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A set of computational thinking and mathematics materials are now available from the Creative Technology Reasearch Lab (CTRL). These materials were created by teachers at Kenwood Elementary School with collaboration and support from University of Illinois faculty and staff. Check out these materials on the CTRL website!

For the eighth year, the University of Illinois Department of Physics is bringing "Science at the Market" on selected Saturday mornings to Urbana's Market at the Square. Various U of I and other experts will be on hand each week with demonstrations illustrating the science they represent and to answer questions from the public about the researchers' disciplines.

For example, you may learn about:

• What birds and other animals live in Champaign-Urbana parks
• Floating superconductors
• Solar flares via solar telescopes
• Pants that don't stain thanks to nanotechnology
• 3-D printing by the Illinois Geometry Lab (IGL)
• Lizards and other animals shown by the Graduate Students in
• Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (GEEB)
• And a lot about bees, bumblebees, and pollination on Polinators' Saturdays

August 2017 Schedule:

• August 5, 2017: The University of Illinois Mechanical Science and Engineering
• August 12, 2017: Ctrl-Z Robotics FRC team #4096
• August 19, 2017: Photonics - University of Illinois student chapters of the Optical Society of America, of the Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers, and of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• August 26, 2017: Staerkel Planetarium /CU Astronomy Club

Join us on Saturday, June 17, 2017 for the third annual BeeBlitz, taking place at the beginning of National Pollinator Week!

All residents of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio are invited to canvas their backyards and neighborhoods for bees, snap some pics, and upload them to BeeSpotter on Saturday, June 17th. The name BeeBlitz is derived from a BioBlitz, an activity in which all of the biodiversity in a specific area is examined, to provide a snapshot in time of the flora and fauna present. BeeSpotter wants to know what species of honey & bumble bees are seen, and where they are, on the 17th. We encourage veteran and aspiring bee spotters alike to venture out on a nature walk and participate in the blitz.

We have a number of BeeBlitz events scheduled throughout the day for the Champaign-Urbana area. You can help us plan by letting us know you're interested, though you're welcome to participate even if you don't sign up in advance. BeeBlitz events will take place at the Pollinatarium, Meadowbrook Park, and another local prairie to be determined the day of the blitz.

You can find out more about the event on the BeeBlitz webpage.

Whether you're joining us at the Pollinatarium, coordinating a BeeBlitz in your own area, or venturing out on your own, we'd like to know about it. Let us know about your plans!