Bright Futures
Electrify your mind with STEM Outreach and your local library!
Throughout the spring, community members can participate in hands-on events and activities at NIU and local libraries throughout DeKalb County to learn about concepts and careers in science, electricity, and electrical engineering. In addition to these activities, Bright Futures also provides snap circuit and green energy kits as well as books, DVDs, and other materials about electricity to the permanent collection of circulation materials for DeKalb Public Library, Sycamore Public Library, Cortland Community Library, and Hinckley Public Library District.
This program is sponsored by a generous grant from the DeKalb County Community Foundation.
Upcoming Events for Spring 2013
All events are free and open to the public. Check back soon for dates and times of programs at libraries throughout DeKalb County.
February
- Kick off at local libraries-
NIU STEM Outreach’s Jeremy Benson will electrify you with hair raising Van de Graff Generator, 15,000 volt lightning producing Jacob's ladder, the electrified pickle, and much more. Librarians will demonstrate new snap circuits and describe the related materials available for check-out. This event is for students of all ages.
February 11– Sycamore Library at 4PM
February 14– Cortland Library at 4PM
February 15– Hinckley Library at 4PM
February 20– DeKalb Library at 6:30PM
March
-
Squishy Circuits Activity at local libraries-
Experiment with play-dough, wires, and batteries at your local library and learn the basic principles of electricity and circuits. This activity are for elementary and middle school students. Younger children are welcomed with parent supervision.
March 18– Sycamore Library at 4PM
March 20 – DeKalb Library at 6:30PM
March 21- Cortland Library at 4PM
March 22– Hinckley Library at 4PM
- Tour of the Engineering Building at NIU-
Don’t miss out on another opportunity! Come to NIU, check out the Engineering Building, and engage in a hands-on activity. This activity is for students of all ages.
March 23- Engineering Building at 12PM
April
- Fun with Wind Energy-
Join NIU Environmental, Sustainability, & Energy’s, Melissa Burlingame and STEM Outreach’s, Pati Sievert, to discuss alternative energy, and then make and test miniature windmills. This activity is for elementary and middle school students. Younger children are welcomed with parent supervision.
April 30- Engineering Building at 7PM
May
- Electric Art Lab at NIU-
Families are invited to see how artists work with light and electricity and then apply basic concepts of electronics and circuitry to make some electric art of their own. This free, hands-on activity lab will be presented by professional artists and physicists from NIU’s Time Arts - Design and Media Arts Department, NIU STEM Outreach, and the Digital Convergence Lab. This activity are for children who are 10 and up.
May 11- NIU Faraday Hall at 12PM (noon) - View map to Faraday Hall and parking
June
- Electricity Fair-
Electrofy your mind with energy and electricity demonstrations, hands-on activities, info on clean, green energy initiatives, electrocuted hotdogs and pickles, and much more. This event is for all ages.
June 6- DeKalb Public Library
