Northern Illinois University Presents: The STEAM Studio

In this episode of the STEAM Studio Podcast , host April Startzel sits down with Michael Corvino, lead instructor of NIU’s summer film production camp, to explore what makes this fast-paced, creative program so impactful. Michael shares his unique dual role at NIU supporting technology across campus while teaching audio and video production. Michael explains how those experiences shaped the film c...

In this episode of the Steam Studio Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Melissa Adams Campbell , professor of English at Northern Illinois University, to explore how literature, creativity, and technology collide in her innovative Monsters and Makers upcoming summer camp. Dr. Melissa Adams Campbell (NIU) shares how her Monsters and Makers camp blends Frankenstein , hands-on bookmaking, and digital desig...

In this episode, we hear from students in DeKalb High School’s Environmental Club as they reflect on their experience in the NIU STEAM Innovation Challenge. Just weeks after competing, they share how they created a solution to reduce microplastics in agriculture by designing a biodegradable seed coating made from chitosan . Working outside of a traditional classroom, the team balanced busy schedul...

In this episode, Romeoville students share their award-winning experience at the NIU STEAM Innovation Challenge , where they earned first and third place by tackling antibiotic resistance and microplastic pollution. They discuss how understanding the problem, conducting research, and refining ideas led to innovative solutions, while also highlighting the importance of teamwork, time management, an...

In this episode of the NIU STEAM Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Duckett, Director of the Black Studies Program at Northern Illinois University, to explore Black history through a global lens and to spotlight the upcoming Sankofa Summer Institute: Learning from the Past, Shaping the Future . Dr. Duckett shares her journey in Black Studies, discusses the importance of pre colonial African history, an...

In this STEAM Studio Podcast episode, we spotlight the impact, innovation, and people behind NIU STEAM Camps. Host conversations with NIU STEAM educator Jess Winn and NIU student counselor Erin Lauer offer an inside look at how the camps inspire K–12 students, build confidence, and create lasting connections to STEAM disciplines and the NIU campus. Through personal stories, program insights, and p...

In this episode of the STEAM Studio Podcast , we talk with Dr. Bill Martin , assistant professor at NIU, about authentic undergraduate research, learning through uncertainty, and using the campus itself as a living laboratory. From owls in Montgomery Woods to student‑driven research projects across biology and sustainability, Bill shares how curiosity, passion, and community engagement fuel meanin...

Quantum isn’t just a technological miracle of the twentieth century. It is the strange, beautiful rulebook of the universe itself. In this STEAM Studio episode, NIU physics professor Dr. Larry Lurio joins the conversation to demystify quantum mechanics and reveal why the field is having a moment once again. From particles that exist in more than one state at a time to entanglement that links objec...

From snow‑covered fairways to summer tee sheets packed with players, the game of golf at White Pines never stops moving. In this STEAM Studio Spotlight episode, we step onto the green to explore how science, technology, and community quietly shape every swing and every putt. White Pines General Manager Andrew Godfrey joins Callaway Golf’s Stacy Borkowski and Bensenville Park District marketing lea...

A scenic route can sometimes be the most powerful teacher. In this episode of STEAM Studio Spotlight , eighth grade U.S. history teacher and middle school athletic director John Gallione joins the conversation to share how a nonlinear journey marked by early academic struggles, the Great Recession, career detours, and community college transfer ultimately led him to a deeply meaningful life in edu...

In this episode of the NIU STEAM Studio Podcast, we welcome a trio of experts from NIU Career Services —Michaela Holtz, Director of Career Readiness and Success; Steph Horgan, Assistant Director of Employer Engagement; and Tara Dickson, Assistant Director for Career Counseling and Education. To explore how the office has evolved to meet changing expectations in the labor market, supporting student...

Journey from bicycle brakes and a hot glass mishap to one of the world's largest particle physics experiments. NIU professor Dr. Jahred Adelman joins the STEAM Studio Spotlight to discuss his work on CERN's ATLAS detector, the surprising role of computing and "big data" in smashing protons, and how skills in this field reach far beyond the lab. He also teases an upcoming talk on the hidden physics...

Dive into the vibrant world of college music with Dr. Thomas Bough, the director of NIU's beloved Husky Marching Band. Discover how students from every major can keep their passion for music alive, why band kids make the top scholars

Ready to solve a real-world problem? This episode dives into the NIU Innovation Challenge, where student teams take on major issues like microplastics and antibiotic resistance. Learn how they get expert mentorship, develop innovative solutions, and compete for cash prizes by pitching their ideas to a panel of judges.

From the physics lab to the roller derby track to the bookshelf, Elizabeth Holden lives a life of science and stories. The NIU alum and author of " Mighty Millie Novak " reveals how she juggles teaching, writing, and travel, proving that a curious mind can master anything.

Discover how to transform your classroom through the power of connection. Authors and educators Tim Yoder and Joy Young discuss their essential book, The Neurodiversity Connection, offering insights and real-world stories to create a supportive, inclusive learning environment for every brain.

How does a university truly connect with its community? Jennifer Groce, a professional "connector" for Northern Illinois University, breaks down the power of reciprocity, mutual voice, and listening to build partnerships that change the world.

How do you prepare students for a modern, interconnected world? NIU student leader Khalil Barahaoua discusses blending language, technology, and cultural understanding. Discover his journey from study abroad to the STEAM studio, and learn how interdisciplinary learning creates "aha" moments for everyone.

From a piano major to a steel pan builder and tuner, Yuko Asada shares her incredible journey into the heart of this unique instrument. She discusses her current research in Trinidad and Tobago, the challenge of preserving a cultural tradition, and the fascinating intersection of craft and technology in the quest to build a better pan.

Discover the hidden engine of university research. Dara Little, NIU’s Associate Vice President for Research with more than 25 years of research administration expertise, reveals how multi-million dollar projects are managed, the intense competition for funding, and the crucial support system that makes scientific breakthroughs possible.

How do the swarming patterns of fish and mosquitoes help us design better robots and understand human crowds? Dr. Sachit Butail, a mechanical engineering professor who studies everything from bioinspired robotics to emergency evacuations, explains the fascinating science of collective behavior on this episode of STEAM Studio Spotlight.

Discover the art, science, and pure joy of skateboarding with Ariel from Fargo Skate. In this inspiring episode, she breaks down the mental and physical layers of what makes skateboarding a lifelong passion and a form of creative expression. Learn how Ariel’s unique business inside a historic vaudeville theater is breaking down barriers, building an inclusive community, and proving that it's never...

Engineers build solutions, but can they sell them? Discover IdeaPolooza, a groundbreaking program where engineering students learn to pitch their capstone projects to business stakeholders. Dr. Nick Pohlman and Becca Husar reveal how they're breaking down silos between colleges to create the next generation of well-rounded, employable innovators.

During this STEAM Studio Spotlight discover the power of informal learning with Jasmine Carey, an NIU STEAM instructor who has come full circle—from student worker to leading the Barb City STEAM Team. She shares how her own journey of taking things apart led to a career building up the next generation. Learn how her after-school program creates a safe space for middle schoolers to experiment, fail...

Join us for this episode of the STEAM Studio Spotlight as we talk with educator, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Cherish Jackson. In this powerful episode, Cherish shares how failures became her greatest teacher, revealing a surprising truth about the "savior complex" in education and how learning to build student resilience—not dependency—is the key to making a real impact. Join us for an inspi...