STEM Fest 2021

Saturday, October 23 from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.

Sign up for our newsletter for detailed updates.

All visitors to STEM Fest are required to follow NIU’s health and safety policy. Visit our Protecting the Pack website for details.

What is STEM Fest?

STEM Fest is a FREE in-person event every October that celebrates science, technology, engineering and math with hands-activities, exhibits and talks.

STEM Fest is held in the heart of NIU’s DeKalb central campus in the Holmes Student Center, MLK Commons and Founders Memorial Library.

Parking is available for free in any lot on campus on the day of STEM Fest. (Do not park in any space marked “Reserved.”) A parking map is available here.

Register your bus group to make arrangements and help you plan for a great day! Buses should drop off participants at the East Entrance of the Holmes Student Center.

Request disability-related accommodations by contacting Judith Dymond at jdymond@niu.edu or 815-753-4751. Advance notice is appreciated. STEM Fest FAQ.

Volunteer at STEM Fest! 

We need your help to make STEM Fest a success. If you’re a student, alum or community member, sign up now. Volunteer Today!

STEM Fest Celebration

STEM Fest Celebration is a fun-filled day of hands-on activities, presentations by top scientists, explorations of STEM careers, exhibits and demo shows. You’ll learn about all kinds of STEM-based topics including:

• computer science
• physics
• virtual design
• atmosphere
• space and weather

• coding and esports
• math
• engineering
• nature
• robotics

• electricity
• energy
• gravity
• health
• and so much more

Exhibitors

We’re looking for exhibitors to join us in 2021. Whether you’re an NIU student organization, department or program or a community group, company or organization, you’re invited to participate! Folks of all ages will attend STEM Fest, so as long as your have something STEM-related to share with our audience, you’re welcome to apply.

We’re looking for exhibitors to join us in 2021. Whether you’re an NIU student organization, department or program or a community group, company or organization, you’re invited to participate! Folks of all ages will attend STEM Fest, so as long as your have something STEM-related to share with our audience, you’re welcome to apply. Exhibit at STEM Fest

Become a STEM Fest Sponsor

You can be a STEM Fest Supporter! Your generous sponsorship reaches thousands of students, children and adults and helps make this annual event possible. As a sponsor, your name and logo will be featured on digital content including the STEM Fest website and STEM Fest social media. We look forward to talking with you soon about sponsorship of STEM Fest. Please contact NIU STEAM director of development, Judith Dymond, Ed.D. at niusteam@niu.edu at your convenience and let’s get started! Become a sponsor! Learn more about sponsor levels.

STEM Fest by the numbers

As we gear up for year 12 of STEM Fest, we’re thrilled that this flagship event has helped to inspire so many people over the years.

• Since 2010, STEM Fest has welcomed:
  • More than 50,000 attendees.
  • Over 1,200 exhibits.
  • More than 7,000 NIU volunteers.
• Local scouts have earned over 5,000 patches.
• The year of highest attendance was 2019, with almost 8,000 people – and 96% said they planned to come back!
• The year with largest social media reach was 2020 with more than 80,000 reached.

We’re grateful for the participation of our external partners – NASA, Argonne National Labs, Fermilab, Morton Arboretum and the Rockford Park District, as well as the dedication of our long-term sponsors – Ideal Industries, Thermo Fisher, Ecolab, ComEd and Nicor.