State of Illinois
04/01/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/01/2026 15:24
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 64
STEAM Newsletter Vol. 64
STEAM Newsletter - Wednesday, April 1, 2026
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Celebrate Innovation and Technology Month!
Governor JB Pritzker has proclaimed April 2026 as Innovation and Technology Month in Illinois. This recognition provides an opportunity to celebrate the significant contributions that technology and innovation make to the state's economy and society. Numerous events are scheduled that highlight the state's latest advancements and encourage collaboration between industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Explore opportunities to recognize the state's thriving tech ecosystem and support the growth of technology-related programs, businesses, and startups!
The Annual Central Illinois STEM Fair will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 5:30 - 8:00 pm at the Rochester High School Athletic Complex. This free regional event is open to students' grades K-12, their families, teachers, and school administrators throughout central Illinois. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
World Quantum Day will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, an annual celebration promoting public awareness and understanding of quantum science and technology around the world. On Friday, April 10, 2026, the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST) at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign will host activities and events to increase understanding about quantum technology and discoveries.
On April 14 & 15, 2026 the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology will host its 3rd annual CareerSpark STEAM Expo in partnership with Junior Achievement of Central Illinois. This event provides a free hands-on, interactive work and career readiness experience designed to spark 8th grade students' interest in the exciting careers in the Science, Engineering, Technology, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) fields. If you're interested in being an Exhibitor or attendee, additional information and applications are available on the DoIT STEAM website.
Let off some STEAM with these fun activities!
Grade K - 4
Grade 5 - 8
Grade 9 - 12
Recent News on STEAM
"There is a new, U.S.-based, environmentally friendly method for mining rare-earth elements used in consumer electronics, clean energy, defense and biomedical imaging. By using oxalic acid made by sugar-eating engineered yeast, the new technique can extract almost all the rare-earth elements from low-grade ore."
"Destini Wiseman, a graduate student at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (UChicago PME), has lived through the best and worst of modern-day medicine."
DPI Brings Quantum Workforce Preparation into Chicago Classrooms | Discovery Partners Institute
"Bowen High School sits on 89th Street in the South Chicago neighborhood. Less than two miles away, the future Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park (IQMP) is rising on the site of a former U.S. Steel plant. That proximity positions quantum science and technology as an immediate neighborhood reality for both Adam Davenport, science teacher and department chair at Bowen, and his students."
Upcoming Events
ideaU April 2026 | Project-Based Learning | IDEA
Wed. Apr 1 - Thu. Apr 30 | 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."
9th Annual Central Illinois STEM Fair
Wed. Apr 8 | 5:30 - 8:00 pm | Rochester High School Athletic Complex | Register
"EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION - Registration is also open for exhibitors to reserve their exhibit spots. Use the same link above and choose the Exhibitor ticket type.
NEW FIELD TRIP OPTION - schools who would like to organize a field trip can also reserve their spots today. Use the same link above and choose the Field Trip ticket type.
Students, families, teachers from all schools in Central Illinois are encouraged to attend!
The event is FREE."
Fri. Apr 10 | 9 am - 1 pm | Register
"Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of the student writing process. AI can spark curiosity, support research, and deepen learning, but it can also shortcut the very thinking and productive struggle that help students develop strong writing and critical thinking skills."
Engineering Open House 2026 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Fri. Apr 10 & Sat. Apr 11 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
"EOH is an annual 2-day event that showcases engineering at UIUC, a tradition that has been evolving for over a century. As the largest student-run STEM fair in the country, EOH presents over 200 exhibits to approximately 35,000 visitors each year."
Tue. Apr 14 & Wed. Apr 15 | 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]."
ENTICE Education Workshops: Woodland Basics | IDNR
Sat. Apr 18 | 9 am - 3 pm | Register | Kennekuk Environmental Education Center, Danville
"What do oak trees, squirrels, blue bells, fireflies, and Morells have in common? They are all part of a healthy woodland ecosystem. Join us as we take a deep dive into the ecology of Illinois woodland habitats."
Earth Day Celebration | Geneva Park District
Sat. Apr 18 | 11 am-1 pm | Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva, IL
"The Geneva Park District and City of Geneva's Natural Resources Committee invite you to the annual Earth Day Celebration from 11am-1pm Saturday, April 18 at Peck Farm Park.
The event is free to attend."
STEM Connects | Learning Technology Center
Thu. Apr 23 | 9 am - 1 pm | Register | STEM Center- SIUE | Science East Building, Room 1276, Edwardsville, IL
"Join us for STEM Connects, designed specifically for PreK-8 educators, instructional coaches, and curriculum leaders. This event offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a collaborative learning environment focused on enhancing STEM education."
CS & STEM Networking Meeting | Learning Technology Center
Thu. Apr 23 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | 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"
Seasons of CS: Social Studies and Specials (PE, Music, and Art) | Learning Technology Center
Fri. Apr 24 | 9:00 am - 2:30 pm | Register | Illinois Valley Community College 815 N Orlando Smith Road, Oglesby, IL
"Ready to expand computer science beyond the core? This workshop invites K-8 educators to explore innovative ways to blend CS with social studies, art, music, and physical education classrooms."
ENTICE Education Workshops: Wildlife Basics: Reptiles | IDNR
Sat. Apr 25 | 9 am - 3 pm | Register | Red Oak Nature Center, North Aurora
"Snakes, turtles, and lizards, oh my! They might not be cute and fuzzy like mammals, but reptiles are amazing creatures too. What makes a reptile a reptile? Explore the reptiles of Illinois, learning their life history and taxonomy. Join us on a hike to look for reptiles and their signs."
Career Connections Conference | Illinois State Board of Education
May 6 | 9:00 am - 3:30 pm | Register
"The Illinois State Board of Education Career Connections Conference enables educators to learn from and collaborate with their peers from across Illinois. At the ISBE Career Connections Conference, CTE educators exchange ideas, share best practices, and foster meaningful connections that contribute to more opportunities and deeper learning for all students."
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."
Educator's Corner
STEAM resources for in-person, hybrid, remote learning, and professional development
- Education Resource Library | Earth Day
- Resources | Environmental Pathways | Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
- Podcasts | Learning Technology Center
- Teacher Training Programs | Discovery Partners Institute
- Calendar of Events | Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Poetry Month 30th Anniversary | Academy of American Poets
STEAM Resources
Earth Day 2026 | Theme, Activities, Events & Resources
"Whether you're organizing an event, joining one, or simply looking for ways to take action for the planet, The Earth Hub gives you the tools to make an impact. It's your one-stop shop for free toolkits, actions, and resources designed for students, families, workplaces, faith groups, and communities everywhere."
"Following the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, in 2026 we continue to celebrate the wonders of quantum science. Join us on April 14 for World Quantum Day and be part of a global movement to discover, engage with, and share the groundbreaking advancements shaping our future. Get involved and help make quantum science accessible to everyone!"
What is quantum technology - and why does it matter? Chicago Quantum Exchange
"Key takeaways:
1. Quantum technology will enable revolutionary advances across a wide variety of fields.
2. These real-world applications are closer than you may think.
3. Quantum technology operates under a different set of rules - and we're harnessing them to our advantage."
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.
"Modern dancer Loïe Fuller became famous in early 20th century Paris for her "Serpentine Dance," which she performed while enveloped in a long, flowing skirt that she twirled around herself.
Fuller's dance comes to life again through an avatar in a virtual reality game called "Master Dancer," developed by John Toenjes, a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign dance professor, composer and the music director for the dance department. The game teaches basic dance movements as well as the history of Fuller's influence in dance.
"Fuller had her own theater at the Paris World's Fair in 1900. She was hugely influential at the time. She was the Beyoncé or Taylor Swift of the early 20th century in terms of her popularity and influence," Toenjes said."
Please submit STEAM ideas, comments, or questions using our contact us form.
State of Illinois published this content on April 01, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 01, 2026 at 21:24 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]