM Newsletter - Sunday, November 1, 2026
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Innovate on Nov. 8, National STEM/STEAM Day!

Join the National STEM/STEAM Day celebration on Sunday, Nov. 8! National STEM/STEAM Day shines a spotlight on the educators, students, mentors, and innovators who are shaping the future of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. It's a perfect moment to introduce hands-on activities, showcase classroom projects, and spark conversations about how STEAM skills empower students to think critically and explore new possibilities. Whether through classroom challenges, community events, or student showcases, this day encourages learners of all ages to imagine, design, and innovate. National STEM Day 2026 | November 8 Activities & Ideas

Don't forget to mark your calendars to celebrate Computer Science Education Week, scheduled for December 7-13, 2026. This annual opportunity inspires students to learn about computer science and promotes equity in computer science education. Educators and families are encouraged to organize activities that recognize the importance of computer science and coding through resources like Computer Science for Illinois, LTC Resources - Learning Technology Center, Free K-12 Curriculum for Digital Fluency | CodeAI, and Home - CSTA Illinois.

Let off some STEAM with these fun activities!

Recent News on STEAM

New approach brings scientists one step closer to practical quantum computing | Argonne National Laboratory

"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."

Summer program helps City Colleges students turn curiosity into a career | PME | The University of Chicago

"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."

CHEETA tests fully cryogenic powertrain motor at POETS Research & Development Center | Electrical & Computer Engineering | Illinois

"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

Regional Career Discovery Day | TREES & Joliet Junior College

Nov. 5 | 9 am - 1 pm | 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 [email protected]."

Library Media Specialists Networking Meeting | Learning Technology Center

Nov. 10 | 9 am - 10 am

"Looking to connect with fellow library media specialists and grow your professional learning network? Join Neha Thakkar and Emily Flach 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."

Tech Pulse 2030 | Hosted by AI 2030

Nov. 5 | 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm | 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

Nov. 11 - Fri. Nov. 13 | BOS Center, Springfield, IL

"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."

AI, Education, and Work | Illinois Education and Career Success Network

Nov. 16 | 12 pm - 1pm | Online Webinar

"AI is already changing the jobs students are preparing for, and educators, families, and employers are working to understand what that means. Join the Success Network and Diffusion Venture Studio on November 16, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., for a practical look at how AI is reshaping work and careers. We'll cover which jobs are changing, where new pathways are emerging, and what it takes to prepare students for an AI-driven economy. We'll also explore what it will take to ensure every student has equitable access to AI's opportunities."

CS & STEM Networking Meeting | Learning Technology Center

Nov. 16 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

"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."

Build AI Routines You'll Actually Use Again | Learning Technology Center

Nov. 17 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

"AI can save you real time, but only if it actually fits into your day. Too often, educators try AI once, get a decent result, and then start from scratch the next time they need it. It's time to break that unproductive cycle. Join us as we build simple, repeatable AI routines you can use again and again, without reinventing the wheel every time."

Fostering Inclusive Collaboration in CS | Learning Technology Center

Nov. 19 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

"Computer science education is shifting away from isolated coding tasks toward building equity-centered team practices. In this interactive webinar, participants will explore Inclusive Collaboration-one of the four crosscutting practice categories in the new 2026 CSTA PK-12 Computer Science Standards."

Classroom-Ready Cyber Literacy Curriculum | Learning Technology Center

Nov 24. | 10 am - 11 am

"To support K-12 digital safety, this session highlights Fortinet's free security awareness curriculum, including ready-to-teach lesson plans, slides, and handouts. Educators will discover practical ways to integrate these materials to build skills around password hygiene, data privacy, and safe online habits."

Education for Employment System #330 and East Central Illinois CareerSpark | Junior Achievement

Dec. 9 -10 | Gifford, IL

"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, IL | 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."

STEAM Resources

Fall in Love With Seasonal Modeling Dough Ideas | National Inventors Hall of Fame

"This autumn, make learning through play a priority when you and your child experiment with the hands-on science of making your very own festive modeling dough. Sweet scents, custom colors and spicy mix-ins take a standard dough to the next level."

Artifact | NASA

"NASA's Artifact Program offers your organization the opportunity to enhance STEM education and spark curiosity in future innovators by bringing authentic space artifacts into your classroom or exhibit. Enrich your curriculum with various historical items from NASA's collection, from spacecraft models and mission equipment to astronaut gear and engineering instruments. Request Deadline: Nov. 6."

Free STEM Lesson Plans for K-12 Teachers | ORISE

"Are you ready to ignite a passion for STEM in your students and equip them with the skills they need for the future. Check out our extensive library of free PDF lesson plans, STEM resources, and engaging classroom activities designed specifically for K-12 educators. Whether you're introducing elementary students to the wonders of science or challenging high schoolers with advanced engineering concepts, our resources are tailored to help your students thrive in STEM education."

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: Illinois State Board of Education and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum Art Contest

Image Source: Illinois State Board of Education

"My Community, My Story"

"ISBE and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum invite Illinois K-12 students to participate in the annual student art contest, "My Community, My Story." Students are encouraged to create original artwork that reflects how their community - whether their hometown, school, team, or another group - shapes their lives and how they contribute to the world around them. Entries are due Dec. 18, 2026. For contest details and submission information, visit the art contest webpage or contact [email protected]."

Please submit STEAM ideas, comments, or questions using our contact us form.

State of Illinois published this content on November 01, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 04, 2026 at 21:03 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]