 Older Adults in Science Centers |
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An elder from Laguna Pueblo participates in a science club for seniors offered by Explora, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Photoby Kristin Leigh |
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With age demographics shifting worldwide, science centers and museums are considering responses to what some have called the "longevity revolution." A third of ASTC's member museums offer programs that target senior citizens, and many are working in other ways to address the needs and aspirations of active and engaged older adults.
A June 2006 conference organized by the SPRY Foundation, ASTC, and others with the support of the National Science Foundation brought together representatives of science centers and organizations that serve older Americans at the local, state, and national level. The resources that follow reflect outcomes of this conference and offer starting places for science centers seeking to expand their service to the 50+ population.
 The Longevity Revolution (PDF)
This 85-page report was prepared as background for the June 2006 NSF-supported conference. Included are results of a survey of science centers and a "field guide" to aging organizations and programs.
 Fifty Plus: Engaging Today's Active Older Adults
(3.0 MB) | Need help?
The January/February 2007 issue of ASTC Dimensions reported on The Longevity Revolution conference and other news about science centers and older adults.
The following web sites will help you find out more about these topics:
 Developing Education Programs
Tapping Experience: Older Adults Working in Science Centers
Research about Aging Populations
More Resources
Developing Education Programs
University of the Third Age, based in the U.K., encourages people in the "third age" of life—i.e., no longer in full-time gainful employment—to take up or continue educational and other interests in informal settings.
Elderhostel, founded in 1975, is the world's largest provider of lifelong learning
programs for adults age 55+. In
2004, Elderhostel launched Road Scholar, an innovative educational program for
adults of all ages.
The OASIS Institute is a U.S. nonprofit educational organization for mature adults, offering programs in the arts, humanities, wellness, technology and volunteer service.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes are a network of college- and university-based educational programs for older adults in 31 U.S. states, established with support from the Bernard Osher Foundation. Each Osher Institute reflects the culture of its own university and its learning community.
SeniorNet is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide older
adults education for and access to computer technologies.
Generations United works to improve the lives of children, youth, and older people through intergenerational strategies, programs, and public policies.
The Center for Intergenerational Learning, located at Temple University in Philadelphia, develops model programs, provides training and technical assistance, conducts research, and develops materials that support intergenerational activities.
Tapping Experience: Older Adults Working in Science Centers
Civic Ventures, a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization, is attempting to reframe the debate about aging in the United States and redefine the second half of life as a source of social and individual renewal.
Experience Corps, operated by Civic Ventures, recruits older adults to serve as literacy tutors and mentors for children in public schools and after-school programs in 14 cities.
Senior Corps, based in Washington, D.C., operates three programs that provide older Americans with opportunities to serve their communities.
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program International, based at the University of Maryland, works to develop, support, and enhance volunteer programs for individuals 50+ through a network of global partnerships.
Executive Service Corps Affiliate Network taps expertise of retired, volunteer consultants who have had senior-level positions in business, government, and nonprofits. Affiliates provide services in a variety of areas of relevance to science centers, including budgeting and finance, board development and governance, and marketing.
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides subsidized, part-time, community service work-based training for low-income persons age 55 or older. More than 100,000 people participated nationwide in fiscal year 2005.
Research About Aging Populations
The Alliance for Aging Research is a nonpartisan nonprofit advocacy organization for improving the health and independence of Americans as they age.
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is devoted to the advancement of gerontological research. Members include some 5,000 researchers, educators, practitioners, and other professionals in the field of aging. Its public policy institute, the National Academy for an Aging Society, conducts research on issues related to population aging and provides information to the public, the press, policymakers, and the academic community.
International Longevity Center—USA is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan research, policy, and education organization devoted to science-based policy development on the aging of populations. It is affiliated with ILCs in Japan, United Kingdom, France, Dominican Republic, India, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Argentina.
MIT AgeLab has assembled a multi-disciplinary team of researchers, business partners, universities, and the aging community to design, develop, and deploy innovations to improve quality of life for older adults.
National Institute on Aging, one of the 27 institutes and centers of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, leads a scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life.
SPRY (Setting Priorities for Retirement Years) Foundation is an independent, nonprofit research and education organization that helps people prepare for successful aging.
More Resources
AGE: The European Older People's Platform is a European umbrella confederation of more than 100 federations and associations of older and retired people or organizations dealing with aging issues.
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (N4A) consists of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) that were established in every U.S. state in 1973. Some are official city or county agencies; others are independent nonprofit community organizations. N4A members coordinate and support a wide range of services, including information and referral, transportation, and employment services.
Grantmakers in Aging is dedicated to promoting and strengthening grantmaking for an aging society. Members include staff and trustees of approximately 100 grantmaking organizations.
The National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA), a component of AARP, comprises adults and organizations that have been or are involved with education and learning. With the Dana Alliance for Brain Research, NRTA is a sponsor of Staying Sharp, a program designed to increase public awareness of brain function and brain health in later life.
American Society on Aging (ASA) members include practitioners, educators, administrators, policymakers, business people, researchers, and students. Among its special-interest constituent groups is the Lifelong Education and Renewal Network (LEARN), for individuals involved with or interested in adult education.
National Council on Aging (NCOA) is dedicated to improving the health and independence of older persons and increasing their continuing contributions to communities, society, and future generations. Its 3,800 members include senior centers, area agencies on aging, adult day service centers, and faith-based service organizations, senior housing facilities, employment services, consumer groups and leaders from academia, business, and labor.
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