Who are the people in your neighborhood? Our neighborhood is a diverse community of curious learners – and we want every child who grows up in DeKalb to imagine themselves as college and career bound. STEM Fest, STEAM summer camps, afterschool programs and Parent University … STEM neighborhood outreach programs use fun hands-on learning and community building to put youth on the pathway to future success.
Final Stretch!
We are in the final stretch now! Give today and support the Huskies of tomorrow!
Give today to support the Huskies of tomorrow!
With your donation, we can expand our STEM neighborhood outreach in DeKalb County, enhance and diversify our activities and events, and create a positive impact in children's and teen's lives. Every donation in any amount makes a difference.
Unlock challenge funds!
When 15 new donors (who didn’t donate to our STEM Fest crowdfunding campaign last year) give to our campaign this year, we will unlock a generous $500 donation from Amy Jo Clemens! Help us meet this challenge by spreading the word about our campaign.
Dr. Rena Cotsones, Chief Engagement Officer, wants to inspire donors to support STEM neighborhood outreach in DeKalb. The first $500 in gifts to STEM Pathways for Neighborhood Youth will unlock Dr. Cotsones' matching gift of $500.
Discover the impact of NIU STEAM programs.
“Some of the campers have definitely been pretty excited. It depends on the activity. Different activities make different people excited about them. Last week we had a couple kids who were really excited about coding with Arduinos. And we had some kids who were really excited about this project we do with gear ratios to lift weight. And some kids really like soldering and putting together circuits.”
- Cory Packard, Electrical Engineer, NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology Alum, Former STEAM Camp Counselor
"The Barb City STEAM Team has been such a cool journey so far. As we watch the number of students[in the program] grow, we've also seen the individual students grow socially and academically. I think we're often so busy in life that we don't get a chance to look at what these kids are capable of. Just taking the time to celebrate with the kids everything they've been able to accomplish [as part of the Barb City STEAM Team], and giving them the chance to share and voice what they've done is just such an empowering moment for them."
-Lindsay Van Geem, NIU STEAM Educator, Coordinator of the Barb City STEAM Team program, NIU College of Education alum and former STEAM Summer Camp counselor
