Amber Quirk

Regional Superintendent

DuPage County Schools

Regional Office of Education

421 N. County Farm Rd

Wheaton, IL 60187

630.407.5800

The STEM Insider

February 2026

NEWS

A Growing Emphasis on Touch Typing?

Read more about schools placing additional emphasis on keyboarding skills. Some educators are saying that traditional typing practice is essential for standardized testing performance and future careers.

Three Trends That Will Shape Ed Tech in 2026

School districts will need to be more critical of ed tech tools as vendors face more aggressive accountability demands this year. Read this article to hear what K-12 tech experts have to say.

Early STEM Education Shapes Industry Ready Innovators

Early STEM education is about shaping inductive thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators who are ready to operate in complex, real-world industrial environments. Learn more about how early STEM advances high-stakes industrial innovation.

Help Your Students Set Healthy Tech Boundaries

Your classrooms offer fertile soil for fostering intentional tech use, reducing tech's emotional strain, and setting healthy boundaries. Access the article here.

How the Vocabulary a Math Teacher Uses Affects Student Learning

Seemingly jargony words and phrases like remainder, product, algorithm, and ordered pairs might seem complex for elementary students. But teachers who use them regularly are more likely to see a boost in student math scores, new research finds.

EVENTS

Family STEM Nights - Thursday Evenings, 6:00 - 7:00 pm, through December 10, 2026

From slime to 3D printing, each Family STEM Night program at Naper Settlement inspires caregivers to connect with their children through fun, hands-on learning. No planning, no mess - just the opportunity to learn and make memories together. The program is designed for 5 to 11 year olds and carries an $8 per person fee.

Teaching for Climate Resilience (Zoom) - February 24, 2026; 4:00 - 5:00 pm

This free workshop is designed for K-12 educators. Participants will explore resources from SubjectToClimate, including lesson plans, articles, activities, videos, and more. Register here.

Women and Girls Shaping a Sustinable Future - March 31, 2026; 6:00 pm

Tune in to a powerful panel of young women from the National Girls Collaborative Project Youth Advisory Board, as they share their perspectives on how STEM is central to solving urgent global problems.

Saturday STEM at IMSA - March/April, 2026

The Illinois Math and Science Academy is offering Saturday STEM sessions for 3rd through 8th graders. IMSA offers these sessions at their campus in Aurora.

DuPage ROE Tech/AI Conference - June 18, 2026

SAVE the DATE! This year's summit focuses on strengthening schools through technology and parternship ensuring every educator has the support needed to thrive. More information to come.

RESOURCES

Bring the Winter Olympics to Your Classroom

These PBS videos can be a great introduction to numerous STEM topics, from angles and geometry to friction, momentum, and inertia.

Lunar New Year Resources

Celebrate the Lunar New Year and Year of the Horse with lesson and activity ideas from Science Buddies.

DuPage ROE STEM Squad Is Here to Support You

Each school year presents intriguing opportunities to integrate new STEM ideas and activities. The STEM Squad can partner with you in a number of ways, from planning to implementation. Explore a few of these listed below. Thinking of something not included? Simply ask and we will do our best to see how we can help. Email Dr. Mary Biniewicz.

STEM - It's Elementary - various topics for grades K-5
After School Outreach - various topics for grades 6-8
STEM Trunks - geared toward K-12
Plus we offer a website with numerouse resources; can facilitate an activity at your STEM Event; and may be able to assist you in planning your event.