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 and Sanofi are proud to announce a national cohort of 14 science centers and museums from across the United States participating in The Air We Share, a multi-year initiative designed to help communities better understand how environmental challenges like air pollution, wildfires, and extreme heat affect respiratory health, and the actions individuals and communities can take to
ASTC is excited to announce the launch of Beyond Access, a new project aimed at making informal STEM learning organizations more welcoming and supportive for people who are neurodivergent and people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). Informal STEM learning organizations, like science centers, children’s museums, public gardens, zoos, and aquariums, offer powerful opportunities
Beyond Access: Expanding Opportunity Across Informal STEM Learning Spaces Read More »
Like the science centers and museums that compose the Seeding Action network, the Seeding Action team loves a good question. Here is one we have been turning over in our work lately: What happens if we consider imagination as a vital component of building a culture of active hope and an environment that supports planetary
New Seeding Action Resources on Imagination & Planetary Health 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 »
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 assume their positions at the conclusion of the ASTC Annual Conference on September 8, 2025. The Board provides direction to ASTC, which represents organizations committed to public engagement with
ASTC Announces Board of Elections Results, Welcomes New Leadership 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 »
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 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 »
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
ASTC Year-in-Review for 2024 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 »
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 »