The NIFTY project goal is to connect NASA STEM role models with youth-serving STEM programs for underrepresented youth (ages 9-14), with a critical focus on girls and other historically excluded genders in STEM, which includes cis girls, trans youth, gender non-conforming, and/or non-binary youth, youth of color, and their families.

NIFTY is made possible through the support of NASA as part of its Science Activation program.

6 public libraries are continuing to offer 10 hours of NIFTY programs from February 1 – April 8, 2024, with a key focus on either solar science or solar eclipses and at least one virtual interaction with a NIFTY Role Model.

Apache Junction Public Library (AZ) 

Del Norte County Library District (CA)  

Riverside County Library System (CA) 

Lompoc Public Library (CA) 

Mission Viejo Library (CA) 

San Mateo County Libraries (Half Moon Bay Library) (CA) 

2024 NIFTY Library Partners will be required to fill out an online evaluation survey after their program completes. There are no youth or family surveys in 2024.

15 public libraries in Tennessee, California, Minnesota, and Arizona were selected to participate in the NIFTY project:

Apache Junction Public Library (AZ)

Clay County Public Library (TN)

Dakota County Library (MN)

Daly City Public Library (CA)

Del Norte County Library (CA)

Duluth Public Library (MN)

Giles County Public Library (TN)

Home Gardens Library (CA)

Lompoc Public Library (CA)

Mission Viejo Library (CA)

North Fork Branch of Madera County Library (CA)

San Mateo County Libraries – Half Moon Bay Library (CA)

South San Francisco Public Library (CA)

West Valley Branch of the San Jose Public Library (CA)

Winona Public Library (MN)

With professional development, resources, and support from the NIFTY Project Team, participating libraries hosted NASA-themed STEM programs between July 1, 2023, and October 31, 2023, with the following:

• 10 hours of programming reaching at least 10 middle-school aged youth
• Include a visit (virtual or in-person) with at least one NASA STEM Role Model
• Evaluation activities:
  • Needs Assessment survey (spring of 2023)
  • Post-Professional Development survey (summer 2023)
  • Post-Program survey (summer/fall 2023)
  • Distribute a Family Survey at the end of the NASA-themed STEM program

NASA Center Champions have recruited a diverse team of role models to be matched with NIFTY Library Partners for their youth programs. Role models will receive training and ongoing support on the latest research around being an effective STEM role model for youth, including gender-equitable and culturally responsive strategies.

A collection of 23 hands-on STEM activities geared towards middle-school aged youth

Gender-equitable educational resources and hands-on STEM activities, as well as Role Model video profiles that can be used in NIFTY programs.

Gender equitable evidence-based strategies and tips for role models to incorporate into their interactions with youth.

• SciGirls Strategies: How to Engage Girls in STEM
• SciGirls Engaging Latinx Families: Key ingredients for successful STEM programs
• SciGirls Family Guide for Engaging Girls in STEM

Twin Cities PBS (TPT) NIFTY Project Lead
National Girls Collaborative
STAR Library Network
NASA Langley Research Center
Technology for Learning Consortium Independent Evaluator

NIFTY is based upon work funded by NASA under cooperative agreement No. #21767-3908; #80NSSC22M0123. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of NIFTY and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.