About

Ambassadors

The IF/THEN® Collection is the largest free resource of its kind dedicated to increasing access to authentic and relatable images and videos of real women in STEM. 

Here in this digital library, you will find thousands of photos, videos and other assets that authentically represent women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).  The content features careers as diverse as shark tagging, fashion design, and training Olympic athletes, and nudges public perceptions in a more realistic direction that illuminates the importance of STEM everywhere. 

The Collection is part of the IF/THEN® Initiative, a national effort sponsored by Lyda Hill Philanthropies® to inspire young girls to pursue STEM careers while creating a culture shift in how the world perceives women in STEM.  Among the hundreds of women featured in the collection are the 125 female STEM innovators selected by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Lyda Hill Philanthropies® to be AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassadors, all of whom serve as high-profile role models for girls. 

 

This is what a scientist looks like

The IF/THEN® Collection intends to: 

  • Shift cultural perceptions of who works in STEM,
  • Inspire middle school girls to pursue STEM careers by exposing them to content that presents STEM as exciting and relatable,
  • Provide museums, educators, nonprofit organizations, parents and students with high-quality STEM content for use free-of-charge, and
  • Empower AAAS IF/THEN® Ambassadors by providing a common platform to share their stories. 

The IF/THEN® Collection supports the distribution of these photos and videos through royalty-free licensing for noncommercial use, allowing the assets to be shared far and wide and helping to make a lasting change to the materials and media in the visual world around us. Visit our FAQ page and Terms of Use for usage details and restrictions. 

The IF/THEN® Collection is managed by the Museum of Science in Boston. 

 

IF we support a woman in STEM, THEN she can Change the World

More About the IF/THEN® Initiative 

IF/THEN® is part of Lyda Hill Philanthropies’ commitment to fund game-changing advancements in science and nature. IF/THEN® seeks to further advance women in STEM by empowering current innovators and inspiring the next generation of pioneers. Rooted in a firm belief that there is no better time to highlight positive and successful female professional role models, IF/THEN® is designed to activate a culture shift among young girls to open their eyes to STEM careers. 

 

IF/THEN® Initiative Coalition Members 

The IF/THEN® Coalition brings together leading science institutions, education organizations, and iconic brands from entertainment and popular culture—all united by a shared mission: to advance women in STEM and inspire the next generation of pioneers. Learn more about the partners behind this first-of-its-kind effort. 

 

IF/THEN® Champions Network  

The Association of Science and Technology Centers and the National Girls Collaborative Project, with support from the IF/THEN Initiative, are bringing together a dynamic network of museums, institutions, allied organizations, and individuals, all dedicated to empowering girls to envision and pursue their own futures in STEM.   The IF/THEN Champions Network provides members mutual support, champions the overarching goals of the IF/THEN® Initiative, and acts as a resource for the broader informal learning community.  Membership is free and available to individuals as well as institutions.