For this Spotlight, we welcome Brian Smith, Director of Employee Well-Being at Northern Illinois University. With over 25 years of counseling experience, Brian shares insights on mental health, workplace wellness, and the power of hope in building resilience. Discover how humor, self-awareness, and trust play crucial roles in team dynamics and personal growth. Whether you're navigating stress, leadership challenges, or simply seeking balance, this conversation offers valuable strategies for fostering well-being in all aspects of life.

For this Spotlight, we are excited to welcome Kiki Prottsman, a computer science educator and advocate who believes coding is "productive art." From her early days tinkering with a kitchen computer to shaping Microsoft MakeCode, Kiki shares how computational thinking empowers learners—and why AI literacy matters now more than ever. Discover her playful, unplugged teaching methods and why making mistakes is key to innovation.

Join hosts Russ Devereaux and Jess Winn as they sit down with Samuel Bello, a Fulbright Scholar and linguist from Colombia, for an inspiring conversation about language, culture, and identity. Samuel shares his journey from teaching in Indigenous communities to studying English linguistics in the U.S., offering profound insights into multilingualism, language revitalization, and the power of education. Discover how language shapes our world, the importance of preserving Indigenous languages, and why embracing cultural roots matters more than ever. Whether you're a language enthusiast, educator, or simply curious about global perspectives, this episode will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of human communication.

In this conversation from the STEAM Studio, hosts Dr. Kristin Brynteson and Dr. Lori Hensold sit down with educators Jess Winn (NIU Steam) and Kari Harris (Illinois MTSS Network) to explore the powerful connection between student engagement and behavior. Drawing from their extensive classroom and coaching experiences, Jess and Kari share practical strategies for fostering engagement, addressing common barriers like time constraints and teacher confidence, and creating a safe, student-centered learning environment. Whether you're a teacher, administrator, or instructional coach, this conversation offers valuable insights on proactive approaches to behavior management through meaningful engagement.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jess Winn, STEAM educator, and lifelong learner, as we explore how curiosity transforms classrooms. From teaching in Alaska’s national parks to developing migrant education programs in Illinois, Jess shares how she helps students—and teachers—find their voice through hands-on, meaningful learning. Whether you’re an educator seeking fresh ideas or just love stories about unconventional career paths (physical therapy to spy camp instructor?!), this episode is packed with humor, heart, and actionable insights.

In this episode of STEAM Spotlight, we sit down with April Startzel, STEAM Program Coordinator and educator, to explore the behind-the-scenes work of creating dynamic, functional, and safe maker spaces.

April shares her insights on designing classrooms that foster creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning—from equipment selection and layout to safety protocols and supply management. Whether you're an educator planning a new maker space or looking to optimize an existing one, April’s expertise offers valuable lessons on balancing innovation with practicality. Tune in for tips on organization, safety, and how to keep the spirit of curiosity alive in every learner!

Join hosts Kristin Brynteson and Russ Devereaux as they welcome Beth McGowan (Curator of Rare Books at NIU) and Melissa Adams-Campbell (Professor of English) to explore NIU’s Book Lab—a hands-on space where history, technology, and the future of books collide. Discover rare first editions, a replica 18th-century printing press, and how students are learning the art of bookmaking. From medieval manuscripts to AI’s impact on publishing, this episode dives into why books matter—then, now, and tomorrow.

Don’t miss the Book Lab’s Open House on April 28th!

Join hosts Dr. Kristin Brynteson and Dr. Lori Hensold as they welcome Laura Williams, a 21st-century learning specialist, to explore authentic learning and Agile classrooms. Laura breaks down her "authentic learning litmus test"—connecting students with experts, creating real-world deliverables, and using industry processes like Agile—while sharing inspiring examples of student-driven projects. Discover how to foster engagement, collaboration, and reflection in the classroom, and hear about Laura’s book and free resources at authenticlearningalliance.org. A must-listen for educators ready to transform learning into meaningful, student-centered experiences!

Laura will also be keynoting the NIU Engaged Learning Conference on June 20th—learn more at steam.niu.edu