Shows
Northern Illinois University Presents: The STEAM StudioSpotlight--Kiki ProttsmanFor 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.2025-05-0840 min
Northern Illinois University Presents: The STEAM StudioSpotlight--Samuel Bello 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...2025-05-0155 min
Northern Illinois University Presents: The STEAM StudioA Conversation--How Engagement Can Improve BehaviorIn 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.2025-04-2436 min
Northern Illinois University Presents: The STEAM StudioSpotlight--Jess WinnJoin 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.2025-04-1720 min
Northern Illinois University Presents: The STEAM StudioSpotlight--Making a Maker Space with April StartzelIn 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 aliv...2025-04-1029 min
Northern Illinois University Presents: The STEAM StudioSpotlight--NIU Book Lab with Dr. Beth McGowan & Dr. Melissa Adams-CampbellJoin 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!2025-04-0328 min
Northern Illinois University Presents: The STEAM StudioSpotlight--Laura WilliamsJoin 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 Confer...2025-03-2837 min
Northern Illinois University Presents: The STEAM StudioSpotlight--Chef Bryan FlowerIn this episode of The STEAM Studio, we spotlight Chef Bryan Flower, the visionary behind Edible Campus at Northern Illinois University. Bryan shares his journey from a culinary career to leading innovative food systems initiatives, which aim to create a sustainable, educational, and community-focused food ecosystem. We dive into the importance of food literacy, combating food insecurity, and the transformative power of locally sourced, nutrient-dense foods. Bryan also introduces the Food Systems Innovation Challenge, a platform for students to tackle real-world food supply chain issues. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the future of food, health, and sustainability!2025-03-1437 min
Northern Illinois University Presents: The STEAM StudioSpotlight--Dr. Bryan Dallas In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Bryan Dallas, a passionate advocate for students with disabilities and a key figure behind the transformative Huskies BELONG summer camp program at Northern Illinois University (NIU). Dr. Dallas shares his journey from working in disability support services to creating a groundbreaking initiative that helps high school students with disabilities explore STEM careers, transition to college, and build self-advocacy skills. Learn how Huskies BELONG provides a year-long college immersion experience, including a week-long summer camp, mentorship, and career exploration—all designed to empower students to succeed in higher education and beyond. Tune in...2025-03-1430 min
Northern Illinois University Presents: The STEAM StudioSpotlight--Dr. Lori HensoldIn this episode, Kristin chats with Dr. Lori Hensold, an education expert with over 25 years of experience in MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) and RTI (Response to Intervention). Lori discusses her work at Northern Illinois University, the importance of MTSS in meeting diverse student needs, and how it integrates with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). They also highlight their collaboration on the NIU Engaged Learning Conference, sharing insights on professional development, student engagement, and the future of holistic education. Tune in to learn how MTSS and STEAM can create inclusive, effective learning environments.Resources:...2025-03-1226 min
Northern Illinois University Presents: The STEAM StudioSpotlight--Dr. Kristin Brynteson For this STEAM Spotlight we interview Dr. Kristin Brynteson, the Director of STEAM. Kristin leads efforts to support interdisciplinary STEAM education and technology integration through regional and statewide professional development programs and annual events such as the STEAMing It Up Conference. Kristin also works with state partners to support educators as they use data, technology and open educational resources to support student success. For over 20 years, Kristin has enjoyed helping in-service and pre-service teachers become fearless with technology while they explore innovative ways to impact student learning. She is a former industrial engineer with a M.S. in instructional...2025-03-1134 min
Northern Illinois University Presents: The STEAM StudioThe STEAM Studio TrailerThe STEAM Studio will inspire, educate, and entertain, offering fresh perspectives that spark curiosity, celebrate achievement, and explore the extraordinary in STEAM. Tune in weekly to The STEAM Studio and find your curiosity within every episode. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help others discover our shows. You can listen on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Join us as we explore, celebrate, and inspire the world of STEAM!2024-11-1902 min