State of Illinois
02/01/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/02/2026 13:16
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 62
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 62
STEAM Newsletter - Sunday, February 1, 2026
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Fantastic February!
Innovation, education, and impact take center stage this month as February bring exciting opportunities across Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM). We're looking forward to National Engineers Week (EWeek), held from February 22-28, 2026. The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Chicago Professionals will host a youth-focused Engineers Week Expo on February 28, 2026, designed to inspire students through hands-on learning, career exposure, and mentorship.
The Society of Women Engineers are hosting Introducing a Girl to Engineering Day on February 28th at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. A day dedicated to that will offers student meaningful exposure to engineering pathways and real-world applications of STEAM. Through interactive activities and engagement with professionals, the even encourages young learners to see themselves as future problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders in technical fields.
Educators will also find inspiration this month as the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance celebrates its 40th anniversary IDEACon 2026. The conference will be held February 9-11 in Schaumburg, Illinois, featuring three days of engagement with thought leaders and regional speakers focusing on current education topics and innovation practices. Our Illinois Century Network partners will also be present at Booth #706, continuing their commitment to supporting digital learning and educator collaboration across the state.
Let off some STEAM with these fun activities!
Recent News on STEAM
"A new report found that high school students in rural or town districts and districts with a high proportion of low-income students were the least likely to have computer science education opportunities. These districts were also the least likely to employ CS-endorsed teachers."
"What if we could precisely measure a cell at its most fundamental level?
In this episode, we talk with the University of Chicago scientist Peter Maurer, who along with colleagues at UChicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, made the breakthrough discovery of turning a protein found in living cells into a first-of-its-kind biological quantum bit-also known as a qubit."
"A groundbreaking experiment at the U.S. Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, which will probe a narrow, previously unexplored region of mass where some scientists believe dark matter lurks, is one step closer to taking experimental data."
Upcoming Events
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."
Unlocking the Science Behind Olympic Glory
Wed. Feb 4 | 6:30 pm | NIU STEAM Cafes | Fatty's Pub and Grille | Register
"Join us for an electrifying STEAM Café as we dissect the physics of the Olympic Games. We'll take you beyond the podium and into the world of kinematics and aerodynamics. It's a front-row seat to understand how athletes manipulate the laws of physics to achieve the seemingly impossible."
Workshops on STEAM center design | Kidzeum
Feb. 5 | 3 - 4:30 pm and Feb. 12 | 7 to 8:30 pm
"Kidzeum of Health and Science is seeking community input as it develops a "cutting-edge" STEAM Center and learning network to boost learning among central Illinois students.
The center, which is being funded by a $149,952 Advancing Informal STEM Learning program grant from the National Science Foundation, is expected to "position Kidzeum as a learning hub where children and families engage with hands-on science and technology activities in ways that are meaningful and relevant to them," according to the Springfield museum."
ENTICE Education Workshops: Winter Animals | IDNR
Sat. Feb 7 | 9 am - 3 pm | Giant City State Park, Makanda | 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? Have you thought about where the animals go in winter and how they survive the cold? Explore the amazing ways that animals survive in winter, what adaptations they have, and where they are hiding."
Sun. Feb 8 | 3 pm - 5 pm | Online | Register
"How can the experience of writing can help you deepen your practice? Free Write is an opportunity for educators to engage in a creative space to connect, generate ideas, and share inspiration within a community of colleagues. Whether you already enjoy writing or have a rocky relationship with writing, you are invited to join us for one, some, or all of the Free Write sessions!"
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."
Thu. Feb 19 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Online | Register
"Curious about AI but not sure how it fits into your school? You're not alone. This beginner-friendly session is for anyone in a school setting (teachers, administrators, and students) who want a clear, practical entry point to understanding AI and its potential application in teaching and learning."
ENTICE Education Workshops: Deer Diaries: Exploring White-Tailed Deer | IDNR
Sat. Feb 21 | 9am - 3pm | Pickerill-Pigott Forest Preserve, Yorkville | Register
"The largest herbivore in Illinois is the White-tailed deer. Explore the life history and the challenges faced by this ungulate, hoofed mammal in Illinois. Join us as we explore the Chronic Wasting Disease curriculum, Prying into Prions: Investigating Chronic Wasting Disease. This educational unit for high school students can assist in studying prion diseases, including chronic wasting disease."
Engineers Week Expo 2026 | National Society of Black Engineers Chicago
Sat. Feb 28 | 8 am - 3 pm | Lindblom High School Chicago, IL
"Join the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) - Chicago Professionals Chapter for our National Engineers Week Expo! A fun, hands-on STEM experience designed to inspire the next generation of engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers! We have a full agenda from 8 am - 3:00 pm with interactive and exciting engineering and science activities for Kindergarten - 12th grade students, parents, engineers, and STEM supporters."
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day 2026 | SWE @ SIU
Sat. Feb 28 | 8:30 am - 3:15 pm | SIUE Engineering Building | Register by Feb. 6
"Are you a creative student who wants to make a difference in the world someday? Want to find out if engineering is the route for you? SIUE Society of Women Engineers presents its annual event to show young students that engineering is more than just being good at science and math. Join us for a day of hands-on activities, making new friends, and having fun with engineering!"
First Robotics Competition | Central Illinois Regional
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
STEAM Resources
K-12 STEM and History | Everfi
"Everfi's STEM courses are designed to empower students to thrive in the classroom and beyond by connecting new concepts to real-world challenges, tapping into students' interests, and leveraging their natural curiosity.
Additionally, Everfi has two history courses that bring Black history to life with immersive and engaging lessons. When you explore the journey of Black history, you find stories of strength, resilience, and achievement. In every community, these stories are foundational to building shared values, which inspire today's youth to become tomorrow's leaders."
Missions and Modules to Discover Students Career Interests | Learning Blade
"Celebrate National Engineering Week (Feb 22-28, 2026) by inspiring students to "Reimagine the Possible" with Learning Blade's engineering career exploration resources! A FREE resource for grades 6-8. Learning Blade offers educators a wide range of engaging missions and lessons, providing students with an exciting glimpse into the diverse opportunities in the world of engineering. Sign up for your free account today to explore: LearningBlade.com/States"
Mission & Program Overview | Homewood Science Center
"Homewood Science Center is a nonprofit community science center founded in 2016 to serve Chicago's culturally and economically diverse south suburbs. Our mission is to inspire scientific wonder, learning, and pursuit. We work with educators, STEM professionals, and partner organizations to increase STEM literacy and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM, so all area students can gain the skills and confidence they need to fully enjoy and contribute to the civic and commercial vibrancy of our region."
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.
Keeping Video Artworks Alive: 5 Must-Have Tools | The Art Institute of Chicago
"Bulky, heavy, and high-voltage, cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions once inhabited homes across the globe before being replaced by flat screens.
CRTs can still be found in art museums, however, where they are used to display video artwork. Since their introduction to the consumer market, artists working with video have embraced CRT monitors not only as display devices, but also as sculptural elements. A notable example of a CRT artwork is Diana Thater's The best animals are the flat animals (stacked monitor edition).
For this piece, Thater filmed zebras at an exotic animal farm and presented the footage on five CRT monitors stacked directly on the gallery floor. Here, the CRTs are more than just video displays-they are integral to the artwork's sculptural presence."
Please submit STEAM ideas, comments, or questions using our contact us form.
State of Illinois published this content on February 01, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 02, 2026 at 19:16 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]