STEM Fest 2024 Sites
By Kristin Brynteson, NIU STEAM Director
As we get closer to STEM Fest, one of the questions we get most often is, “Where on campus is STEM Fest?” And really, it is all over NIU’s central campus. So, let’s take a tour of the sites. I enlisted the help of NIU STEAM staff member Russ Devereaux and we made a short video tour to showcase all the campus locations of STEM Fest so you’ll know what to expect when you join us on the 28th.
If you are more of a “tell me, and show me” person, here is a written tour of where to find all things STEM Fest here on campus.
Just north of Route 38, Lincoln Highway, is the parking garage. You can turn either on Normal Rd or Carrol Ave to get there. Parking is free on Saturdays and the parking garage is your closest option to the center of STEM Fest. Once you park, head north towards Martin Luther King (MLK) Commons. Look for the tents. Outside you will find a wide variety of exhibitors and activities, including the brand-new Environmental Innovation Zone where you can explore topics related to food, water, earth science and beyond. You won’t want to miss the always popular weather balloon launch at 11:30 a.m. or the Be Pro Be Proud truck with some amazing simulations to explore. You can even watch a local graffiti artist create a STEM Fest themed work of art. Watch it progress during the day! The MLK Commons is a great place to start but there is so much more to see.
The tower to the north is Holmes Student Center (HSC). We have taken over the entire main floor! Head inside and you’ll find almost one hundred hands on booths across the three exhibit areas, Exploration Hall, the Health and Wellness Zone and the Artist’s Playground. There is something for everyone. If you have littles, don’t miss the Tot Spot filled with hands on fun for our youngest explorer. And catch a demonstration on the STEM Fest stage in Sandburg Auditorium. Check the website for the full stage schedule.
Once you’ve thoroughly explored the exhibit rooms in HSC, exit the south doors, through the MLK Commons and into the Founders Memorial Library. This year there is something interesting on each floor. Including Science on a Sphere, the Alebrijes Exhibit on the first floor and the Innovation Studio on the lower level. If you are looking for quieter options, you can explore the many displays on upper levels. Back on the main level, you’ll can meet several of your favorite Illinois Reads Authors in the STEAM Stories area. You’ll have a chance to hear book talks and connect with them one on one at the book signing tables.
Has all that exploring left you hungry? Don’t worry, in addition to the two dining options in the lower level of HSC, Normal Road will be filled with local food trucks. So, take a moment to refuel because we are not done yet. There is still a lot to see and do!
Just east of the food trucks in Swen Parson Hall, come and explore our STEAM Studio with interactive stations designed by the Barb City STEAM Team, our local afterschool club with DeKalb CUSD 428 students. They have been working hard all month to create a STEM-tastic space!
There is still one area you can’t miss but you’ll need to take a quick 5-minute walk. It is worth the walk!
From MLK Commons, head east on Lucinda to Anderson Hall on the corner of Lucinda and Garden Rd. Anderson Hall is once again home to the Robotics and Rover Expo where you can see student-built robots and interact with the students who built them. Both the NIU Robotics and Mars Rover Teams will be showcasing their robots as well as high school students from area First Robotic Teams. We’ll also have a drone cage set up where you can fly a drone or maneuver a robot through a maze. Look for the tent in the Anderson Hall parking lot to the north of Lucinda to see the Mars Rover team, then head inside for more robot fun. But that’s not all, this year Anderson Hall is home to the brand new Sport Performance Arcade, where you can try out some sports performance equipment. Also, check out the Edible Campus booth with guided tours of the market garden and the cutting-edge hydroponic garden.
There is so much to do at STEM Fest and something for every age and interest. Be sure to visit our website to plan your day. The fun runs from 10-3. We’ll see you here on September 28th!
