State of Illinois
07/01/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/01/2026 13:49
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 67
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 67
STEAM Newsletter - Wednesday, July 1, 2026
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Happy Birthday DoIT and America!
Happy 8th Birthday to Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT)! This month marks the anniversary of the agency and the launch of the STEAM Initiative. Curated with a mission to make STEAM resources more accessible and inclusive by amplifying the voices of educators, universities, youth organizations and curious minds across the state through events and this newsletter.
Happy 250th Birthday America! As we celebrate 250 years of innovation, discovery, and creativity, it's a great opportunity to reflect on how science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics have transformed our nation and the modern world. From the Apollo 11's first steps on the Moon in July 1969 to the historic arrival of NASAs Mars Pathfinder in July 1997, July has repeatedly marked moments that expand human knowledge and inspire generations of innovators.
In honor of Fourth of July, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will host "the largest synchronized Fourth of July celebration in U.S. history" in the Capitol's Union Square Park with patriotic concert performances from Chicago's premier symphonic brass ensemble and a re-created Civil War band. Celebrations will also take place at Chicago's Navy Pier with the award-winning fireworks show that'll commemorate the 250th anniversary of America.
This month, we celebrate the spirit of curiosity, innovation, and creativity that continues to shape the future we want. Explore a guided tour of the Illinois State Museum's special America 250 exhibits and discover fascinating aspects of Illinois history and culture, including Indigenous experiences, Route 66, resilient animal species, and the stories of everyday Illinoisans. Join the Homewood Science Center for its STEM Saturday series this month where families of young learners explore STEM through hands-on activities, exhibits, creative play, and special presentations. Happy Birthday, DoIT and cheers to the vibrant community it has cultivated through STEAM!
Let off some STEAM with these fun activities!
Grade K - 4
Grade 5 - 8
Recent News on STEAM
NASA Uses Machine Learning to Enhance Flash Flood Warnings | NASA Science
"Created with support from NASA's Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO), TACLS leverages machine learning to automatically locate evidence (unusual increases in atmospheric moisture) of impending flash flooding that meteorologists may otherwise miss as they analyze large amounts of data."
"Building useful quantum technologies-from sensors to computers-requires generating highly complex entangled states, in which the properties of particles are deeply intertwined. Producing such states has traditionally required complex tools and carefully engineered setups with many parts. "
"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
July 4th | 3:00 pm - 7:30 pm
"The day begins with FREE admission to the museum at 9:00 a.m., where you'll be able to fully explore the life and legacy of our 16th president - including our new exhibit, "The Second American Revolution," that reveals how the American Civil War and the era of Reconstruction transformed the United States, ending slavery, redefining citizenship, and expanding the promise of freedom and equality."
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."
IDEA Kishwaukee Chapter | SLEdCon 2026
Thu. Jul 30 | 9:00 am - 3:30 pm | Register | Rockford, IL
"Join the IDEA Kishwaukee Chapter on July 30 for SLEdCon 2026. This full-day education conference will consist of 45 minute instructional breakout sessions in the morning, followed by collaborative Edcamp-style sessions in the afternoon where attendees take the lead to share best practices, ideas, and resources."
Collaborate, Code, Create: CS & AI Learning with LEGO Education | Learning Technology Center
Tue. Aug 4 | 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
"Join us for an interactive session focused on LEGO Education Learning System, including how it can be used to bring STEM learning to life in your classroom. Through this system, students learn to work collaboratively and solve problems creatively - all while "playing" with a familiar set of tools that are easy to manage. We will learn with the CS & AI LEGO Education kits!"
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!"
Engagement Opening: Virtual Event: NASA's CTE Day at Armstrong Flight Research Center
Wed. Aug 19 | 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. PT/12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. ET
"Virtual Event: NASA's Career Technical Education Day at Armstrong Flight Research Center
NASA invites students to explore exciting career pathways in engineering technology and the technical workforce! This immersive event is designed to inspire the next generation of innovators, makers, and problem-solvers through hands-on experiences and real-world applications."
Monarch Butterfly Festival | Illinois State Museum
Sat. Sep 12 | 2 pm to 8 pm | 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, IL
"Join the Illinois State Museum, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Monarch Project, and a host of community partners as we celebrate Illinois' state insect, and everyone's favorite garden visitor, the Monarch Butterfly! Enjoy FREE games, activities, giveaways, and more at this community event - rain or shine!"
Educator's Corner
STEAM resources for in-person, hybrid, remote learning, and professional development
STEAM Resources
In-Flight STEM Downlinks | NASA
"Connect students with astronauts aboard the space station for a live question-and-answer session about living and working in space."
Summer Camps | Kidzeum of Health and Science Summer Camps
"Looking for a summer full of fun and learning? Look no further! At our full-day camp, your child will dive into the exciting world of STEM/STEAM through hands-on exploration and play! Our certified STEAM educators are ready to ignite your child's curiosity and keep their minds and bodies active all summer long. If your child has completed Grade K-3, we'd love to have them join us!Click on each title to register your child for summer camp."
Empower Students with Real-World CTE Learning with Learning Blade!
"Bring Career and Technical Education to life with Learning Blade, an interactive platform offering 14 standards-aligned missions that connect directly to national Career Clusters.
Featured Pathways Include:
Advanced Manufacturing: Build submarines and concept cars
Healthcare & Human Sciences: Simulate heart surgery or rehab a dolphin
Digital Technology: Defend against a cyberattack or explore the future of innovation with artificial intelligence and coding
Agriculture, Energy, & Natural Resources: Explore clean energy and food systems
Management & Entrepreneurship: Launch a startup in a guided simulation"
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: Smithsonian Institution
Write Into Art: Creative Writing Inspired by Visual Art - Event | Smithsonian Institution
"Discover how visual art can inspire creative writing and how writing can offer a powerful way to experience art. Join Mary Hall Surface, the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art's popular Writing Salon, for a course of three online workshops that explore essential elements of writing and styles through close looking, word-sketching, and imaginative response to prompts. The sessions spotlight a diverse range of visual art chosen to inspire writers of all experience levels to deepen their process and practice. This writing session is inspired by Mary Cassatt's The Boating Party."
Please submit STEAM ideas, comments, or questions using our contact us form.
State of Illinois published this content on July 01, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 01, 2026 at 19:49 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]