Association of Science and Technologies Centers

Dimensions, November/December 2014—Reconstructing STEM in our Schools

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IN THIS ISSUE November/December 2014 Countries worldwide recognize the need to cultivate a scientifically literate population and prepare a strong science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Many national and regional governments are therefore launching initiatives aimed at teaching STEM more effectively in schools. In this issue, […]

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How Can Museums Help Teachers with the Next Generation Science Standards?

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By Jim Short From Dimensions November/December 2014 Released in 2013, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) have the potential to revolutionize science education in the United States, requiring a very different way of thinking about learning and teaching science. Now is an opportune moment to prepare teachers for these new approaches to science instruction and

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Teaching STEM with Real-World Relevance in Singapore

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By TM Lim From Dimensions November/December 2014 In September 2013, Singapore’s Minister for Education Swee Keat Heng shared his vision of making “Every School a Good School.” His idea of a good school is one that provides a solid education to all students and encourages them to become confident, self-motivated, lifelong learners. Minister Heng’s vision

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Science Festivals: Celebrations of Science Around the World

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This is an extended version of an article that appeared in the September/October 2014 issue of Dimensions magazine. A growing number of science festivals are now taking place across the world every year. In the United States alone, around four dozen new science festival initiatives have emerged in just the past five years. Each science

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Dimensions, September/October 2014—Celebrating Community Engagement

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IN THIS ISSUE September/October 2014 Download the full issue. Science centers and museums are community-focused institutions. In this issue, we explore many ways science centers are engaging and empowering people in all parts of their communities. Working alongside community members and partners, science centers are addressing key issues, from protecting the environment, to increasing high

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Into the Light: Bringing Science Education to the Incarcerated

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By Nalini Nadkarni From Dimensions September/October 2014 Science belongs everywhere. Although informal science learning typically takes place in the bright spots of society—our museums, botanical gardens, and science centers—some science educators are creating programs for individuals who live in the darker parts of our communities, such as prisons. Over 2 million people are in prison

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STEPS: Where the Drama of Science Meets the Science of Drama

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By Brad McLain From Dimensions July/August 2014 “Once language was available to describe social scenarios from memory and anticipations, we became Homo narratus. We have become psychological beings who are incapable of not narrating our experiences both to ourselves and each other.” —Alan Parry, 1997 People are natural storytellers. We are also natural story hearers.

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Bridging the Gaps: Integrating Citizen Science Throughout an Institution

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By Christine L. Goforth, Julie M. Urban, and Julie E. Horvath From Dimensions May/June 2014 At the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (NCMNS), Raleigh, we’ve made citizen science a priority, because we recognize its power to teach people about the natural world and the role of science in their daily lives. The value of

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Do you think the current surge of making and tinkering spaces in science centers and museums is a temporary fad, or are they here to stay?

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This is an extended discussion of the question that appeared in the Viewpoints department of the May/June 2014 issue of Dimensions magazine. Making and tinkering are not fads. Their presence in science centers and museums may be a fad for many, but “making” is a human biological imperative. We are the species that makes over

Do you think the current surge of making and tinkering spaces in science centers and museums is a temporary fad, or are they here to stay? Read More »

Dimensions, March/April 2014—Cultivating the Future: Science Centers and Agriculture

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IN THIS ISSUE March/April 2014 Inspired by the International Year of Family Farming 2014, this issue of Dimensions examines how science centers and museums are addressing the diverse, complex, and sometimes controversial issues surrounding agriculture. We all depend on agriculture—whether we live in a rural or urban area, in a developed or developing country. Agriculture

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Dimensions, January/February 2014—A Closer Look at Exhibits

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IN THIS ISSUE January/February 2014 Exhibits are central to the work of science centers and museums, and to the experience of our visitors. This issue of Dimensions draws upon the wisdom of our field, compiling practical tips and guidelines from exhibit professionals working in a variety of museums and companies around the world. These professionals

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Exhibit Case Studies

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These case studies complement the article Inside the Process: Three Exhibit Development Case Studies, which appeared in the January/February 2014 issue of Dimensions magazine. Innovation Labs in Indian Science Centers To promote national competitiveness in the 21st century, the president of India declared the present decade (2010–20) as the “decade of innovation.” Taking the agenda

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How much is too much technology in a science center or museum, or is the sky the limit? Does it engage or distract?

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This is an extended discussion of the question that appeared in the Viewpoints department of the January/February 2014 issue of Dimensions magazine. Good examples of technology gone bad can often be traced to poor design. Does the design of an interactive cause visitors to isolate from others, or does it support social engagement? Does the

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Reimagined and Rebranded: Science Centers for the 21st Century

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By Eli Kuslansky and Gregory Peduto From Dimensions September/October 2013 Science centers: bastions of fun and exploration, destinations where children can let loose, providers of hands-on learning to spark a lifelong love of science. However, when children grow into adulthood in our technologically accelerating society, are they still called to science centers to satisfy their

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When are evaluation and other visitor feedback strategies the most useful for helping advance a science center’s mission? When are such strategies less successful?

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This is an extended discussion of the question that appeared in the Viewpoints department of the September/October 2013 issue of Dimensions magazine. Evaluation is a powerful tool for providing visitors with a voice, which then enables us to stay relevant to their needs and motivations. The goal of any exhibit or program is to engage

When are evaluation and other visitor feedback strategies the most useful for helping advance a science center’s mission? When are such strategies less successful? Read More »

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