Saturday, September 19, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
STEM Fest is a celebration of all things science, technology, engineering and math. This free event is held each year in the fall on the campus of Northern Illinois University and features more than 100 exhibits, speakers, and demonstrations designed to inspire and engage guests of all ages with opportunities for STEM learning. It is one of the largest free family events in northern Illinois.
Become a STEM Fest Sponsor for 2026!
It is never too early to be a STEM Fest Supporter! Your generous sponsorship reaches thousands of students, children and adults and helps make this annual event possible. As a sponsor, your name and logo will be featured on digital content including the STEM Fest website and STEM Fest social media. We look forward to talking with you soon about sponsorship of STEM Fest. Please contact NIU STEAM at niusteam@niu.edu at your convenience and let’s get started!
Exhibit at STEM Fest
Each year, STEM Fest draws a diverse group of exhibitors from NIU student organizations, departments, and programs and local community groups to showcase their work through interactive STEM activities. A limited number of outdoor booth space is available. If interested in learning more about exhibiting, please contact NIU STEAM at niusteam@niu.edu.
Volunteer at STEM Fest!
Volunteers play an important role at STEM Fest. From helping to welcome and direct guests to engaging attendees in hands on activities or assisting with set up and clean up, year after year, our volunteers are the glue that helps make STEM Fest a success. Come meet new people and use your skills to help us make STEM Fest 2026 the best year yet!
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors!
Additional sponsors:
The Suter Company
Syngenta
Mortenson
2025 Highlights
We Welcomed
- About 3,500 attendees.
- 15 school buses filled with students and educators.
- Visitors from at least
133 different zip codes.
Our Visitors
- Explored more than
125 interactive exhibits
across campus. - Soldered 573 Blinkies.
- Over 600 kids got
to fly, drive or interact
with robots and drones.
NIU Connections
- NIU departments and groups sponsored and staffed 90 booths with hands-on learning activities.
- Volunteers came from 6 colleges
and many divisions of the
university. - 77 additional NIU students
helped out, for a total of 450
STEM Fest volunteers.
