Employees from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) have been placed on administrative leave, effective today. Staff access to IMLS systems and offices, including email, has also been suspended. For almost 40 years, IMLS has been an essential independent agency that is often the only federal source of support for work core to […]
IMLS staff put on administrative leave Read More »
The President issued an Executive Order (EO) on Friday, March 14 requiring several agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), to eliminate all “non-statutory components and functions” and to reduce personnel “to the minimum presence and function required by law.” It is clear that this EO directs dramatic cuts to be made
Speak up for museums and science centers Read More »
Several ASTC members have had locations named TIME magazine’s list of “The World’s Greatest Places for 2025.” The list was compiled by TIME‘s editors from nominations submitted by the magazine’s international network of correspondents and contributors, as well as through an application process. They were especially interested in places that offered “new and exciting experiences.”
ASTC members named to TIME’s list of world’s greatest places of 2025 Read More »
About 50 representatives of ASTC-member organizations were among the more than 350 people who descended on Washington, D.C., for Museums Advocacy Day 2025. This annual event organized by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is our community’s opportunity to speak with one voice about the essential value of museums when we meet with Members of
Advocates make the case during Museums Advocacy Day Read More »
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Environmental Literacy Program on a funding program to use place-based education to enhance community resilience and increase environmental literacy among residents of the U.S. Gulf States. The Environmental Literacy for Community Resilience program will
Funding Opportunity: Environmental Literacy for Community Resilience Read More »
Once again, ASTC members were well-represented in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice awards in several museum categories (see bold, below), including another clean sweep in the Best Science Museum category. Twenty nominees in each category were chosen by a panel of experts, including a combination of editors from USA TODAY, editors from 10Best.com, and other
The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Family Foundation and the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education are seeking nominations for the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education. This award recognizes outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to improving education and whose accomplishments are making a difference. Honorees should exemplify transformational leadership in their organization
Nominations open for McGraw Prize in Education Read More »
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced nearly $36.8 million in funding to almost 1,500 projects in all 50 states. Included in that list are seven ASTC member institutions. These NEA awards come through several competitive funding programs including Grants in the Arts, Challenge America, Research Grants in the Arts, and Research Labs.
National Endowment for the Arts supports projects at ASTC members Read More »
With the beginning of the new year, you may still be reviewing your 2024 Spotify wrapped, Amazon Music 2024 Delivered, or Duolingo Year in Review—it can’t just be us. Take a look at some of our accomplishments as a community over the past year. Photo by Katie Moum on Unsplash A welcoming community ASTC welcomed
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Thanks to the hard work of more than a dozen volunteers, the ASTC community removed more than 2,200 pieces of litter—totaling more than 220 lbs.—from the Margaret T. Burroughs (31st Street Beach) during the ASTC 2024 Annual Conference in Chicago. The Adopt-a-Beach cleanup event on October 1 was organized by the Alliance for the Great
Volunteers removed 220 lbs. of litter from beach at ASTC 2024 Read More »
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) have released several reports in recent weeks that are relevant to the work of science centers and museums—and others committed to engaging the public with science and technology. NASEM are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex
Recent NASEM reports relevant to science engagement Read More »
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has issued a solicitation (NSF 25-511) for the Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) program, which supports hands-on learning opportunities for learners from nontraditional backgrounds, equipping them with skills for emerging technology fields and fostering workforce development through cross-sector partnerships. ExLENT seeks to support experiential learning opportunities
Funding opportunity: Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) Read More »
Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded 15 children’s museums—most of which are ASTC members—with a total of $38.5 million in grants to support efforts to nurture character through exhibitions, public programs, and community collaborations. This new funding is part of the Fostering Character Through Children’s Museums initiative, which is helping children’s museums develop new or expand
Lilly Endowment supports children’s museums to foster character development Read More »
The World Science Center Initiative (WSCI) is now accepting donation of exhibits and educational materials to support science engagement in Ukraine. In short, ASTC members will pack and ship donated exhibits and equipment to a designated warehouse in New Jersey—along with required documentation. Then HUCUS (Help Ukraine Center USA) will temporarily store the materials and
Support science engagement in Ukraine through the World Science Center Initiative Read More »
As part of its efforts to raise the profile of posters at the ASTC Annual Conference, the Conference Program Planning Committee (CPPC) unveiled a new poster awards program and selected four posters to receive awards at ASTC 2024. The new awards recognize exemplary posters with respect to features, design, and other elements, providing additional visibility
CPPC bestows poster awards at ASTC 2024 Read More »
At its meeting last month, the ASTC Board of Directors has approved 12 organizations in five countries as new members in the association. Consistent with ASTC’s Bylaws, all members must be approved for membership by a majority vote of the ASTC Board of Directors. Organizations wishing to apply for membership should consult the Membership section of the ASTC
ASTC welcomes 12 new members Read More »
Two ASTC members have received funding awards from the Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to support place-based education projects for students in grades K-8 in the Gulf of Mexico region. Overall, 12 projects will share $5.1 to engage young learners with local environmental issues and to support
ASTC members receive support for place-based education from Gulf Research Program Read More »
President Joe Biden has announced his intent to appoint several individuals with an ASTC connection to the National Science Board (NSB), which has the dual mission of setting the policies of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and serving as an independent advisory body to the President and Congress on policy matters related to science, engineering,
ASTC connections to be appointed to the National Science Board Read More »
Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards presented at ASTC 2024 Annual Conference WASHINGTON, D.C., USA – The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) has honored eight member organizations and three individuals with field-wide honors, the Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards. The awards were presented on September 30 at the ASTC 2024 Annual Conference
ASTC bestows awards for excellence Read More »
The Association of Science and Technology Center (ASTC) presented Linda Conlon MBE DL with the ASTC Fellow Award for Outstanding Contribution during the opening session of the ASTC 2024 Annual Conference in Chicago. The award, bestowed by the ASTC Board of Directors, is the association’s highest honor and is presented to individuals who have performed
Linda Conlon honored with ASTC Fellow Award for Outstanding Contribution Read More »