New this Month - July 2026

Join a unique, cross-agency professional learning session designed to support Illinois educators in implementing the climate change education requirements outlined in Public Act 103-0837 on August 10, 2026, from 4:00-5:30 pm. This virtual experience brings together expertise from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA), Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Illinois Climate Education Hub, and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). This is the first in a series for the 2026-2027 school year dealing with climate change. Registration required at https://apps.isbe.net/pdplus/index.html#/educator-activity-reg?id=22921. 

2026 - 2027 Illinois Department of Natural Resources Historic Sites Field Trip Grant 
Application deadline September 30, 2026.

2027 Illinois Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant application
There is a new option for schools only in Chicago and East St. Louis metro areas that have no soil on their school grounds. Option 3 has strict guidelines and has native plants in pots. Option 3 will open later this month. Application deadline December 2, 2026.

2027 Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant application 
Application deadline February 1, 2027.

One fish and two fishes! Explore fish biology, habitats, and adaptations as we delve into the wet world they live in. Discover the watery world of Illinois fishes by catching your own fish to study. Come dressed for the weather and bring a hat. We will explore the fishes of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River and look at the impact invasive species are having on them. This workshop is for educators in K-12. Supplemental classroom resources and materials will be provided. Professional Development Hours are available.

They buzz, flutter, crawl, and play a critical role in maintaining ecosystems and the human food supply. Learn about the importance of pollination, the identification of Illinois pollinators, and the challenges they face in the modern world. 

What are fungi and how do they live? Explore the complex lives of fungi of Illinois. Found all over Illinois, they are diverse and fascinating. Explore the different types of fungi in Illinois, the life cycle, importance in the environment, and a few of the animals that live among them. If weather permits, we will take a fungus walk to see what we can find!

ENTICE workshops provide background information, networking opportunities, hands-on lessons, supplemental resources on the topic and the opportunity to work with resources professionals. Professional Development Hours are available. Correlations to relevant Next Generation Science Standards and/or Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards are provided. Shown below is a list of upcoming workshops through June 2026. Visit https://www.enticeworkshops.com for details, the complete list of workshops and to register. Experience ENTICE!

They buzz, flutter, crawl, and play a critical role in maintaining ecosystems and the human food supply. Learn about the importance of pollination, the identification of Illinois pollinators, and the challenges they face in the modern world. 

Discover the special place oak trees have in the history of Illinois and local ecosystems. Used by surveyors in the early 1800s, witness, or bearing trees, were sought out as landmarks for creating the earliest state land surveys and plat maps. Some of these trees are still standing today and can be used as a lens to bridge the gap between science and social studies. Through a variety of activities, learn the role these trees played in the urbanization of Illinois, why they are still important today, and how oak trees are critical to local ecosystems. Then complete a STEM-based learning project to catalog potential witness trees and conduct a tree survey. Take ideas back to the classroom to get your students engaged in similar data collection projects at school. Major portions of this program will be outdoors, and participants should dress for the weather.

Explore early French Fur Trapping History at Illinois at Isle a la Cache. This interdisciplinary teaching unit for educators of grades four through eight focuses on early exploration and settlement, riparian and geography of early Illinois and compares trapping from the past to the present. Both Illinois science and social studies standards are covered. The activities and lessons are designed to supplement Illinois history and science instruction and includes the uses of wildlife by Indigenous peoples and the trappers who came from Europe. Also highlighted is the conservation movement and how it affects views and uses of wildlife today. Educators of other grade levels are welcome to register and attend the workshop but may need to adapt the materials as appropriate.

Flap your wings to the Morton Arboretum and explore animal structures and adaptations using a variety of activities with the theme of birds. Participants will explore several examples of different birds' feathers, participate in an interactive lab that examines beak adaptations, a hands-on exploration of bird's feet, and so much more! Participants will walk away with indoor and outdoor activities relatable to bird adaptations. Although targeted to teachers of grades fifth through eighth grade, all educators are welcome to register for the workshop, but the information may need to be adapted, as appropriate.

One fish and two fishes! Explore fish biology, habitats, and adaptations as we delve into the wet world they live in. Discover the watery world of Illinois fishes by catching your own fish to study. Come dressed for the weather and bring a hat. We will explore the fishes of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River and look at the impact invasive species are having on them. This workshop is for educators in K-12. Supplemental classroom resources and materials will be provided. Professional Development Hours are available.

They buzz, flutter, and crawl and play a critical role in maintaining ecosystems. Educators of grades kindergarten through eight are invited to register for this workshop to learn about the importance of pollinators, the identification of Illinois pollinators, and the challenges they face today. Educators will take a walk through the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's demonstration prairie to think about the ways that native ecosystems support these valuable pollinators. Correlations between the information presented and Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards and Next Generation Science Standards will be addressed. Teachers of other grade levels are welcome to register for this workshop but may need to adapt the materials for their students, as appropriate.

What are fungi and how do they live? Explore the complex lives of fungi of Illinois. Found all over Illinois, they are diverse and fascinating. Explore the different types of fungi in Illinois, the life cycle, importance in the environment, and a few of the animals that live among them. If weather permits, we will take a fungus walk to see what we can find!

What is weather and climate, and how does it relate to climate change? How are Illinois species being affected? Learn more about the science behind climate, weather, and climate change. Explore which species will be the losers and the winners with what is happening. Explore ways to help students understand this challenging and complicated topic that is in the headlines. Learn some ways you can incorporate some citizen science in your classroom to help students explore what is going on in their backyard. Targeted for grades PreK-12.

Explore the biological tapestry of the Lake Michigan dune ecosystem and understand what biological session is about. How does something take root on the sand and become stable? How do animals survive in this area? How does change happen over time? Learn more about biological session what is happening on the beach at Lake Michigan. This area is the only dune and swale topography in Illinois.

Birds are all around us and provide a gateway to learning about the natural world. This workshop for educators of 5th-12th grade provides an introduction to bird biology, identification, and conservation. Dress for spending time in the forest and prairie at Tawny Oaks Field Station. 

Fall is a great season for young children to explore nature! There is so much to see and learn. Join us to discover what nature can tell us in fall. We?ll take a hike to put our knowledge to work and will feature the Field Trip Pack from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. We'll be incorporating several topics. Although targeted to grades prekindergarten through three, all educators are welcome to register for the workshop, but the information may need to be adapted, as appropriate.

Explore early French Fur Trapping History of Illinois. This interdisciplinary teaching unit for educators of grades four through eight focuses on early exploration and settlement, riparian and geography of early Illinois and compares trapping from the past to the present. Both Illinois science and social studies standards are covered. The activities and lessons are designed to supplement Illinois history and science instruction and includes the uses of wildlife by Indigenous peoples and the trappers who came from Europe. Also highlighted is the conservation movement and how it affects views and uses of wildlife today. Educators of other grade levels are welcome to register and attend the workshop but may need to adapt the materials as appropriate.

The world is full of objects built by animals to help them survive. Attend this workshop for educators of grades prekindergarten through five and learn about beaver dams, spider webs, bird nests and so many other amazing objects constructed by animals in our local environment. Challenge the engineering skills of your students to create similar structures by using the resources provided and activities presented at the workshop. All educators are welcome to register for the workshop, but the information may need to be adapted, as appropriate.

Discover how to bring the fascinating world of Illinois mammals into your early childhood classroom! This hands-on workshop, designed specifically for early childhood educators, will explore ways to connect young learners with local wildlife through observation, play, and exploration. Participants will learn about common mammals found in Illinois, their tracks and signs, and seasonal behaviors. We'll spend time outdoors investigating habitats and modeling activities you can easily replicate with your students.

Check out these field trip sites and ways to connect with IDNR. See what they offer for teachers during this school year! 

Chicago: Jonathan Schlesinger at DNR.urbanfishing.Chicago@Illinois.gov. Chicago teachers who are interested in Urban Fishing Program can fill out this interest form https://forms.gle/ynb8PqtmBdy5S8fu6  

Northern Illinois: north of I-80, includes cities surrounding Chicago, Rockford, Moline, and Rock Island, Frank Sladek at Frank.Sladek@Illinois.gov.

Central Illinois: south of I-80 and north of I-70 (not including Alton/Grafton), includes cities of Quincy, Macomb, Peoria, Springfield, Champaign, Decatur, Danville, and Bloomington, Van Grissom at Van.Grissom@Illinois.gov.

Southern Illinois: South of I-70, including Alton, Edwardsville, Mt. Vernon, Carbondale, East Cape Girardeau, and Cairo please contact Scott Isringhausen at Scott.Isringhausen@Illinois.gov

In addition to scheduled tours, our walk-in visitor’s center is open every day from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, with several informational displays and windows overlooking the production areas of the hatchery. All ages are welcome, and tours are completely free! For more information on public tours, please call the hatchery at 309-968-7531.

For more information on the hatchery, visit https://ifishillinois.org/programs/hatchery.html or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JakeWolfHatchery/.

Check out family and children programs at https://www.illinoisstatemuseum.org/welcome-ism-springfield/ism-springfield-upcoming-events.html

Everything is free, vetted by educators and scientists, and aligned to state standards. Check it out at https://illinoisclimateeducation.org/ Check out the 3 free climate modules and other professional development at https://illinoisclimateeducation.org/professional-development.

You can find the July 2026 DoIT STEAM Newsletter Volume 67 online now. You can view this volume as well as previous volumes directly on the DoIT STEAM Newsletter webpage. Additional resources can be found on the DoIT STEAM website.  

Additional resources can be found on the DoIT STEAM website.   If you have any questions or comments, please email DoiT STREAM at DoIT.Steam@Illinois.gov.  

Check out their three FREE and virtual trainings at https://www.ianetwork.org/distance-learning-sessions-2/. They have resources and other information available at https://www.ianetwork.org/. For more information, please contact Gwyndolyn Moss at gmoss@ianetwork.org. 

Check out 2 professional development with Champaign County Forest Preserve.
Link to Registration: Activity detail | Champaign County Forest Preserve

Teaching With and About Native Americans Professional Development is a professional learning opportunity from Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy offered in partnership with Champaign County Forest Preserves.

Understanding Native Peoples’ histories, cultures, and contemporary issues is essential to a comprehensive education about the United States. A recent amendment to the Illinois School Code now requires U.S. history instruction to include Native Americans’ roles, contributions, sovereignty, and self-determination.

This professional learning experience prepares educators across subject areas to meet this mandate by deepening their knowledge and strengthening their practice in teaching with and about Native Peoples by centering their voices, perspectives, and presence into the future.

Contact hours offered: 6 CEU.

Learning from the Land Educator Workshop: Join the Forest Preserves and Ironhide Bison Ranch for a two-day professional development workshop designed to bring the prairie to life for educators. Through immersive, hands-on experiences, participants will explore the ecology of bison as a keystone species, the rich biodiversity of the tallgrass prairie, and the deep cultural and historical significance of bison in North America.

• August 6 takes place at Ironhide Bison Ranch and includes a guided tour, opportunities to see live bison up close, and activities that model field trips experiences for students.
• August 7 continues at the Museum of the Grand Prairie, where educators will connect prairie science to classroom instruction through interactive activities, curriculum-ready resources, and explorations of Indigenous perspectives and historical relationships with bison.

Participants will leave this two-day training with practical tools, new content knowledge, and ready-to-use lessons to engage students in meaningful, place-based learning.