Nearly 9 in 10 U.S. parents worry poor air quality is affecting their families, but few know what steps to take A new, nationally representative survey of parents found that 87% are concerned about how air quality affects their own health and that of their family. Nearly two-thirds (63%) believe their children have already experienced […]
Seeding Action and iNaturalist are delighted to announce a new group of science centers, museums, and public engagement organizations selected to develop creative planetary health initiatives using iNaturalist, a free app that connects people and nature. With the generous support of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Seeding Action and iNaturalist have partnered as part of a multi-year program designed to promote planetary health action through engagement with iNaturalist.
Seeding Action and iNaturalist Announce the Members of the 2026-2027 Cohort Read More »
ASTC is delighted to announce a new partnership with Sanofi—The Air We Share, a program to support science centers and museums in the United States to engage with their local communities on the ways that environmental challenges like air pollution, wildfires, and extreme heat affect human health. Extensive research shows that these environmental threats harm
The Air We Share: New Partnership between ASTC and Sanofi US Read More »
Washington, D.C. (August 29, 2025) — The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards. This year, five individuals and six organizations are being recognized for their extraordinary achievements in advancing informal science learning, community engagement, and organizational innovation. The Roy
ASTC Announces 2025 Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Award Winners Read More »
The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) is requesting proposals to host the ASTC Annual Conference in the Fall of 2028 and/or 2029. The ASTC Annual Conference is one of the premier professional development events for science and technology centers and museums, as well as the broader science engagement field. This conference brings the
ASTC requests proposals to host 2028 and 2029 conferences Read More »
Representation in STEM matters. When young people see adults who look like them thriving in science, technology, engineering, and math, they begin to see those futures as possibilities for themselves. The IF/THEN® Champions Network is working to make that vision a reality for girls and women in the STEM field. A collaboration between the Association
Open the Door to Future STEM Leaders AND Funding Opportunities! Read More »
As community-serving institutions as well as nonprofit organizations, science centers and museums experience unique business challenges. These range from mundane and everyday issues (How can we keep all the sand in the sandbox, and out of the exhibit hall?) to fundamental questions underlying organizational purpose and operations. At the second annual Voya National Days of
We know the funding landscape is tough right now. That’s why we are even more pleased than usual to share three funding and resource opportunities for Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) members*. These opportunities are exclusively for ASTC members that join the IF/THEN® Champions Network—a national U.S. collaboration between ASTC and the National
Don’t miss these summer 2025 STEM funding opportunities! Read More »
Recent actions by the National Science Foundation (NSF) have led to terminations of many grants that supported STEM education initiatives, including at ASTC member organizations. Now, a group of private foundations has stepped up to offer a rapid response bridge funding opportunity that is designed to mitigate some of the immediate impacts on scholars, projects,
New data from the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) reveal that while adults in the United States value science in their daily lives, it is unclear the extent to which they associate federal investment and scientific infrastructure with the information they depend on for making crucial decisions. The findings highlight an urgent need
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has named its new class of AAAS Fellows. Election as a AAAS Fellow is a lifetime honor in recognition of diverse accomplishments, including, research, leadership, teaching, mentoring, fostering collaborations, and advancing public understanding of science. Fellows are nominated by AAAS’ 24 disciplinary sections, three Fellows who are current AAAS members, or by
AAAS elects ASTC members and science engagement leaders as Fellows Read More »
The LEGO Group’s Playful Learning Museum Network is celebrating its fourth—and biggest—year yet! Hosted by the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) and funded by the LEGO Foundation, the program brings 21 leading children’s and science museums together with a shared mission: to unlock the power of play for children. Since 2021, the network
The LEGO® Playful Learning Museum Network enters its biggest year yet! Read More »
At its first meeting of the year, the ASTC Board of Directors approved eight organizations for membership 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 website. Applications may
ASTC welcomes eight new members Read More »
The Bell Museum at the University of Minnesota, which serves as the state’s official natural history museum, has been honored with the Impact Goals Award from the Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS). The museum was recognized for Solution Studio, a recurring makerspace that showcases current science from the University of Minnesota and
Bell Museum honored with ARIS Impact Goals Award Read More »
The publisher of Nature magazine—in collaboration with Sense About Science—is seeking nominations for The John Maddox Prize, which honors researchers who stand up and speak out for science and evidence-based policy, advancing public discussion around difficult topics, despite challenges or hostility, and successfully making a change in public discourse or policy. Winners will be selected
Nature seeking nominations for individuals who stand up for science Read More »
Newsweek has named the winners of Readers’ Choice Awards, and ASTC-member institutions are, once again, well-represented. The publication convened expert panels to identify a list of candidates that were then subject to a public vote; individuals could vote once per day in each category. Best Science Museum In the Best Science Museum category, Lowell Observatory,
Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards honors ASTC members Read More »
ASTC continues to think about our members, partners, and friends in Southern California who are being significantly impacted by several devastating wildfires. We are heartbroken over the unbelievable destruction and the dramatic disruption to the lives and business operations of of many in our community and beyond. The stories and images coming from the Los
Support and resources on wildfires Read More »
At its final meeting of the year, the ASTC Board of Directors approved two organizations for membership in the association, making a total of more than 30 new members in 2024. 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
ASTC welcomes new members Read More »
About the ASTC and Ecsite Collaboration The 2023 Annual Statistics Survey was conducted by the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) in partnership with Ecsite, the European network of science engagement organizations. ASTC is dedicated to increasing the understanding of and engagement with science and technology among all people. Ecsite connects, inspires and empowers
Benchmark Your Organization with ASTC’s Latest Annual Statistics Survey Read More »
Updated on November 7, 2024, to include the Blooloop 50 Immersive Influencer List 2024. Blooloop has announced the recipients of its 2024 Blooloop 50 Influencer Lists for Museums, Immersive, and Zoos & Aquariums, and many members of the ASTC community have been recognized yet again. These annual lists highlight 50 key individuals in each field
Blooloop honors many Influencers from ASTC community Read More »