About STEM Outreach
NIU’s STEM Outreach delivers off-campus programs and on-campus activities designed to increase science, technology, engineering, and mathematics literacy and enthusiasm among P-12 students, their families, and educators. Our office provides a central place to find information on the numerous outreach programs offered by NIU’s STEM departments and the colleges.
NIU has long been involved in public programs such as the very popular Haunted Physics Laboratory at Halloween, Davis Hall Observatory visits, chemistry demonstration shows, WYSE competitions, and the Frontier Physics Road Shows. In 2008, NIU’s P-20 Task Force, which coordinates activities across the continuum from pre-school through graduate school, established STEM Outreach to increase the impact of the university’s diverse STEM programs for the public.
NIU STEM Outreach has four purposes:
- Build interest and excitement about STEM at NIU through standards-based presentations at schools.
- Provide opportunities for hands-on experiences with STEM subjects by conducting extra-curricular activities including clubs, competitions, and traveling hands-on museums.
- Raise educational aspirations, knowledge of STEM, and interest in attending NIU by coordinating activities such as structured campus visits, special events, and summer camps at NIU’s campuses.
- Improve teaching of STEM subjects by collaborating with teacher preparation and professional development activities in four NIU colleges.
Partnerships
NIU Stem Outreach is proud to be associated with organizations interested in promoting STEM literacy and encouraging young people to pursue careers in the STEM fields.
Illinois Champions Board
The Midwest Girls Collaborative Project (MWGCP) brings together organizations throughout Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri that are committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Illinois State Partner
Science Matters is an electronic network intiated by the National Science Teachers Association and implemented in Illinois by ISTA to foster communication, collaboration and leadership among science educators. Through this network, teachers and other science educators are provided with information about professional development opportunities and science teaching resources.
Center for P-20 Engagement
The Center for P-20 Engagement supports mutually beneficial partnerships related to education and training at all levels from preschool (P) through graduate studies (20+) in schools, workplaces, and community settings across Northern Illinois.
USA Science & Engineering Festival
NIU STEM Outreach proudly presents STEMfest as an associated event of the USA Science & Engineering Festival held in Washington DC. For more information on all festival events and how you can get involved, visit www.usasciencefestival.org.