NIU STEAM

Join us for our 4th annual STEAM & Dream at Welsh Park! 651 Russell Rd, DeKalb, IL Thursday, May 7 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. brought to you by NIU STEAM, Barb City STEAM Team and Opportunity DeKalb! Whether you’re building, experimenting, or just enjoying time outdoors, there’s community fun for all ages! See you at the park!

There's still time to sign up for Black History and Culture with T. Ajewole Duckett, PhD., NIU Center for Black Studies! The residential camp runs from July 12 - 17. Learn more
https://niusteam.niu.edu/black-history-and-culture-summer-camp/ and listen to Dr. Duckett's podcast here https://rss.com/podcasts/steamstudio/2785811/

NIU STEAM on behalf of the NIU Northern Illinois University Alumni Association would like to thank our generous hosts at White Pines Golf Club for a wonderful STEAM Cafe on the Science of the Swing with presenters Kody Anderson and Seth Terpstra at SMART Golf & Fitness.
https://smartgolffitness.com/
https://www.whitepinesgolf.com/

NIU STEAM celebrates our CURE Conference undergraduate researchers!
Huskie Service Scholars Thai Villafane, Stephanie Nosal, Ozod Abdumanonov, and Kirah Neilson, presented on the time they spent volunteering with the Barb City After School Program.
Veteran STEAM student employee, Madeline Johnson (pictured right) and her research partner Danielle Cooper (pictured left), presented climate change research they conducted under the guidance of Dr. Bill Martin.

Calling all grade 6-12 educators who want to prepare students for future careers in food systems!
Receive a $2,250 stipend AND full compensation for travel, room and board!
Applications to join NIU STEAM and NIU's Edible Campus program for an immersive professional development community are due by MAY 1! Apply now!
https://niusteam.niu.edu/niu-edible-campus-immersion-teacher-experience-and-development-excited/

Revolution

What makes a revolution? From the Scientific Revolution to the disco era, explore how bold ideas sparked global change. Dive into hands-on activities, real historical sources, and interactive discussions—then walk away with your own research and a whole new perspective. Join us this summer and Spark Change. https://niusteamcamps.com/camp/sparking-change-what-makes-a-revolution/

Check out our latest STEAM Studio Podcast, where we talk with Dr. Bill Martin, assistant professor at NIU, about authentic undergraduate research, learning through uncertainty, and using the campus itself as a living laboratory from the owls in Montgomery Woods to student‑driven research projects across biology and sustainability.
https://rss.com/podcasts/steamstudio/2758152/

Scholarships

Big ideas belong to everyone. NIU STEAM offers scholarships to help more students experience an unforgettable summer camp. Don’t miss your chance – our scholarship application deadline is May 1st! https://niusteamcamps.com/sponsorship-camps/

Attend a premiere screening for the new PBS nature documentary series, Life Unearthed with Ariel Waldman. This series follows National Geographic Explorer Waldman through two undiscovered territories, Antarctica and the American Prairie, at scales never before seen on film. Join the Director and Lead Science Advisor for two unaired episodes filmed right in your backyard at the Nachusa Grasslands, followed by a Q&A. We look forward to seeing you there!

Date: April 26, 2026
Time: doors open at 2:00pm, film begins at 2:30
Place: Faranda's Banquets in DeKalb
https://calendar.niu.edu/event/sneak-peek-screening-life-unearthed-with-ariel-waldman

Come out visit the NIU STEAM booth this Thursday! The fun begins at 3:30 - come by, grab yourself a free T-shirt (while supplies last) and get an exclusive code for $50 off our summer camps.

Learn more about our camp offerings at https://niusteamcamps.com/