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

January 2026

NEWS

Challenges Persist for CTE Programs

The YouScience report indicates that some 40% of programs struggle to find employer partnerships and 66% of the CTE leaders say students lack awareness of options available to them.

Molex and FIRST Robotics Create Connections for Life

With its support of FIRST Robotics, Molex, with locations in Lisle and worldwide, advances its commitment to global innnovation while strengthening the world's STEM talent pipeline. Enjoy the video highlighting this program.

2025 Codementum Coding Competition Results

The competition occurred during Computer Science Education Week in December 2025. Coding competitions were offered to students in grades K-12. Over 144,000 students from 136 countries participated. The United States had the top overall average score!

Behind the Scenes at SCARCE - January 19, 2026 at 1 pm

SCARCE will be open and would love to show you around! See the Education Center where SCARCE hosts programs. Learn about donations and the vast array of classroom materials available for purchase in the Reuse Center. There is no charge for the tour but registration is required. And, be sure to shop after the tour!

EngineerGirl Contest Is NOT Just for Girls - Submissions due February 1, 2026

Students entering the contest will use art and the engineering design process to express how engineers create a better world! The contest is open to youth in grades 3-12. Submissions have a chance to win up to $1,000! The submission deadline is February 1, 2026. Get the details at EngineerTeen.org/Contest.

Science of Soccer Activities and Webinar - February 24, 2026

The Franklin Institute has developed a suite of four activities about the science of soccer. Register for the webinar to learn how to access and utilize these free activities.

Science Buddies Engineering Challenge - February 22 to March 31, 2026

Can you build a ramp out of just paper and tape and adjust the speed of the ball moving down the path? Students in grades K-12 are invited to participate in the 2026 challenge. Results must be submitted by March 31, 2026. To learn more, click here.

County-Wide Institute Day - February 27, 2026

If you have not yet registered for a County-Wide Institute Day STEM program, don't miss out! Exciting math, science, and STEM sessions are available. Hurry - seats are limited! Review the program here.

Teacher Innovator Institute - Summer 2026

The Teacher Innovator Institute is sponsored by the National Air and Space Museum and offers middle school teachers a two-week professional devlopment experience. Learn more about eligibility and how to apply.

Microscopes Available at SCARCE!

SCARCE has several AmScope student microscopes. Some are AC powered and some are battery powered. All of them have been checked out, cleaned, and calibrated. Online, the microscopes go for $110 each but they are ready and waiting for you at SCARCE for only $10 each. Feel free to contact Jean Kent at Jean@scarce.org for more information.

The Daily Atom

Are you interested in daily facts and trivia about interesting animals and science phenomena? For example, did you know that when dropped on a hard surface, raw cranberries bounce? And, why do think cranberries float? The Daily Atom newsletter can be used for class starters, individual exploration, enhancing lessons, and more. Register here.

AI Policies - A Podcast with Amanda Bickerstaff

How do we responsibly manage AI use in schools? The Learning Technology Center (LTC) offers this podcast that represents a shift from policing plagiarism to building AI literacy for life. Listen here.

Six Ways to Encourage and Inspire Girls in STEM in 2026

The National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) offers six powerful but simple ways to continue to encourage and inspire girls in STEM. And, for each idea, relevant resources are provided to help put the strategies into action. For a limited time, you can request a curated set of encouragement cards to spark confidence, creativity, and a sense of belonging in STEM.

Creating a Class Cookbook to Inspire Critical Thinking in Math

Students share their favortie recipes and practice problem solving strategies in this project. Learn how this teacher integrated important skills that apply to many other areas.

The DuPage ROE STEM Squad Is Here to Support You

The STEM Squad can partner with you in a number of ways, from helping you plan a lesson to facilitating activities at your STEM event. Explore just a few ideas listed below. Thinking of something not on the list? Simply ask and we will do our best to assist. Email Dr. Mary Biniewicz.

• STEM - It's Elementary in-classroom sessions on various topics for grades K-5
• After School Outreach Student Workshops on various topics for grades 6-8
• STEM Trunks - with classroom sets of STEM kits geared toward K-12
• Facilitating activities at your STEM event
• A website with numerous resources and ideas.

STEM Celebrations and Themes

Plan ahead for these upcoming STEM events.

STEMsational Learning in DuPage County

Enjoy the photos of some of the opportunities supported by the DuPage ROE STEM Squad.