A FREE Middle School After-school and Summer Program
The Barb City STEAM Team is an after-school STEAM-based exploration program offered to D428 students who reside in the Annie Glidden North neighborhood and who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Students investigate the STEAM concepts through interactive projects and activities that most interest them from content such as:
- Engineering & robotics
- Maker activities
- Art & digital media
- Science exploration
- Homework help and mentoring by NIU students and staff
Come explore with us!
The program meets after school Monday through Friday on the campus of Northern Illinois University. As concepts and content build on one another each day, daily attendance is expected. Transportation is available to those who require it.
BCST is offered in partnership with NIU STEAM and DeKalb School District 428.
2023-2024 Session Dates
Register for one or all four sessions!
Sessions run Monday-Thursday, 2:45–5:30 p.m. and Friday 2:45–5 p.m. Early release days run 11:15 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Session 1: Sept. 11–Oct. 20, registration closes Sept. 1
- Session 2: Oct. 23–Dec. 15, registration closes Oct. 13 (Note: no classes the week of Thanksgiving, Nov 20–24)
- Session 3: Jan. 16–March 8, registration closes Jan. 5
- Session 4: March 11–May 10, registration closes March 1 (no classes the week of DeKalb spring break, March 25–29)
Eligibility
The program is open to middle school students attending DeKalb School District 428 and receiving free or reduced lunch. Priority given to students who also meet the following criteria:
- Living in Annie Glidden North community.
- Would be the first in their family to attend college.
- Parent is a single head of household.
- Referral from school personnel.
What can I expect?
- Homework help.
- Daily snack.
- Mentoring by NIU students and staff.
- STEAM activities and self-directed projects.
- Social, fun time on a college campus.
- Interesting monthly STEAM events for the whole family.
- Community partners and special guests presenting on a variety of career and college focused topics.
- Mini field trips around the NIU campus and community, and more!
FAQs
What is the cost to attend the Barb City STEAM Team program?
The program is available at no financial cost to middle school students in DeKalb school district 428. Priority will be given to students receiving free or reduced lunch, having a single-parent head of household, living in Annie Glidden North community, who would be the first in their family to attend college and/or referred by school personnel.
Is transportation available for students to attend the Barb City STEAM Team program?
Transportation is available to students, if needed. During the school year, students are picked up at their middle school and delivered to campus to the STEAM classroom. Transportation home is available, upon request.
What will students do during their time at the Barb City STEAM Team program?
During the school year, upon arrival, students receive a snack and spend time working on homework, with support from NIU student mentors. Students then participate in fun and engaging STEAM based projects and activities, led by NIU STEAM instructors.
