Spotlight--Research Talk with Dr. Bill Martin

Big Ideas, Small Teams: The Magic of Film Camp

In this episode of the STEAM Studio Podcast, host April Startzel sits down with Michael Corvino, lead instructor of NIU’s summer film production camp, to explore what makes this fast-paced, creative program so impactful. Michael shares his unique dual role at NIU supporting technology across campus while teaching audio and video production. Michael explains how those experiences shaped the film camp he’s helped lead for over a decade.

Mwahaha! Creating Monsters in the Book Lab

In this episode of the Steam Studio Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Melissa Adams Campbell, professor of English at Northern Illinois University, to explore how literature, creativity, and technology collide in her innovative Monsters and Makers upcoming summer camp. Dr. Melissa Adams Campbell (NIU) shares how her Monsters and Makers camp blends Frankenstein, hands-on bookmaking, and digital design to explore creativity, ethics, and emerging technologies like AI. From printing presses to collaborative monster-building, discover how students read, create, and reimagine what it means to be human in a rapidly changing world.

Spotlight--How DeKalb Students Turned Local Insight into Real-World Innovation

In this episode, we hear from students in DeKalb High School’s Environmental Club as they reflect on their experience in the NIU STEAM Innovation Challenge. Just weeks after competing, they share how they created a solution to reduce microplastics in agriculture by designing a biodegradable seed coating made from chitosan. Working outside of a traditional classroom, the team balanced busy schedules, met after school and at the library, and completed most of their project in a fast-paced final stretch. Their approach was entirely research-driven, relying on scientific literature and real-world examples rather than hands-on experimentation. The conversation highlights what made their experience unique, including their focus on a locally relevant problem in a farming community, their flexible and collaborative workflow, and the challenges of limited time and resources. Students also reflect on what they would improve, such as starting earlier, exploring more creative presentation formats, and connecting with industry mentors. More broadly, this episode showcases how the Innovation Challenge helps students move beyond classroom learning to solve real-world problems, build teamwork skills, and see the impact of science in action.

Spotlight--Romeoville High School Innovators Solving Real World Problems

In this episode, Romeoville students share their award-winning experience at the NIU STEAM Innovation Challenge, where they earned first and third place by tackling antibiotic resistance and microplastic pollution. They discuss how understanding the problem, conducting research, and refining ideas led to innovative solutions, while also highlighting the importance of teamwork, time management, and persistence. Students reflect on the challenges of making ideas both scientifically sound and financially feasible, and how they learned to communicate and market their concepts effectively. The conversation also reveals the critical role of mentorship and the value of connecting student innovation with real world industry insight. As these students move forward into careers in medicine, engineering, and business, they remain driven by one core belief: ideas fuel innovation and create future opportunities.

Spotlight--Sprinting Through Centuries: A Conversation with Dr. Duckett

In this episode of the NIU STEAM Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Duckett, Director of the Black Studies Program at Northern Illinois University, to explore Black history through a global lens and to spotlight the upcoming Sankofa Summer Institute: Learning from the Past, Shaping the Future. Dr. Duckett shares her journey in Black Studies, discusses the importance of pre colonial African history, and explains how culture, music, movement, and symbolism carry knowledge across generations. We dive into what makes this summer camp a unique, hands on, immersive experience and why it is open and meaningful for students of all backgrounds.