Over the past few days, the world has seen on full display the anguish and anger of people across the United States as we face the concurrent crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and of pervasive racism and associated police violence. Both crises have disproportionally impacted Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and both are calling […]
By Cristin Dorgelo We’re using this first issue of 2020 to examine how to step out of silos to foster collaboration toward positive forward progress. Silos exist within organizations, preserved through cultures, practices, and habits that disincentivize teamwork and transparency. Silos exist between organizations and across fields that limit our ability to learn about promising
Breaking Down Barriers by Building Bridges Read More »
As communities grapple with daunting global and local challenges, and as the role of science and technology in our society continues to evolve, access for all people to engage with, participate in, and benefit from science, technology, and innovation is more important than ever. The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) is excited to
Introducing ASTC’s Community Science Initiative Read More »
By Cristin Dorgelo Science and technology centers and museums engage in education and engagement with myriad individuals and groups in many different ways. It is essential that we pause and examine some of the relationships that help us make the greatest impact in this education and engagement work. This issue will explore the different ways
Partnering with Teachers and Schools Read More »
By Cristin Dorgelo This issue of Dimensions takes a close look at “moonshots”—ambitious yet achievable goals to address significant challenges for the public good. Later this month, the ASTC community will gather for the 2019 ASTC Annual Conference, hosted by the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. I’m grateful to all of you who are traveling
A Moonshot Moment for Science Engagement Read More »
By Cristin Dorgelo The history of science, technology, and innovation is filled with novel ideas, creative approaches, and impressive accomplishments generated by small teams faced with limited resources and pressing challenges. Science museums themselves are hardly small in mission or purpose, and yet most face resource constraints common to many mission-driven institutions. Doing more with less, working smarter not harder, and prioritizing are solutions we all try to apply
By Cristin Dorgelo Charting a course for the future is one of the more difficult things we are called upon to do as leaders and as individuals. The futures of our institutions, the future of our communities, and the future frontiers of science and technology are inextricably linked. As we scan those horizons and set
By Cristin Dorgelo In this issue, we explore 21st-century skills,often called general skills or soft skills. To thrive in today’s workforce, and to play a part in solving the tough challenges facing society, each of us must develop and demonstrate curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, persistence, and teamwork. As science center and related industry professionals, most
Praise for Soft Skills Read More »
By Cristin Dorgelo The theme of this issue is “Broadening Participation.” What we at ASTC mean when we talk about broadening participation is our commitment to increasing diversity, accessibility, inclusion, and equity in all aspects of our work—paramount values in our increasingly connected global society. Our field has made strides in offering inclusive opportunities in
A Place at the Table Read More »
By Cristin Dorgelo Our global community is three years into an ambitious agenda. On September 25, 2015, the 193 countries of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the 2030 Development Agenda titled “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” The agenda includes 17 goals with 169 specific actions, or targets. These goals, known
These first weeks as ASTC’s new President and CEO have been an exciting time of forging new connections, listening, learning, and hearing ideas for the future from ASTC’s staff, members, and partners. In the few short weeks that I have been aboard, my days have been filled to the brim with inspiration and forward action.
My First Weeks Aboard ASTC: Reflections and Next Steps Read More »
I am so excited to begin leading ASTC today, energized by the many illuminating conversations I had with ASTC members during the 2017 ASTC Annual Conference in San Jose and the Science Centre World Summit 2017 in Tokyo, as well as numerous working sessions and calls over the past few months with ASTC staff and
Meet Cristin Dorgelo, ASTC’s New President and CEO Read More »