Impact of informal physics programs on university students who facilitate them

We employed a mixed methods study combining a survey instrument (117 responses) and interviews (35) with current and former undergraduate and graduate students who participated in five informal physics programs through a physics and astronomy department at a large land-grant university. Our findings show that students who facilitated informal physics programs positively developed their physics identity, experienced increased sense of belonging to the physics community, and developed 21st century career skills. The benefits of these programs can be achieved by departments of any size without significant commitment of funds or changes to curriculum.