Events on Campus for Families and Educators
Enjoy the Dog Days of Summer at Summer Camp! – Students
Every summer, NIU offers nearly 40 summer day and residential camps in DeKalb for students in 1st through 12th grades. From athletics to activism, there's sure to be something of interest to every young learner!
- Gain expert knowledge. Campers will learn from university experts and student mentors in our state-of-the-art facilities
- Learn in a fun, safe environment. Counselors supervise students at all times.
- Get the university experience. Residential campers enjoy authentic campus experiences, sleeping and eating in residence halls and participating in evening activities.
Find more information about all of the camps and register at http://niu.edu/summercamps/.
Rarely Seen Southeast Asia: Art, Artifact, Ephemera – Educators, Students, Families
through May 15, The Anthropology Museum, NIU, Cole Hall
Drawn from the museum’s collection and private sources, the exhibition celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) is curated by NIU Professor emeritus Richard Cooler.
http://niu.edu/anthro_museum/exhibits/Rarely_Seen_SEA.shtml
STEM Café "WISSARDs of the Antarctic" – Adults
Wednesday, May 22, 6:30 p.m., Eduardo's Restaurant (214 E Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb)
Understand the implications of the melting Antarctic ice sheet at this casual gathering. Ross Powell, co-leader for the National Science Foundation-supported WISSARD project (Whillans Ice Stream Subglacial Access Research Drilling), which is using a hot water drill to explore the environment beneath the Antarctic ice sheet, will discuss the work of the 19 member team exploring what lies beneath. http://www.niu.edu/stem/community_programs/STEM_Cafe.shtml
Summer Reading Programs – Parents and Students
For an enjoyable activity with lifelong benefits, we recommend one of our eight different reading skills programs designed and taught by instructors from the Institute of Reading Development. Programs are now available at over 28 locations throughout Illinois. http://www.niu.edu/outreach/reading/
Developing 21st Century Skills Via Web 2.0 Technology-Infused, Inquiry-based Learning – Educators
Wednesday, May 29, 4:30-7:30 p.m., NIU
This free professional development series will empower you to design Web 2.0 technology-infused, inquiry-based learning (IBL) projects, which engage learners and effectively develop 21st century learning skills. Learn more and register at http://www.cedu.niu.edu/oep/conferences/.
Electricity Fair - Families
Thursday, June 6, DeKalb Public Library
Join us for a science and electricity fair to celebrate the Bright Futures program. Watch electricity demonstrations, participate in hands-on activities, learn about green energy initativs, eat electrocuted hot dogs and pickles, get your face painted, see works of electric art, and more. http://www.niu.edu/stem/community_programs/Bright_Futures.shtml
40th Annual Summer Literacy Conference – Educators
June 10-13, Waubonsee Community College, academic and Professional Center, Sugar Grove, Illinois
This year’s conference, “Implementing the Common Core: Designing Responsive Instruction for All Students”. Topics will include investigating major issues around Common Core, generating new practices related to Common Core, and developing frameworks to integrate responsive teaching with Common Core. Find more information and register at http://www.cedu.niu.edu/oep/conferences/SummerLiteracyConference2013/index.html.
STEM Teen Read - Enter the World of Ashfall this July - Educators, Students, Families
July, Various Locations
Teens, educators, and sci-fi readers of all ages are invited to experience the science behind the fiction with the STEM Teen Read. This summer, we'll be reading Mike Mullin's Ashfall. Beginning in July, we'll offer online expert videos, discussion forums, and an interactive video game to help readers explore the world of Ashfall and learn more about the geology, engineering, first aid, and food science covered in this exciting book. Author Mike Mullin will also appear live at NIU and local libraries on July 30 and 31. Throughout the year, the STEM Teen Read offers live and online programming on popular young adult books. Our free, online resources are available for teen readers and educators alike. Go to teenread.niu.edu to learn more and get updates about Mike Mullin's visit.
ASM Materials Camp - Educators
July 22-26, NIU
Attend this free 5-day professional development workshop to learn about engaging students withsimple, low-cost experiments that you can integrate into your existing lesson plans. This camp is designed for middle school and high school teachers in general science, physical science, chemistry, math, and technology. Learn more and register at http://www.asmfoundation.org/portal/site/www/foundation/.
Gender and Political Psychology Research Workshop – Educators
August 27-28, NIU's Naperville Campus
The purpose of this workshop is to form a network of political scientists and psychologists who are employing new research approaches and techniques to the study of gender with emphasis on intersectionality. We invite papers that advance a broader understanding of how gender and other social identities (i.e., race, class, parental status, sexuality) operate in the political sphere. Learn more and register at http://www.niu.edu/clasep/conferences/ispp/.
NAME’s 2013 Summer Institute – Educators
June 24-26, NIU
Sign up for National Association for Multicultural Education’s 2013 Summer Institute Addressing the Demographic Imperative: Recruiting and Preparing Diverse and Highly Effective Teachers and School Leaders. Teacher education programs, teaming with school districts, and community partners are invited to participate in the NAME Summer Institute. Sessions will focus on the recruitment, preparation, and retention of teachers and school leaders of color and/or language minorities. Find additional information and register at www.NAMEorg.org.
Hands-On Physics at Your School and Frontier Physics Road Show – Students and Educators
NIU STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Outreach can bring 25-100 of the interactive physics displays, which were developed for the Haunted Physics Labs to your school for a day-long or evening event. Billed as Physics Phun Labs and Frontier Physics Road Show, these investigations are sure to intrigue students from kindergarten through high school.
These popular and dynamic physics demonstration programs can be customized for each audience by choosing themes and concepts that reflectyour curriculum. We use liquid nitrogen, plasma globes, strong magnets, lasers, diffraction-lensed rainbow glasses and many other intriguing demon strations to excite students and bring physcics concepts to life.
STEM Outreach can also arrange for programs in any of the STEM fields. We can bring faculty or students to visit your classroom or facilitate field trips to NIU's campus. To schedule either the Hands-on Physics or Frontier Physics programs for your school or community, contact Pati Sievert 815-753-1201 psievert@niu.edu or Jeremy Benson 815-753-0533 jjbenson@niu.edu. Check out the STEM Outreach web page for an extensive list of on and off campus activities.