Scouting America and Illinois State Museum team up for STEAM workshops
The Abraham Lincoln Council of Scouting America is partnering with the Illinois State Museum to present a monthly series of STEM workshops with engaging hands-on experiences for boys and girls ages 5–11. Programs will be offered one Saturday each month in September, October and November. After a holiday break, they will resume in February, March and April. All sessions will be held at the Illinois State Museum, 502 S. Spring St. The series will kick off Saturday, Sept. 6.
All workshops are from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Activities will be structured based on age, and students will be grouped accordingly. There will be STEM activities in a classroom setting organized by Scouting America as well as activities throughout the museum and opportunities to engage with the museum’s exhibits.
“The workshops are designed to ignite curiosity, encourage hands-on learning and foster a deeper understanding of STEAM principles in a creative and engaging way,” said Ashley Beasley, STEM director for the Abraham Lincoln Council of Scouting America.
Dates and themes are:
Sept. 6 – Coding Unplugged Activities will teach coding concepts through interactive games, puzzles and team challenges. No screens are needed for this fun, hands-on session.
Oct. 4 – Robotics Kids will explore programming and problem-solving using Spheros and Ozobots – fun, interactive robots they can code and control.
Nov. 8 – Mad Scientists This is a high-energy STEM event where kids become junior scientists, mixing, bubbling and blasting their way through fun, hands-on science activities. Curiosity, creativity and a little “madness” are all part of the fun.
Feb. 14 – Forensics Kids will step into the shoes of a young detective to explore the world of forensic science through hands-on activities such as fingerprinting, mystery solving and simple experiments. Perfect for curious kids who love puzzles, clues and a little bit of science magic.
March 14 – Simple Machines Participants will discover how things move by exploring simple machines such as levers, pulleys and wheels through fun experiments and creative building challenges. Ideal for young inventors who love to tinker, build and explore how everyday objects work.
April 11 – Digging in the Past Kids will become junior paleontologists and travel back in time to explore the world of dinosaurs and fossils. Digging for “fossils,” examining prehistoric clues, and learning amazing facts about dinosaurs are all part of the fun for curious kids who like getting their hands a little dirty.
For more information and to register for one or all of the programs, go to https://scoutingevent.com/144-96557. The cost is $30 per program or $150 for all six sessions. There is a discount for scouts from the Abraham Lincoln Council ($25 per program or $130 for all six sessions).
Kidzeum offers STEAM after-school program
Beginning Monday, Aug. 18, and extending throughout the 2025-26 school year, the Kidzeum, 412 E. Adams St., will offer a STEAM after-school program that encourages curiosity, creativity and confidence in a supportive, engaging environment. The program is targeted at children in first through fourth grades. It is offered Monday through Friday from 3:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., immediately after school dismissal, and will follow the District 186 school calendar.
Each day of the week is dedicated to a different area of STEAM – science, technology, engineering, art and math. The program is all about giving students ongoing opportunities to explore new skills, think critically and engage in hands-on learning all year long.
Families can register for the full program or choose one or more specific days of the week based on their child’s interests. This is ideal for a consistent and enriching experience throughout the school year. Children are grouped by age to ensure developmentally appropriate engagement.
Each day includes a structured schedule with time for snack, free time that may be used for homework and hands-on STEAM activities. There is no program on days when District 186 schools are closed. On early dismissal days, the program will begin at the adjusted school dismissal time.
Each day of the week has a specific theme:
Monday – Science Day
Dive into the world of experiments, discoveries and curious questions. From simple chemical reactions to exploring the human body, Mondays are all about exploring how the world works.
Tuesday – Technology Day Learn about the tech that powers our world. Students will get hands-on with beginner coding, digital challenges and explore exciting tools such as 3D printing.
Wednesday – Engineering Day Build it, test it, tweak it. Students will design and construct using everyday materials – bridges, towers, marble runs and more – while developing their problem-solving and teamwork skills.
Thursday – Art Day Unleash creativity with drawing, painting, sculpting and mixed-media projects. Thursdays focus on imagination and expression while highlighting the “A” in STEAM.
Friday – Math Day Make math meaningful with puzzles, games, patterns and challenges. Students will strengthen their number skills through activities and math-based board games that make learning fun and collaborative.
For more information, including cost, and to register, visit https://kidzeum.org/education/after-school-programs.
This article appears in Parent Fall 2025.
