Word of the Year!
By Kristin Brynteson, Ed.D., Director of NIU STEAM
As we welcome in the new year, many of us are also setting some new goals or resolutions. Personally, for the past five years or so, I have traded in my new year’s resolutions for a “word of the year” – one word that serves as a guide or inspiration for the year ahead. We have some big goals for 2025, so I thought it would be good to have a word of the year for NIU STEAM. What’s our word for 2025?
Reflecting on 2024
2024 was an amazing year for NIU STEAM. We interacted with over 1,000 K-12 students on and off campus. From our afterschool program to summer camps to school and family events, we had a great time sharing our passion for STEAM and igniting that spark in students. We also welcomed close to 5,000 people to campus for our 15th STEM Fest! It was a day to remember. We hosted some amazing STEM Cafes that highlighted the cutting-edge work being done by NIU faculty and alumni. We even celebrated the grand opening of our refurbished learning spaces. 2024 was a busy and successful year across several measures. But what excites me most is that in 2024 we laid the foundation and planted the seeds for future success.
2025 is the year we watch those seeds GROW.
Looking Ahead to 2025
There are many ways the word “grow” captures our goals for 2025. Here are just a few.
- New student programs and initiatives that focus on food systems and sustainability. Last year we started to explore new ways to integrate earth and life science and food systems topics into our programs. Thanks to some early success, we’re expanding those initiatives. Our classrooms are now equipped with two grow towers, a worm farm and new technology for investigating earth and life sciences. We’re even partnering with NIU’s Edible Campus, and our students will be managing a set of garden beds here on campus. Some of the food we grow will be used in the FoodMASTER Friday class for our afterschool students where we teach math and science alongside healthy cooking and nutrition. With these new initiatives, both our middle school and high school afterschool students as well as our summer campers will have the opportunity to explore food systems from seed to table and beyond as they experience the science and learn about green career paths.
- Expanded opportunities for educators. Last year, in partnership with the IL-MTSS Network, we brought back the STEAMing it Up Conference after a four-year hiatus. This year, we continue that partnership with the rebranded NIU Engaged Learning Conference. And we are hosting it not once…but twice this year. Our first conference is in Bloomington-Normal on January 24, and the second is in Naperville on June 20. Both will be packed full of hands-on sessions and opportunities for educators to connect and share ideas. We’re also launching our new STEAM Learning Series and Learning Networks. The STEAM Learning Series consists of self-paced bite-sized mini-courses. The Leaning Networks are virtual interactive webinars around topics such as food science, STEAM Stories and Sustainable STEAM. These new PD offerings are designed to help busy educators grow their expertise and professional network.
- Expanding Partnerships. NIU STEAM has always been focused on developing mutually beneficial partnerships that have a positive impact on our community. In 2025 we’re excited to expand our existing partnership and kick off some new ones. On campus we’re working with faculty to expand the opportunities for our NIU students to gain valuable experience through community-engaged coursework. We continue to reach out to campus partners to explore how we can support the learning of our NIU students. Our new partnerships also extend beyond campus as we continue to develop new relationships with our community and business and industry partners so that we can bring unique learning experiences to our students.
Grow. It seems like such a simple word but for us, it has a big meaning. Everything we do this year, and beyond, is to support the growth of the kids, families, young adults and community members we work with in our programs. We are growing the next generation of scientists, engineers, artists, innovators and problem solvers. The seeds have been planted. The conditions are right. It’s time to GROW!
Learn more about what we have planned for this year and join us.
Happy 2025!
