IN THIS ISSUE September/October 2017 Read the full issue. When delegates convene in Tokyo from November 15 to 17 for the Science Centre World Summit (hosted by Miraikan—the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation), they will examine ways to build connections and work toward a sustainable future. How can science centers and museums work […]
Dimensions, September/October 2017—Co-Design for Transformation Read More »
IN THIS ISSUE July/August 2017 The science center and museum field tends to be very supportive and collaborative. There are many stories of individuals and institutions mentoring one another, passing along knowledge and resources, and helping the field as a whole to grow and move forward. These mentoring relationships can be much more intricate than
Dimensions, July/August 2017—Inspiring Growth Through Mentoring Read More »
By Julie I. Johnson From Dimensions July/August 2017 Mentoring is about establishing and nurturing mutually beneficial relationships, either face-to-face or virtually. The format of a mentoring relationship can vary widely. We are most familiar with the traditional one-on-one format, in which a senior person mentors a junior person. Other forms of mentoring are reverse mentoring (junior mentors senior),
The Mentor and the Protégé: What, Who, and How? Read More »
Interviewed by Andrea Appleton This interview appeared in the July/August 2017 issue of Dimensions magazine. Emily Graslie has a pretty cool job. She is chief curiosity correspondent for Chicago’s Field Museum. She landed the position through her YouTube Channel, The Brain Scoop, in which she explores scientific topics with a disarming inquisitiveness. Graslie spoke with
Q&A with Emily Graslie: Science, Art, Curiosity, and The Brain Scoop Read More »
This article originally appeared in the May/June 2017 issue of Dimensions magazine. The biggest misconception about science centers that I would like to correct is the idea that a science center is a place for children only. Many people associate interactivity with “for children.” Many adults see the interaction with an exhibit as playing and
What misconceptions about science centers and museums do you wish you could correct? Read More »
IN THIS ISSUE May/June 2017 Science centers and museums touch lives, spread awe and wonder, and inspire scientists and science enthusiasts of the future. But they can do none of these things without a solid, sustainable business model. Science centers’ business models are as diverse as the communities and nations in which they reside, with
Dimensions, May/June 2017—Building Your Business Model Read More »
By Linda Conlon From Dimensions May/June 2017 Science centers are the same—but different. Look at the mission statements of science centers worldwide. They use slightly different wording, but they all focus on making science accessible, relevant, and inspiring for people of all ages and backgrounds. We are united in our quest to do this. The scale
Sustainable Science Center Business Models Read More »
Interviewed by Andrea Appleton This interview appeared in the May/June 2017 issue of Dimensions magazine. The evidence is conclusive: the planet is warming and humans are to blame. But there are still those, some in powerful positions, who don’t believe in climate change. Yet Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication,
Q&A with Anthony Leiserowitz: Climate Change and the Current Political Climate Read More »
This is an extended version of an article that appeared in a special edition of Dimensions magazine on equity, diversity, and inclusion. The majority of countries in the world have seen a rise in immigration since the beginning of this century. Between 2000 and 2013, the number of international migrants increased in 165 countries or
Migration and Museums Read More »
IN THIS ISSUE Special Edition In 2001, ASTC’s Board launched a fieldwide Equity and Diversity Initiative in an effort to lead science centers toward a future in which their audience, staff, and board members more closely reflect the diversity of their societies. Since that time, we have made progress as a field on the path
Dimensions, Special Edition—Growing Toward a Future Where All Feel Welcome and Heard Read More »
From Dimensions By Natalie Bortoli Special Edition At the entryway to Chicago Children’s Museum (CCM), a vibrant collection of nearly 400 self-portraits greets visitors, proclaiming, “We are Chicago Children’s Museum.” The faces of children, teachers, community leaders, parents, and caregivers from a variety of backgrounds are intermingled with mirrors so that all visitors are reflected
Diversity Initiatives: A Welcome, an Invitation, and a Voice Read More »
Interviewed by Joelle Seligson This interview appeared in a special edition of Dimensions magazine on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Having been part of the ASTC Equity and Diversity Committee for much of its history, outgoing committee chair Ann Fumarolo has seen the difference equity and diversity initiatives can make. Fumarolo, who serves as president and
Q&A with Ann Fumarolo: Making Diversity a Priority in Science Centers and Museums Read More »
This is an extended version of an article that appeared in the July/August 2016 issue of Dimensions magazine. We asked science centers and museums to share their best pieces of advice and most important lessons learned regarding the following: 1) selecting topics and activities for out-of-school time programs, 2) partnering with afterschool providers and other
Out-of-School Time Programs: Advice and Lessons Learned Read More »
By C. Aaron Price and Faith R. Kares From Dimensions July/August 2016 In the 11 years since the inception of the Science Minors and Achievers program, the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI), Chicago, has had plenty of anecdotal evidence that this out-of-school time program has a meaningful impact on its participants. Word of mouth
Researching Long-Term Impacts of an Out-of-School Time Program Read More »
This is an extended discussion of the question that appeared in the Viewpoints department of the May/June 2016 issue of Dimensions magazine. I will not tell people whether or not they will have a better experience with or without those kind of media or technologies. We put up our “Photography Encouraged” signs [in the exhibition
Interviewed by Joelle Seligson This interview appeared in the May/June 2016 issue of Dimensions magazine.
Q&A with Nicholas R. Bell: The WONDER of Art and STEM Read More »
This is a supplement to an article on place-based learning that appeared in the May/June 2016 issue of Dimensions magazine.
Place-based Learning: Case Studies Read More »
IN THIS ISSUE May/June 2016 Read the full issue. Inspired by the centennial of the U.S. National Park Service, this issue of Dimensions focuses on an educational approach that many science centers and museums share with parks and heritage sites: place-based learning. A place-based approach draws upon an institution’s local context and historical, environmental, and
Dimensions, May/June 2016—The Power of Place Read More »
By Tim Watkins From Dimensions May/June 2016 On a May morning in 2007, fourth grader Joshua White hopped on a city bus with his grandmother and rode across Washington, D.C., for his first visit to the nature center at Rock Creek Park. He came to participate in the first annual national park BioBlitz organized by
Learning Science in U.S. National Parks Read More »
This is a supplement to an article that appeared in the March/April 2016 issue of Dimensions magazine. We asked science centers, museums, and aquariums to share how they are making their facilities and their practices more green and energy efficient, and how they have used these efforts to educate their visitors and communities about energy