IN THIS ISSUE
March/April 2011

Nations around the world recognize that to be competitive in the global economy and to address a variety of societal issues, they must cultivate a strong and innovative science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce. In September 2010, the U.S. President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology proposed a two-pronged approach to achieving this goal, focusing on both preparation and inspiration. In this issue, we examine how science centers can help inspire and equip people from all backgrounds to pursue STEM career opportunities by providing them with access to role models, supportive environments, and skill-building opportunities.

Contents
• Why So Few? Barriers to Women’s Participation in STEM, and How Science Centers Can Help, by Andresse St. Rose
• Connecting Girls and Women in Engineering and Technology, by Barbara Pontello
• The Youth Inspired Challenge: Nurturing Tomorrow’s STEM Leaders, by Laura Huerta Migus
• ScienceMakers: Telling the Unsung Stories of African-American Scientists, by Alison Bruzek
• Not Leaving Inspiration to Chance, by Graham Durant
• Beyond the Beaker: Discovering STEM Careers in Western Australia, by Kate Elder
• Engaging Local Communities in Science, by Kate Elder
• Native American Sciences Initiative: Deepening Relationships and Expanding the STEM Workforce, by Chip Colwell-Chanthaphonh, Ka Chun Yu, and Jami Powell
• STEM Workforce Diversity Resources and Research, by Laura Huerta Migus
• Empowering Girls in Flanders to Try Engineering and Technology, by Steven Vols
• STEM Ambassadors: Reaching Out to the Next Generation, by Catherine Aldridge
• It’s All About Inspiration, by Steve Whitt

Download the full issue.

Subscribe/order back issues

By Andresse St. Rose
From ASTC Dimensions
March/April 2011

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are critical to the economies of the United States and nations around the world. Therefore, expanding and developing the STEM workforce is a crucial issue for governments, industry leaders, and educators. For example, although women and girls in the United States have made tremendous progress in science and math performance and participation over the last few decades, girls are less likely than boys to declare a STEM major in college, and women remain underrepresented in many STEM occupations (National Science Foundation, 2009).
(more…)

When considering the topic of this column, I stumbled across a debate that has persisted for quite some time in the science education domain, one that has been considered by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, AAAS, NSF, and other respected organizations around the world. The subject is the extent to which the history of science should be incorporated into the teaching of science. (more…)

IN THIS ISSUE
January/February 2011

Science centers and museums are increasingly making the commitment to bring science to all people. Yet there are many reasons why some members of our communities do not typically visit us. In this issue, we look at the many creative ways science centers are overcoming barriers—including cost, location, lack of interest, language and cultural concerns, or perceptions of museums as unwelcoming or inaccessible—to extend their reach to new audiences. By building relationships based on respect and mutual goals, science centers and museums are engaging ever-diversifying audiences in personally relevant ways.

Contents
• Responsive and Accessible: How Museums Are Using Research to Better Engage Diverse Cultural Communities, by Cecilia Garibay
• Demographic Transformation and the Future of Museums, by Elizabeth E. Merritt
• Building Community Ties in Jerusalem, by Nurit Snir
• Invite, Welcome, and Engage: Building Relationships with Underserved Communities, by Azuka I. MuMin
• Bringing Science to People Where They Are, by Erik Stengler and Vishwamitra Oree
• Museum-Produced TV News: Small Science, Big Impact, by Carol Lynn Alpert and Barbara Flagg
• Broadening Access for Homeless Families, by Stephanie Lenox
• It’s a Wonderful Gift: Mutuality in Community Engagement, by Vishnu Ramcharan

Download the full issue.

Subscribe/order back issues

By Cecilia Garibay
From ASTC Dimensions
January/February 2011

In recent decades, we’ve learned about visitors at science centers and museums and how their experiences can positively impact science learning (National Research Council, 2009). Excepting Hood’s work (1981) on non–museum goers, however, little attention has been paid to those who do not typically visit museums. Only one study—Falk’s study with African Americans (1993)—focused on a specific cultural community and its museum-going habits. Yet as science centers and museums strive to better serve diverse communities, it’s increasingly important to understand these potential audiences.
(more…)