WASHINGTON, D.C., USA – The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) has honored seven member organizations and two individuals with field-wide honors, the Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards. The awards were presented on October 7 and 9 at the ASTC 2023 Annual Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Since 2005, the Leading Edge Awards […]
ASTC bestows nine awards for excellence Read More »
ASTC is proud to announce the launch of Seeding Action, a new initiative to support science centers, museums, and other public engagement networks in their efforts to cultivate a culture of hope and action on planetary health issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Any institution with a commitment to prioritizing planetary health
ASTC launches Seeding Action to cultivate a culture of planetary health action Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C., USA – The Association of Science and Technology Center (ASTC) is pleased to welcome new officers and members of its Board of Directors, who will take up their positions at the conclusion of the ASTC Annual Conference on October 10, 2023. The Board provides direction to the association representing organizations committed to public engagement
ASTC welcomes new Board members as it charts its next 50 years Read More »
The ASTC Board of Directors has approved a whopping 15 new and returning organizations for membership. 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 be completed electronically by
ASTC welcomes 15 new and returning members Read More »
The U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services has announced the fiscal year (FY) 2023 recipient of funding awards through several of its competitive grant programs. This includes $8.4 million in National Leadership Grants for Museums and $31.5 million for the Museums for America program—including the Museums Empowered and Inspire! Grants for Small Museums. Among the awardees are 41 projects at
IMLS awards 41 ASTC members with $8.2 million in FY 2023 grants Read More »
The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) and the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) are pleased to announce the release of the 2023 ACM-ASTC Workforce Survey Report. This report presents findings from 138 participating institutions, 36% of which are active ACM member museums, and 81% of which are active ASTC member museums. ACM and
ACM and ASTC Jointly Publish 2023 Workforce Survey Report Read More »
Two ASTC members are among eight institutions honored with the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities. The award is bestowed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. In a release, IMLS Director Crosby Kemper said, “the staff
COSI and MODS receive National Medal for Museum and Library Service Read More »
Several ASTC-member institutions and science center professionals have been recognized by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) with 2023 awards for their leadership and excellence within the museum field. Awards will be presented at the 2023 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo later this month in Denver, Colorado. Nancy Hanks Award for Rising Stars To highlight
ASTC members recognized by AAM Read More »
We are excited to continue our relationship with the American Geophysical Union’s (AGU) Thriving Earth Exchange. Together we will support up to 7 science center and museum staff (and their community partners) to participate in Thriving Earth’s 12-month fellowship and training program. Thriving Earth connects communities with scientists and supports their partnership as they tackle
ASTC-Thriving Earth Exchange Fellowships Available to Support Community-Centered Science Read More »
The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) is seeking suggestions from the community on revising a key climate literacy guide that is used by educators, policymakers, and scientists across the United States and around the world. What do you think everyone needs to know about climate change? The previous guide, Climate Literacy: The Essential Principles
What should everyone know about climate? Read More »
NASA has announced the recipients of the latest round of funding in the agency’s Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) program and TEAM II Community Anchor Awards. Among the new grantees are twelve ASTC members. Both are funded through NASA’s Next Generation STEM (Next Gen STEM), which supports kindergarten to 12-grade students,
NASA TEAM II program awards STEM engagement projects Read More »
William T. Harris, President and CEO of Space Center Houston—and the Chair of the ASTC Board of Directors—has been appointed by President Biden to the National Museum and Library Services Board. The Board advises the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) on general policies with respect to the duties, powers, and authority of the
ASTC Board chair appointed to National Museum and Library Services Board Read More »
At its most recent meeting, the ASTC Board of Directors has approved two new organizations for membership. 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 for 2023 may be
ASTC welcomes two new members Read More »
Earlier today, USA TODAY announced the winners in its 10Best Reader’s Choice awards for Best Science Museum and Best Children’s Museum. As in the past, these lists include many ASTC-member institutions (n bold, below). Twenty nominees in each category were chosen by a panel of experts including a combination of editors from USA TODAY, editors
USA TODAY 10Best lists recognize ASTC members Read More »
Globally, members of the public are increasingly concerned about climate change and other threats to our planet’s health, including biodiversity loss and air, soil, and water pollution. Science centers and museums provide unique opportunities for visitors and their broader communities to learn more about the issues that concern them and how we can address them,
ASTC members offer diverse programming on planetary health Read More »
The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) and the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) are again partnering to look at the workforce of our member institutions. This ACM–ASTC Workforce Survey, most recently conducted in 2011 and 2016, will provide a snapshot of the field’s current staffing, including job roles, salaries, benefits, and more. Response
Understanding science center and children’s museum workforces: ACM–ASTC Workforce Survey Read More »
At its most recent meeting, the ASTC Board of Directors has approved eight new organizations for membership. 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 for 2023 will be
ASTC welcomes eight new members Read More »
The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) has presented its Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards to three additional member organizations and one individual in three categories. The virtual awards ceremony, which was incorporated into the program for #ASTCvirtual, completes a process that began with the presentation of awards in two other categories—Community Science
The Blooloop 50 Museum Influencers List 2022 includes a number of individuals affiliated with ASTC-member organizations. The list highlights 50 key individuals whose innovation and creativity have been integral to developing today’s museums. As the museum industry continues to reinvent itself, it is not surprising to see so many names familiar to ASTC on the
ASTC members named to Blooloop 50 Museum Influencers List Read More »
The ASTC Board of Directors has approved four new organizations for membership: one new Science Center and Museum Member and three new Allied Members. 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 welcomes four new members Read More »