State of Illinois

05/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/01/2024 08:14

STEAM Newsletter Vol. 41

STEAM Newsletter Vol. 41

STEAM Newsletter - Wednesday, May 1, 2024
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Explore Summer Fun and Learning Opportunities

We are charging towards the end of the school year and undoubtedly need a break, but the summer offers great opportunities to renew our passion for learning and spark new interests and strategies. The summer months may be a good chance for students and educators to enhance their knowledge, cultivate interests in STEAM domains, and obtain new skills and knowledge at summer events. This newsletter shares various opportunities for summer camps as well as professional development.

Our public universities in Illinois offer an enormous variety of summer programs. Chicago State University will provide programs for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Eastern Illinois University will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Eastern Illinois Music Camp. Governors State University will host Summer STEAM Campfor students ages 11 to 16. Illinois State University summer camps include the Redbird Esports Summer Camp for students aged 8-15. Northeastern Illinois University will host Summer EsCAPE programs for a variety of ages. Northern Illinois University STEAM Camps offers a multitude of opportunities for students and educators. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville will host a variety of summer camps in academics and the arts. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale summer camps include medicine and aviation. The University of Illinois at Chicago will host an Engineering Summer Camp with hands-on challenges for students in grades 4th through 12th. The University of Illinois at Springfield will host five academic summer camps for high school students. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will host Grainger Engineering Summer Camps and the Illinois Aerospace Institute Summer Camp. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will also host a STEM Career Exploration and Symposium on July 26, 2024 where high school and community college students and educators are invited to attend. Western Illinois University will host summer enrichment camps for students in grades 4th through 12th. The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy will also be hosting Summer @IMSA which includes "an array of STEM-based programs in Summer 2024." We encourage you to explore the public universities, IMSA, and your nearest community college for inspiring resources!"

Let off some STEAM with these fun activities!

Recent News on STEAM

"Ciguatera poisoning is the most common non-bacterial seafood-borne illness in the world. More than 50,000 cases are reported annually, but scientists think that the true numbers may be much higher, because the symptoms - vomiting, diarrhea, tingling, muscle weakness and pain, and tactile sensitivity to cold - can be easily mistaken for other seafood illnesses.

During a Feb. 27 Keystone Science Lecture, Alison Robertson, Ph.D., described her team's efforts to track the accumulation and movement of ciguatoxins - the source of ciguatera poisoning - in reef food webs across the world. There is no diagnostic test for ciguatoxins, which is why tracking their movement is so important.

"On a weekly basis, our team is contacted about poisoning outbreaks that are happening among people who have eaten seafood and ended up sick," said Robertson, an associate professor at the University of South Alabama and senior marine scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. "We've seen an increase in the number of these reports at our lab, because not a lot is known about ciguatera, and people are desperate to find answers.""

"The matador bugs' vibrant flags are neither a dating display nor a distraction tactic, they're part of an elaborate defense strategy, according to a new study in Gamboa.

In the quaint town of Gamboa, nestled near the Panama Canal, a team of scientists embarked on a unique endeavor: attaching red flags onto the legs of crickets and observing how birds respond to them. These eye-catching flags were borrowed from the matador bug (Anisoscelis alipes), an insect renowned for the colorful adornments on its hind legs. This trait has captivated Ummat Somjee-a postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Institution and Stengl-Wyer Scholar at The University of Texas at Austin-for several years, particularly given the matador bug's tendency to wave them. The persisting question: Why does it wave its colorful hind legs?

A previous study, also supervised by Dr. Somjee, suggested a surprising finding that the fancy leg waving was probably not a sexual display. Some of the most obvious and elaborate traits in animals are used to attract mates and these are predominantly expressed in males; think dances of birds of paradise or an elk's large antlers. Yet, with matador bugs, both males and females showed off their pretty legs. Also, the waving behavior didn't change whether there were potential mates around or not."

Upcoming Events

Wed. May 1 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Online

CS & STEM Networking Meeting

"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

Teachers, administrators, and curriculum stakeholders are invited to attend, as well CS & STEM educators of all experience levels and at all grade levels. Whether you're just starting out or interested in taking your district's CS & STEM program to the next level, this networking group will help you achieve your goals!"

"Join the Teach Plus Illinois Artificial Intelligence Working Group, as we embark on a crucial mission to ensure educators' perspectives are integrated into the shaping of AI policies state-wide. Illinois is at a pivotal moment in AI policy development, with the establishment of a dedicated task force focused on providing comprehensive guidance on AI policy implementation, particularly within K-12 educational settings. As teacher advocates, our aim is to actively contribute to this discourse by championing the voices of educators and students."

Thu. May 9 | 9:30 am - 11:45 am and 12:45 pm-3 pm | Illinois State Capitol in Springfield

IDEA's Students for Innovation: Advocacy Day

"Illinois educators and students are doing amazing, innovative things in the classroom every single day. At IDEA, our hope is to give these students and educators a platform to exemplify the importance of this innovative learning. That is why we are so excited to once again host our Students for Innovation Advocacy Day (formally known as Tech 20xx) on May 9, 2024!

Students are selected through an application process to present in-person their innovative progress during a one-day event at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield."

Mon. May 13 | Online

Home - Day of AI

"Day of AI is a free, hands-on curriculum of lessons and activities designed to introduce K-12 students to artificial intelligence (AI) and how it shapes their lives. The Day of AI curriculum was developed by a team of researchers at MIT RAISE, and designed to be taught by educators with little or no technology background. These resources are free, Creative Commons-licensed, and made to be accessible to students of all backgrounds and abilities."

Tue. May 14 | 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Online

Social Media & Its Impact on Student Mental Health

"How can educators identify the warning signs of negative social media interactions, and what can we do to help students before they reach the point of crisis? Join us as we explore current research about young people and social media + strategies for helping students access mental health support."

"Artificial Intelligence is transforming the face of work. AI-generated writing is becoming common in education and journalism. In science, artificial intelligence can predict data, experimental results or even the efficacy of new chemical compounds. What does it mean to be a teacher, writer or scientist in the face of this sea change?

Learn about the benefits and pitfalls of AI with two experts.

NIU Associate Professor of Communication Andrea L. Guzman will examine people's feelings about the integration of AI into work and education. She'll explore the ethical questions that arise when people begin using AI.

Argonne Research Scientist Aikaterini Vriza will discuss the impact of AI in the operation of a chemistry laboratory. She'll delve into how AI technologies underpin the development of self-driving laboratories and facilitate the rapid design of new materials."

"Our seventh annual summer camp is designed to bring together teams of new and returning campers (educators) to discuss issues, pedagogies and practices beneficial for all students. Campers will have interactive opportunities to discuss equity and justice issues, both general and specific to their schools, with experts and colleagues, as well as time for individual reflection and group activities. Custom content for school district and community college administrators, teachers and counselors."

"The Illinois State Board of Education Career Connections Conference offers educators the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with educators from across Illinois. At the ISBE Career Connections Conference, CTE educators come together to exchange ideas, share best practices, and foster meaningful connections with their peers in order to improve opportunities and deepen learning for all students."

"Join fellow K-12 CS educators for a 5-day learning experience centered on building prosperous computer science programs in every Illinois school district.

During this one-of-a-kind event, new and experienced CS educators from across Illinois will:

  • Engage with current curriculum from top CS trainers and providers (including Code.org)
  • Build community during group meals and team-building activities
  • Discover strategies for expanding access to rigorous, inclusive computer science learning

Attendees can choose one of five learning tracks aligned to specific roles and grade bands, with learning opportunities available for elementary, middle, and high school teachers.

Reserve your spot today to help CS learning achieve liftoff in your classroom or district!"

"Undergraduate research will take center stage on July 26, 2024, during the STEM Career Exploration and Symposium at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The free, full-day event at the Illini Union serves as the capstone experience for undergraduate researchers participating in dozens of programs across the Illinois campus during the summer. It also provides opportunities for high school and community college students and educators to explore careers in STEM and learn more about the role of undergraduate research in preparing students for these careers.

The day will include poster, oral, and lightning presentations by undergraduate researchers, as well as career panel discussions, an employer and professional organization networking fair, and keynote speaker Ashley Huderson, who will discuss diversity in STEM fields. The full program is available online: Illinois Summer Research Program Alliance…. K-12 teachers should note the STEM Career Exploration and Symposium is an Illinois State Board of Education-approved professional development event."

Educator's Corner

STEAM resources for in-person, hybrid, remote learning, and professional development

STEAM Resources Spotlight

"STEAMing It Up is a one-day interdisciplinary conference for educators from across all grade levels that will be held at the Waubonsee Community College Downtown Aurora Campus on June 7, 2024. This year's conference is focused on evidence-based literacy instructional strategies and their integration within STEAM instruction. The conference will focus on engaging students across all instructional tiers while also building their Essential Skills.

The keynote at STEAMing It Up will feature ISBE principal consultants from across English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science jointly presenting It Takes a Village: Collaborating for Success for All Students in Literacy and STEAM."

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.

Photo by Ghylian Bell and Mychal Watts

"It is with great sadness that the National Endowment for the Arts acknowledges the passing of percussionist and educator Albert "Tootie" Heath, recipient of a 2021 NEA Jazz Masters Fellowship, the nation's highest honor in jazz. The youngest of the three Heath Brothers, Heath was the consummate jazz drummer, playing with seemingly everyone from John Coltrane to Ethan Iverson and performing on more than 100 recordings. Well-versed in various styles of jazz-including avant-garde, bop, and swing-he also delved into R&B, such as his work in the 1980s with his nephew Mtume; studied improvisation in North Indian classical music; and was praised for his ability to imbue his personality into any repertoire.

In a video interview with Heath, he said, "You become a jazz master by opening yourself up to other cultures and other music from around the world. The reason why I like to thank jazz-because it led me to all of these other types of music that exist in the world."

Self-taught, Albert "Tootie" Heath received musical training from his father, a clarinetist in one of Philadelphia's Black marching bands, as well as from his older brothers Percy and Jimmy (both NEA Jazz Masters), who were already establishing themselves in the jazz world. Still in high school, Heath was asked to accompany Thelonious Monk on the drums during his engagement at Philadelphia's Blue Note Club. By 1957, he had moved to New York, where he had an auspicious recording debut with the legendary John Coltrane on his album Coltrane (and later played on Coltrane's Lush Life). In 1958, Heath was the drummer for Nina Simone's first album, Little Girl Blue."

Please submit STEAM ideas, comments, or questions using our contact us form.