State of Illinois
06/01/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/01/2026 15:00
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 66
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 66
STEAM Newsletter - Monday, June 1, 2026
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June is here!
In the May 2026 DoIT STEAM Newsletter we shared opportunities for students and educators to participate in summer camps at the Illinois public universities across the state. In this volume we want to encourage educators as well as students to explore a variety of summer learning programs at community colleges throughout Illinois. While several colleges offer programs to build skills in sports, many programs expand interests in STEAM fields, encourage career exploration, and stimulate academic enrichment through Kids College. Many community colleges organize learning opportunities by grade level and topic. Explore variations of Kids College and camps through an assortment of resources.
Black Hawk College offers a variety of Youth Programs that include classes as well as summer camps. College of DuPage is hosting summer camp programs for children entering kindergarten through grade twelve. Danville Area Community College "College for Kids" returns in June. Explore "Kids' College" offered by Elgin Community College with a feature from ages 5-17-years-old. Harper College offers "InZone Summer Sports and Enrichment Camp 2026", from June 8-August 14.
Illinois Valley Community College offers a variety of "Ed'Venture" 2026 Youth Summer Camp Program" and they also offer "online LIVE STEAM Camps." John Wood Community College will share hands-on learning for students in grades K-12 in their "JDub Academy." Joliet Junior College offers "Kids College" for students to explore classes that focus on STEAM-based subjects. Kaskaskia College offers "Kids In College at Kaskaskia" for a variety of fun learning options. Join Lewis & Clark Community College for "College for Kids" and personal enrichment programs. Lincoln Land Community College is offering "College for Kids" and more than 100 camps for students of all ages.
McHenry County College offers a variety of hands-on classes for students of all ages. Oakton College will provide diverse academic "STEAM Youth Programs" for ages 8 to 14. Parkland College offers summer fun at "College for Kids" enrichment camp for kids. Explore the "Summer Speech Camp" at Prairie State College. "College for Kids" at Sauk Valley Community College is intended for students entering 3rd through 8th grades with programs form Pokémon Design to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Design. Shawnee Community College is offering a variety of classes, camps and events for students of all ages from 'First Responders" to "Drama"0 camp. Southwestern Illinois College Kids Summer Camp Program 2026 designed to provide students with "unique and enjoyable educational, cultural and recreational activities."
Let off some STEAM with these fun activities!
Grade K - 4
Grade 9 - 12
Recent News on STEAM
Fermilab teams up with NIU to launch quantum science program | Fermilab
"The U.S. Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Northern Illinois University, officially launching a collaborative, cutting-edge quantum science program for graduate students. The inaugural class will begin in the fall semester of 2026.
Through this partnership, the two institutions will launch a Master of Science in Physics program with a specialization in quantum science and technology."
"Throughout the 2025-26 school year, students from across disciplines partnered with YWCA McLean County to raise awareness of the issue while increasing respect for childcare providers.
"The childcare model is upside down, business-wise," said Liz German '06, CEO of YWCA McLean County. "We're sounding the alarm. If the couple of us that provide this service aren't in existence, what does that do to families, to the economy, to employers? It's been a building issue for a long time.""
"New multiplexed imaging technology using standard clinical MRI systems can simultaneously map more than 20 biomarkers in high resolution, providing a comprehensive view of the brain with a single scan.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign demonstrated the multiplexed MRI technology, or MRx, by characterizing brain tumors and multiple sclerosis lesions - revealing different structural, physiological and molecular changes associated with the diseases."
Upcoming Events
Art & Science in the Woods | Sun Foundation
Mon. Jun 8 - Fri. Jun 12 | Sun Foundation Art and Nature Center | Register
"Art and Science in the Woods is a week long day camp held at the Sun Foundation Art and Nature Center in the summer, where students as young as five learn from and are inspired by professional artists and scientists in nature's classroom."
Microsoft and AI | Learning Technology Center
Tue. Jun 9 | 9 am - 2 pm | Peoria CUSD 150 Administrative Office 3202 North Wisconsin, Peoria | Register
"As AI becomes more integrated into education, many roles evolve. Educators and administrators increasingly guide, evaluate, and refine AI supported processes-while continuing to apply professional expertise and judgment.
Learn how to use free Microsoft AI tools to make your life easier. We will also dive into Reading Progress and Coach."
Hands-On STEM at Work: Inside the Laborers' Construction Trades
Fri. June 12 | 9 am - 3 pm | SCI Center, 2001 Eilerman Ave, [MR2] Litchfield
"All teachers (math, CTE, science, etc.), counselors, and administrators are invited to take-part in this engaging learning opportunity! Attendees will experience how STEM-especially math as a foundational skill-shows up in construction through real, hands-on activities, not just discussion."
CS + AI PD Week | Learning Technology Center
Mon. Jun 15 - Thu. Jun 18 | Capital Area Career Center (Springfield, IL) | Apply
"Launch your CS Program
with four days of expert-led learning and organic networking
Join fellow K-12 CS educators for a 4-day learning experience centered on building prosperous computer science programs in every Illinois school district."
SummIT | Learning Technology Center
Tue. Jun 16 - Wed. Jun 17 | Register | Campus Instructional Facility (CIF)1405 W Springfield Ave, Urbana
"Are you a school technology coordinator or director looking to stay ahead of the curve and connect with colleagues? Look no further than SummIT!
This summertime conference will directly address the challenges and opportunities facing today's K-12 school technology personnel. With sessions covering a wide range of topics, from cybersecurity to incident response planning, physical security to network infrastructure and more, you'll gain valuable insights and practical strategies for tackling the toughest IT issues facing your school district."
Future-Proof Schools | Learning Technology Center
Tue. Jul 14 | 8 am - 3 pm | Register | East Moline SD 37 Administration Center | 3451 Morton Dr., East Moline
"The Future-Proof Schools Summit is a one-day professional learning experience designed to equip educators for a dynamic, digital world. Join us for an inspiring keynote, expert-led breakout sessions, and hands-on playground sessions exploring the essential technical skills, adaptive mindsets, and human connections that will help every learner thrive in the careers of tomorrow."
2026 Smithsonian National Education Summit | Smithsonian
Tue. Jul 14 - Thu. Jul 16 | Register
"The Smithsonian is hosting the sixth annual National Education Summit July 14-16. Taking place both virtually and in-person in Washington, D.C., this free event brings together leading education experts to explore instructional strategies and resources that empower educators and their learners."
Sensory Engineering in the Field | STEM Education Research Center | SIU
Jul 20 - Jul 24 | 8:30 am - 12:00 pm | Pulliam Hall, SIU Carbondale Campus | Register
"This July, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) is joining forces with SIU Carbondale to bring a high-tech, hands-on summer experience to Southern Illinois. Both organizations are devoted to enhancing the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) literacy of the general public as well as the development of future leaders in these fields."
Ignite Peoria 2026 | ArtsPartners | Peoria, IL
Sat. Aug 8
"Perfect for the whole family, Ignite Peoria showcases hundreds of local makers, musicians, artists, innovators, dancers, and actors, all in one STEAM inspired interactive FREE day of fun and learning!"
Educator's Corner
STEAM resources for in-person, hybrid, remote learning, and professional development
STEAM Resources
Next Generation Science Standards Model Lessons | IMSA
"IMSA's Center for Teaching and Learning provides NGSS-aligned professional development trainings and model lessons for educators and students. Customized learning experiences for your team, school, or district engage educators in constructing activities that support K-5 Next Generation Science Standards, identifying gaps in current science curricula, and creating lessons in collaboration with IMSA specialists and colleagues."
Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Education | Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
"It seems that every day, students and teachers wake up to discover the public release of new online tools with the power to transform teaching and learning. Because this disruption comes at unprecedented speed, the IMSA Statewide Education Innovation team created this page as an introduction for educators seeking more information. This page ends with links to even more information and will be updated as necessary to reflect the most common concerns."
Open Science Trainings | NASA Science
"We've had a blast designing programs for partners ranging from NASA to UCAR Center for Science Education. All free & public domain, enjoy our collection of stellar activities to delight learners of all ages ~ in-class, at-home & during community events."
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.
Image Source: The Flying Tea Ceremony Kettle (Tonda Chagama), c. 1770
Ippitsusai Buncho
Where Matcha and Temmoku Began | The Art Institute of Chicago
"The bowl sits on my kitchen shelf and has quietly entered my daily routine. Each morning, I scoop matcha powder into the bowl, add hot water, and whisk, watching green foam rise against the dark glaze in my hands. To me, matcha and temmoku are simply elements of contemporary life: studio ceramics, wellness culture, weekend rituals.
It was only when I began looking closely at objects in the Art Institute's collection that I realized something surprising: the seemingly simple powdered tea and black glaze carries a history around 1,000 years old.
Certain bowls made in Fujian province during the Song dynasty (960-1279) belong to a category now known as Jian ware. Jian refers to Jianzhou, the region where the kilns were located. At first glance, their surfaces appear restrained and understated, but the formation of these patterns is anything but simple."
Please submit STEAM ideas, comments, or questions using our contact us form.
State of Illinois published this content on June 01, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 01, 2026 at 21:00 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]