Early in my career, I worked in a museum with a storied history of corporations’ dictating content. There were even instances of corporations creating entire exhibitions. It was a difficult introduction to corporate partnerships. Thankfully, there were a few stellar colleagues at that museum who modeled alternate paths. I spent the next decade or so […]
Learn how to grow your corporate sponsorship program Read More »
The Lawrence Hall of Science (known as “the Lawrence”) at the University of California, Berkeley, has long offered field trip workshops for students. In recent years—and especially now, during the COVID-19 pandemic—we’ve found that teachers may need these experiences just as much as their students to support their own professional learning journeys. The Next Generation
“Look-fors”: A tool for teachers Read More »
In early 2007, the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) opened an exhibition on the history, human variation, and lived experience of race. The groundbreaking RACE: Are We So Different? was created by a multi-racial team from the American Anthropological Association and Science Museum of Minnesota, with funding from the Ford Foundation and the National Science Foundation. The exhibition
As the ongoing pandemic is showing, STEM disciplines are vital to figuring out ways of coping with a range of disasters. There’s no better time than the present to capitalize on youth interest in increasingly common natural disasters and the technology used to address them. Science centers have been playing a significant role by connecting
From Fires to Floods: Science centers, natural disasters, and Teen Science Cafés Read More »
Two ASTC member institutions have received grants from the U.S. National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). They are among 213 projects supported by $32.8 million in grants and fellowships from this independent federal agency established in 1965. Although NEH generally supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities, science-based
Two ASTC members earn grants from National Endowment for the Humanities Read More »
The variety of activities ASTC members conducted in the summer of COVID-19 have provided valuable lessons for all members of the ASTC community. With a bit of time to reflect on successes and not-so successful activities related to summer camps, a few U.S. ASTC members were willing to share their perspectives on what worked, what
Lessons learned from a COVID summer Read More »
December 3, 2020 A number of individuals involved in science engagement have been elected by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) as AAAS Fellows. Beginning in 1874, AAAS has been electing Fellows in recognition of diverse accomplishments, including research, leadership, teaching, mentoring, fostering collaborations, and advancing public understanding of science. James Bell
New AAAS Fellows include those committed to public engagement in science Read More »
The Association of Science and Technology Centers is saddened to share the news of the passing of Gregory Andorfer on October 29, 2020. Our community has lost a true champion for public engagement in science and powerful advocate for the science center and museum field. Greg served as executive director and chief executive officer of
In Memoriam: Gregory Andorfer Read More »
ASTC speaks with Dr. Spencer Crew, interim director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Q&A with Spencer Crew Read More »
As the pandemic and social unrest have continued to ravage what remains of the status quo, science and technology centers and museums are stepping up their efforts to serve their local communities. One particular kind of activity that has proved vital, especially in recent months, has been addressing food insecurity through farmers markets and related
Combating food insecurity, ASTC members share fresh food with communities Read More »
A Q&A with Kate Semmens, Thriving Earth Exchange Community Science Fellow Kate Semmens is the Science Director at ASTC member Nurture Nature Center in Easton, Pennsylvania, where she helps advance the organization’s scientific and environmental outreach efforts, especially related to floods, climate change, art and science, community science, and social science research. She holds a PhD in environmental and
So you think you want to become a Community Science Fellow Read More »
Interviewed by Susan Straight July 20, 2020 Maya Ajmera is the president and CEO of Society for Science & the Public and publisher of Science News. The Society is best known for its world-class science competitions, award-winning journalism, and outreach and equity programs. Maya was also the founder of The Global Fund for Children, an organization dedicated
Q&A with Maya Ajmera Read More »
Interviewed by Susan Straight Vinton Cerf, along with his colleague Robert E. Kahn, won the U.S. National Medal of Technology for “creating and sustaining development of Internet Protocols” and for his continued leadership in this field. They were awarded the Alan M. Turing award (the “Nobel Prize of Computer Science”) for their work on the
Q&A with Vinton Cerf Read More »
Interviewed by Susan Straight Dorothy Tovar, a PhD candidate in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Stanford University, studies bat cells to determine how bats can host and spread viral diseases that are deadly to humans without succumbing themselves. She hopes to understand bats’ immune responses and heighten awareness of the evolutionary drivers that lead
Q&A with Dorothy Tovar Read More »
By Erica Palma Kimmerling from Dimensions January/February 2020 Those of us who endeavor to weave science more thoroughly into the fabric of society seek a world where everyone is empowered to interpret, use, or seek new scientific knowledge. This vision is shared across disciplines, methodologies, and venues. It is the common goal that underlies the efforts of everyone
Breaking Down Silos Between Science Engagement Professionals Read More »
IN THIS ISSUE January/February 2020 In this issue, we explore the benefits of breaking down silos. When teams, isolated units, or organizations operate out of step or even at cross-purposes with one another, action may be required. Breaking down silos can increase effectiveness, efficiency, communication, and camaraderie. It can allow for programs and events not
Dimensions, January/February 2020—Breaking Down Silos Read More »
By Cristin Dorgelo We’re using this first issue of 2020 to examine how to step out of silos to foster collaboration toward positive forward progress. Silos exist within organizations, preserved through cultures, practices, and habits that disincentivize teamwork and transparency. Silos exist between organizations and across fields that limit our ability to learn about promising
Breaking Down Barriers by Building Bridges Read More »
Interviewed by Susan Straight This interview appeared in the January/February 2020 issue of Dimensions magazine. Nalini Nadkarni is an ecologist and professor at the University of Utah, a pioneer of treetop canopy research, a National Geographic Explorer, and an adviser for Mattel’s new line of Explorer Barbies. She has won numerous major awards, such as
Q&A with Nalini Nadkarni Read More »
By Beth Murphy, editor of Connected Science Learning Journal, a joint initiative of ASTC and the National Science Teaching Association For most of my career in science and STEM education, I’ve worked at the interface between museums or other educational institutions and schools, finding synergies in their efforts to improve science learning experiences for kids and
Partnering With Education Read More »
IN THIS ISSUE November/December 2019 Our theme for this issue is “engaging in education.” Read inspiring examples of science and technology centers and classroom educators working together to share resources and build on each other’s successes. Get inspired to take on a new partnership with your local school system, or use ideas in these articles
Dimensions, November/December 2019—Engaging in Education Read More »