State of Illinois
03/04/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/04/2026 16:48
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 63
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 63
STEAM Newsletter - Wednesday, March 4, 2026
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Marching towards Women's History Month - March!
March is Women's History Month- a time to celebrate the contributions of women in science, technology, engineering and math; and intentionally create space for the next generation of innovators to rise.
March is a great time to explore activities that focus on sharing engaging ideas that empower girls to explore, experiment, and envision themselves in STEM careers. The Illinois State Museum and women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are hosting a free Women's History Month celebration on Saturday, March 29, 2026. The Chicago Women in STEM Initiative will celebrate "International Women's Day Symposium." Explore National Women's History Alliance's resources at Women's History Theme to take inspiration on how to celebrate Women's History Month in various ways. For additional resources check out National Women's History Museum's Digital Classroom Resources.
March 27 is National AI Literacy Day. Celebrate National AI Literacy Day with Learning Blade! This is a great opportunity to introduce students to artificial intelligence and its impact on our world. Learning Blade's "Intro to AI" course makes AI accessible and engaging. Inspire students with hands-on lessons that build curiosity and interest in AI-driven careers.
Another resource to celebrate National AI Literacy Day is a workshop hosted by the Discovery Partners Institute from 9am - 1pm on Friday, March 27. "In this workshop, participants will learn the basic concepts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) - including what it is, how it works, and how it is applied in various fields, discover its impact on society, ethical implications, and how to critically evaluate AI usage. Applicants must be a current high school student."
We are thrilled to announce our third annual CareerSpark STEAM Expo in April. CareerSpark is a hands-on, interactive work and career readiness experience designed to spark students' interest in the exciting careers in the STEAM fields. The Science, Engineering, Technology, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) event is tailored for 8th-grade students. Register and join us for the fun!
Let off some STEAM with these fun activities!
Grade K - 4
Grade 9 - 12
Recent News on STEAM
Drone-Delivered Network Connection | Illinois Institute of Technology
"As more devices are designed to connect to the internet, from phones and watches to doorbells and thermostats, network service providers must figure out how to handle the bandwidth of an exponentially growing number of devices. One possible solution is to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) as base stations that can be easily deployed to a roof or lamppost to flexibly and dynamically change the network bandwidth nearby."
"Franciscan friar and recent UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) graduate Jimmy Kernan was working in San Francisco's low-income Tenderloin district when a conversation changed his life."
Dark Energy Survey scientists release new analysis of how the universe expands | Fermilab
"The Dark Energy Survey (DES) collaboration is releasing results that, for the first time, combine all six years of data from weak lensing and galaxy clustering probes. In the paper, which represents a summary of 18 supporting papers, they also present their first results found by combining all four probes - baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO), type-Ia supernovae, galaxy clusters, and weak gravitational lensing - as proposed at the inception of DES 25 years ago."
Upcoming Events
2026 Symposium | Chicago Women in STEM Initiative
Fri. Mar 6 | 2 - 7 pm | Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine SQBRC Potocsnak Family Atrium, Chicago | Register
"Although women make up nearly half the United States' workforce, they remain under-represented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, particularly at advanced career stages and in leadership. Recent data shows that women earn 53% of STEM-related Bachelor's degrees and 58% of all Bachelor's degrees; however, they make up only 28% of the STEM workforce."
ideaU March 2026 | SEL & Well-being | IDEA
Sun. Mar 1 - Tue. Mar 31 | 9 am - 11 pm | Register
"We believe professional learning should be responsive, inclusive, and available when you need it most. That's why we've reimagined ideaU as a monthly series of on-demand videos, each centered around a timely theme that speaks to the heart of today's educational landscape."
Mon. Mar 9 | 9 am - 2 pm | Register
"Whether you're a veteran coach looking for fresh ideas, a new coach ready to jump into the job, a school leader supporting coaching programs, or a teacher who coaches others without the title, this Summit is for you!"
Geography & Mapping Technology: Connecting Curriculum and Careers Across All Subjects
Wed. Mar 11 | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | SIUE in Edwardsville | Register
"5-12th grade educators will explore how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) support spatial literacy, critical thinking, and real-world problem solving. After highlighting GIS career pathways, Dr. Shannon McCarragher will guide you through activities in ArcGIS Online and other free mapping software."
Thu. Mar 12 | 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm | Online | Register
"Coding isn't just for computer science. Across the entire curriculum core, coding can unlock critical-thinking and creativity.
Code.org's CS Connections curriculum is your ticket to coding in the content areas. This professional learning session will equip educators with practical strategies to integrate this curriculum's cross-curricular, standards-based projects into core subjects (science, math, ELA, and social studies)."
CS & STEM Networking Meeting | Learning Technology Center
Mon. Mar 16 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Online | Register
"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"
ENTICE Education Workshops: Wild Illinois History | IDNR
Sat. Mar 21 | 9 am - 3 pm | Fort Massac, Metropolis | Register
"Explore early French Fur Trapping History in Illinois. This interdisciplinary teaching unit focuses on early exploration and settlement, the riparian and geography of early Illinois, and compares trapping from the past to the present. Both Illinois science and social studies standards are covered."
Take Coding to the Sky with Drones! | Learning Technology Center
Tue. Mar 24 | 9 am - 3 pm | U of I Extension Office, Carmi IL | Register
"As drones continue to grow in both popularity and functionality, businesses are rapidly expanding their uses of unmanned aerial vehicles. At the same time, many schools are looking for fresh ways to teach students about coding and spark an interest in STEM learning."
Getting Started with AI: Special Education Edition | Learning Technology Center
Wed. Mar 25 | 9 am - 12 pm | ROE 30: Administrative Center, Murphysboro, IL | Register
"This introductory workshop is designed to empower special education teachers with the essential skills to address their unique classroom challenges and reduce workload. We will focus on building proficiency in AI tools and effective prompting."
Burn N Learn: Firefighting & STEM (5th-12th grade)
Wed. Mar 25 | 9 am - 3 pm | Lewis & Clark - Bethalto Education Center, 1136 East Airline Drive, East Alton, IL | Register
"FREE PD for any ROE40 educator! (Open to others at a future date. Contact [email protected])
This hands-on experience connects real-world fire behavior with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics-helping educators see science in action while reinforcing the importance of fire safety.
Click HERE for flyer!"
Discover Computing IGNITE Application | DPI
Fri. Mar 27 | 9 am - 1 pm | Discovery Partners Institute - 200 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL
"Join Discovery Partners Institute for a nationwide day of action focused on exploring this question as well as how to combine advanced generative AI tools with "old school" workflow.
The application deadline is Friday, March 20 at 11:59 PM - this application will close once the program is has reached capacity."
ISM Women in STEM | Illinois State Museum
Sat. Mar 29 | 10 am - 2 pm | 502 S. Spring Street, Springfield, IL
"Celebrate Women's History Month at the ISM with amazing experts in science, technology, engineering, and math. Learn about water quality with a field biologist. Ask questions of a geologist while examining fossils and minerals. Try your hand at programming, learn how to tie a fisherman's knot, and so much more."
9th Annual Central Illinois STEM Fair
Wed. Apr 8 | 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm | Rochester High School Athletic Complex | Register
"Area educators are invited to showcase their STEM programs and inspire the next generation by signing up to exhibit at the 9th Annual Central Illinois STEM Fair on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Rochester High School Athletic Complex."
Tue. Apr 14 & Wed. Apr 15, 2026 | 9:15 am - 1:45 pm | Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield
"CareerSpark is a hands-on, interactive work and career readiness experience designed to spark students' interest in the exciting careers in the STEAM fields. The Science, Engineering, Technology, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) event is tailored for 8th-grade students. Registration is required. For additional information regarding attending or exhibiting at the event, please contact: [email protected]."
Educator's Corner
STEAM resources for in-person, hybrid, remote learning, and professional development
- NWHA Women's History Magazines & Gazettes | National Women's History Alliance
- NWHA Guide
- Digital Classroom Resources | National Women's History Museum
- Education and Public Engagement | Fermilab
- National AI Literacy Day | Learning Blade
- EUREKUS | STEAM & Maker Discovery
- QuanTime | Chicago Quantum Exchange
STEAM Resources
STEAM Chicago | Pathway To Adventure Council
"Since 2015, the STEAM in Scouting program in Chicago has connected middle school students with hands-on opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math-all through the lens of workforce development. As part of the Exploring program, participants are registered as Explorers and engage in real-world learning experiences designed to spark curiosity and build future-ready skills."
"STEAM & Dream Liberation Labs is a Chicago-based nonprofit transforming STEM access for youth by blending hands-on learning, imagination, joy, and near-peer mentorship. Founded in 2024, we partner with schools and youth organizations across Chicago and beyond to offer 5 dynamic, culturally affirming STEM programs during the school day and after school for grades 2-12."
STEM Equity - Technical Assistance Package | IDRA
"Educators across the country know the urgency of increasing STEM participation and performance by race and gender.
This need is reflected by a dismal STEM pipeline that traces back to states' uneven investment in high-quality STEM programs that effectively prepare girls and students of color with high-quality math and science.
In this IDRA STEM Equity - Online Technical Assistance Package, we show how schools and communities can open pathways for girls and students of color in the curricular pipeline to prepare them for STEM careers."
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.
"Architecture professors at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are working to create new tools to make the study of architecture accessible to blind and low-vision students.
Architecture professors John Clark and Hugh Swiatek teach design studio classes. Their inspiration for transforming the educational experience for blind and low-vision students comes from their work with Daniel Bein, a sophomore architecture student from Fisher, Ill., who is legally blind.
The professors said there are only a few blind or low-vision students in any architecture schools, so their work is novel territory.
"Part of the reason why we don't get more blind and low-vision students is because the curriculum and software are inaccessible," Swiatek said. "There are some career paths where you can't be blind. I don't think that's true of architecture.
"Architecture is an oculo-centric. We try to talk about other sensory conditions, but we privilege the visual in architecture education. In making architecture education accessible to someone who is blind or low vision, we're thinking about how to rebalance that," he said."
Please submit STEAM ideas, comments, or questions using our contact us form.
State of Illinois published this content on March 04, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 04, 2026 at 22:49 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]