Registrants will receive a brief overview of the Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA program, and its free resources, including a range of computer-based and paper-based activities, print products, and a Program Cookbook for facilitators. NASA’s Universe of Learning team will respond to questions and comments to support participants in implementing the Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA materials in programming and events.

NGCP partners with Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA (part of NASA’s Universe of Learning) to provide implementation stipends for informal STEM organizations. The stipends support the implementation of events featuring resources that enable participants to explore fundamental questions in science, experience how science is done, and discover the universe for themselves. Congratulations to 2022 recipients:

We look forward to sharing information about recipient events later this year. Check out Girls STEAM Ahead with NASA to find free resources for use in your events and programming.

Libraries are instrumental in bringing high-quality STEAM experiences to their communities. Speakers from NASA's Universe of Learning, The National Citizen and Community Science Library Network, and Leap into Science, will share resources and opportunities to support STEAM programming at libraries. Participants will learn about digital interactives to inspire interest in astronomy and earth science, citizen science projects on wide-ranging topics, and impacts of engaging young children and families in STEAM and literacy.

To celebrate Black physicists and their contributions to the scientific community, Black in Physics, the American Institution of Physics, and NGCP invite Black and/or African American youth grades 6-8 to write an essay (1,000 words or less) about a Black physicist and how their contributions have shaped how youth see themselves represented in STEM. The winner, plus 2nd-5th place, will receive a cash prize. Submission deadline is May 22, 2022. Learn more.

Throughout 2022 we will be highlighting the work and passions of NGCP Board Members.

Mary Murrin is the corporate affairs advisor for Chevron Technology Ventures. Mary is excited to be working in the energy industry at this important time. To Mary, it is both a challenge and opportunity to provide reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy, "Energy is critical to sustaining every person and every economy in the world, so we must continue to provide consistent, dependable resources. And caring for the environment is a priority". Mary also shared her advise with the NGCP community: "The beauty and challenge of growing is to understand yourself and your value. Show up, work hard, watch, and listen". Read the blog.

Robotics Week is a series of events and activities aimed at increasing public awareness of the strength and importance of the U.S. robotics industry and of the tremendous social and cultural impact that robotics will have on the future. Search events and discover ways to celebrate robotics through a virtual event or at home.

The National Math Festival, free and open to the public, celebrates the fun, beauty, and power of math through hands-on, interactive activities for youth of all ages, resources for math play at home or in the classroom, and engaging math talks and book readings. Register.

The NAPE Summit brings together education and workforce leaders, researchers, practitioners, and advocates to focus on the work required to identify and remove barriers to access and opportunity; foster equitable learning environments; and increase and support pathways to an equitable workforce. Organized to deliver insights into the latest research and policy considerations, sessions offer best practices, particularly in CTE and STEM pathways. NGCP is presenting a workshop, "Brite Women, Brite Girls: Creating Meaningful STEM Role Model Experiences". Register.

BOOST serves in and out-of-school time educators. Participants will have the opportunity to network, participate in team-building activities, and learn about the latest trends and research in innovative and quality out-of-school-time programming. NGCP is hosting a workshop, "Breaking Down STEM Stereotypes in Afterschool", focused on strengthening afterschool programs’ efforts to provide equitable STEM learning opportunities. Register.

The summit will focus on research-based strategies that facilitate systemic reform in computing classes and technical organizations, focused on improving diversity and equity in computing and peer-to-peer discussions to further efforts in creating inclusive cultures. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in conversations, Q&As, and on-demand videos with educators, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and social scientists from across industries and disciplines. Learn more.

ALA brings together librarians and library staff, educators, authors, publishers, friends of libraries, and trustees. Participants will have access to educational programing, News You Can Use sessions, featuring research, innovations, advances in libraries, and the Library Marketplace exhibit hall. NGCP and SciStarter are presenting strategies on successfully scaling STEM programming in libraries from Leap into Science and Libraries as Community Hubs for Citizen Science. Register.

The Tapia Conference, organized by the Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in IT and Association of Computing Machinery, brings together undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, researchers, and professionals in computing from all backgrounds and ethnicities to celebrate and promote diversity. The Call for Participation ends May 3, 2022.

The summit theme is “Game Changers in CS", exploring ways to shift the movement to ensure computer science is an equitable and sustainable part of the K-12 experience. With Memphis partner CodeCrew, the Summit will feature high-level conversations with national thought leaders highlighting strategies for equity, removing barriers to access, and building meaningful engagement for all students. Call for 2022 Commitments opens April 7, 2022.

The Connectory showcases STEAM opportunities for youth to families and is a free online collaboration tool for providers to help find partners based on interests and needs.

MakerGirl is working to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields by providing 3D printing classes to girls ages 7–15. To celebrate Earth Day 2022, MakerGirl is hosting a nationally available opportunity: Earth Day 3D Printing Lesson: Under the Sea. Girls ages 7–10 will learn about 3D printing for coral reef preservation techniques as well as the first woman to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations. Girls will design a 3D sea creature, which will be printed and mailed to them after the session.

Get started and stay connected to The Connectory:

Citizen Science enables all people to advance scientific research. SciStarter has compiled resources, events, and projects for youth to turn their curiosity into impact during Citizen Science Month. Learn more.

April marks a time to increase the understanding and appreciation of math and statistics. Both subjects play a significant role in solving real-world problems (internet security, sustainability, disease, climate change, etc.) Mathematics and statistics are important drivers of innovation in our technological world. Girls Angle Bulletin, a bimonthly magazine to foster girls' interest in mathematics, includes interviews with mathematicians, activities, and math-inspired art.

Celebrate with a new video series created by Reaching for the Stars: NASA Science for Girl Scouts, that provides tips for girl-friendly engagement related to Astronomy, centered on concepts of Growth Mindset, Biases and Micro-messages, Representation Matters, Questioning Techniques, and Dealing with Misconceptions. Learn more.

Share the importance of civic responsibility and environmental sustainability this month to celebrate Earth Day (April 22). Below are Earth Day and climate justice-related events and resources:

Counselors for Computing in partnership with Department of Defense STEM is hosting a webinar series (April 20, May 24, and June 1, 2022) for educators, parents/caregivers, and students focused on preparing youth for diverse and interdisciplinary careers in computing. The April webinar explores the intersections of barbering and computing. Participants will gain culturally responsive resources and strategies for broadening participation in computing, including from the Cultural Patterns project. Learn more.

Out-of-school providers and schools are invited to join Ignite, a fun and equitable program, designed to spark girls' and gender-expansive youth's (grades 3-8) interest in STEM through lessons with hands-on activities that draw on girls' interests and lived experiences. Educators will be equipped with ongoing training, a community of practice, pre-kitted materials, and an innovative curriculum. To bring this program to your youth, contact partners@techbridgegirls.org by May 20, 2022.

International Girls in ICT Day aims to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The 2022 theme, "Access and Safety", underscores the obstacles girls often face in the digital environment. The website includes a toolkit for organizing your own Girls in ICT Day event. Join the global Girls in ICT community by searching and using the hashtag #GirlsinICT on social media.