NASA@ My Library

NASA@ My Library is a national STAR Library Network (STAR Net) initiative connecting NASA, public libraries, state libraries, and their communities. This program provides two types of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) kits: Sun-Earth-Moon Connections and Be a NASA Detective: Expanding Your Senses, which are designed to give easy programming activities for all ages. In each kit, an Unboxing video demonstrates an overview of the several activities contained in the kits, with an explanation of how to use the Facilitation Guide that is also provided. Resource links to the kit materials and activities descriptions/examples are available for ease of developing and implementing programs in the library and/or via online videos. See the NASA STEM Kits full description and resources for access to the video, Facilitation Guide, and other useful information.

Purpose: To increase STEM learning opportunities via public libraries throughout the State, particularly to those underserved in STEM education. This project aims to engage the public in space and earth science through hands-on learning opportunities that are uncomplicated, meaningful, and fun.

Target Audience: Activities are designed to be adaptable for all age groups: children, teens, adults, and families. While the activities and resources meet a wide range of educational levels, the project encourages library staff replicating the kits to learn and promote new STEM activities and reaching underrepresented STEM audiences, including African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, women, persons with disabilities, and persons with low socioeconomic status.

Expected Outcomes: Participant’s involvement in the various activities offered in each kit will increase their understanding of the scale and concepts pertaining to our vast universe and how the sun and moon affect Earth in different ways, as well as will learn to use scientific tools such as telescopes, infrared thermometers, and other DIY tools that will enable them to make more insightful observations.

Partnerships: Formal or informal partnerships are encouraged. Reaching out to other local community organizations, such as schools, early education, recreation, and social services centers is encouraged. These groups have “built-in” audiences, can serve as hosts, and/or provide marketing for programs. The Facilitation Guides in each kit provide resources for local experts in the field who can assist with conducting a program.

Budget Considerations

  • Scientific Tools (telescopes, binoculars, Sunoculars, and planispheres)
  • Kit materials for hands-on activities (chenille sticks, UV beads/non-UV beads, color pencils, pastels, etc.)
  • Books (early learning story books, science books, etc.)
  • Audio/Visual Materials to aid in providing program information and/or record a video of the program/instruction for online access.
  • Staff time for the planning and implementing programs or for back-up staff.
  • Fees for instructors, marketing materials, etc.

Each kit provides a list of materials, related costs, and vendor suggestions for each activity. See Kit Resources: Facilitation Guide and Materials List links. More details on facilitation binders and supplies can be found at the Star Net STEM and STEAM Kits page.

While it is estimated Kit 1 costs $500 to replicate 4 kits and Kit 2 costs $2400 to replicate 6 kits, you can choose to purchase select materials from the kits for STEM activities that are of particular interest to your library and audience.

Implementation Steps

  • Co-design your project with your community Identify potential participants, focusing on reaching people not currently visiting the library, and gauge interest in the project. Meet with them to discuss the program. Engage them in envisioning the project, planning how to proceed, what activities will take place, and how community members will be invited and encouraged to attend.
  • Decide programs/activities to offer: review the Unboxing video and Facilitation Guide links found in each STEM Kit topic to understand the activities offered; their content focus, targeted age group, time needed to prep for and complete the activity, costs, difficulty and mess levels, which are found in the NASA STEM Kits full description and resources. Additionally, the NASA@ My Library project includes activities that libraries can support patrons to do from anywhere, including partnering with GLOBE Observer for citizen science resources. More information on the Our Planet: EARTH page.
  • Identify costs for each activity: using the supplies list with vendor suggestions that is provided in the NASA STEM Kits, determine staff costs to plan and implement the program(s), service costs for instructors and marketing, supplies/materials costs to purchase all supplies for each activity, books, etc.
  • Identify partners: local schools, early education centers, craft stores, and potential instructors are useful for automatic audiences, marketing, cost-sharing, and program facility use. Library support groups can assist as program volunteers and/or financial support.
  • Location Option: consider if it is feasible to integrate kit supplies into curbside service for patron checkout or utilize a mailing or other delivery service to provide kit materials. Include instructions with supplies on how to conduct activities at home. The STEM and STEAM kits page has examples of how libraries have created and customized their kits.
  • Reserve library space: as soon the program(s) schedule is planned, make sure an area of the library or a partner site is available that provides adequate space for the number of anticipated attendees. Decide on outdoor or indoor arrangements, number of tables and chairs needed, and give sufficient time for room set-up and take-down. Consider what time of day the program will be provided and other library activities for minimal disruption to participants and other library users.
  • Online Video Option: For community members who cannot attend an on-site program, library staff or the instructor may produce a video modeling a specific kit activity, which can be downloaded for viewing on the library’s website or YouTube. If the library has not yet produced program videos, check with the library director to follow organizational policies and procedures prior to producing the video. The NASA@ My Library project has a playlist on YouTube from Cornerstones of Science that feature videos on the facilitations, using a planisphere and more. Feel free to link to those videos and use them as reference for how your STEM kit tutorial videos might look like.
  • Order supplies: a supplies list for each kit activity is provided in the NASA STEM Kits. Suggested vendors where the supplies can be purchased is also included in the list. Consider asking the local craft store for discounts on needed supplies in return for a free marketing plug. Make sure supplies are delivered in time before the programs to inventory and prepare samples of each activity prior to each program. Be sure to have related non-fiction and fiction age-related books ordered, cataloged and ready to circulate before each program.
  • Prepare and disseminate marketing: press releases, online library calendars, and flyers should be available three to four weeks prior to the programs(s).
  • Train staff and volunteers about the program’s goals, intended audience age, number of anticipated participants, and to demonstrate the program from start to finish. Use the Maker Activity Plan (PDF) and other resources from the Makers in the Library Toolkit to plan your program and training.
  • Evaluation: Gather feedback from participants by survey and/or participant interviews. Also, debrief with the assisting staff and volunteers to discuss what went wrong and right with the program implementation and be sure to adjust the next program accordingly.

Additional Resources

Below is program information that can be used as examples when designing news, programs, and workshops.