If you looked carefully at business cards you received from ASTC staff at conference, you may have noticed a new mailing address. That’s right: the ASTC office is moving to a new space in Washington, D.C. This move Is more than just a new place to get our mail, but an opportunity for the association …
The ASTC office is moving Read More »
ASTC is pleased to partner with other science engagement networks from around the world to help create and participate in the first ever International Directors Forum on Science Engagement. The event, which will be held November 14–17, 2023, is hosted by Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre, in Vantaa, Finland. The International Directors Forum will bring …
International Directors Forum on Science Engagement on November 14–17 Read More »
At its most recent meeting just before the start of the 2023 Annual Conference, the ASTC Board of Directors approved 12 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 …
ASTC welcomes 12 new and returning members Read More »
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 »
A museum at its best is not just another source of information, no matter how interesting or dazzling that information is. Museums can tell us life-enhancing stories about who we are, why we are here, where we came from, and what is expected of us. Stories that suggest to us what sort of information is …
ASTC50: Reflections on the Eve of ASTC’s 2023 Annual Conference 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 »
Anniversaries endow significance. The 50th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) provides a wonderful opportunity to look back at how the field of science museums and science centers has evolved and grown. Formally incorporated by a group of 23 passionate leaders of science engagement organizations in 1973, ASTC …
ASTC50: Reflecting on our journey Read More »
Credit: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County ASTC’s Community Science Team is proud to share the work resulting from our Partnership Planning Seed Grant Program. Successful community science begins with establishing trust among collaborative partners and ensuring that all partners are working toward shared goals. To that end, our newest grant program was designed …
New Plans for Community Science from Partnership Planning Seed Grant Teams 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 »
ASTC’s Community Science Team is excited to launch our Partnership Planning Seed Grant Program. Successful community science begins with establishing trust among collaborative partners and ensuring that all partners are working toward shared goals. To that end, our newest grant program is designed to support new and emerging collaborations between ASTC member institutions and community-based …
Announcing Our New Community Science Partnership Planning Seed Grant Teams Read More »
Our society is rife with challenging problems for our communities to solve–from public health, to environmental justice and beyond. A neighborhood might identify the need to address flooding challenges impacting their community. Or a group may want to gather and brainstorm how to improve food access in their city. As neighbors come together to solve …
Explore Our New Dialogue & Deliberation Toolkit 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 »
The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) is collaborating with the Center for Science and Industry (COSI) Center for Research and Evaluation and the Oregon State University STEM Research Center to create professional learning and development tools for those who engage the public in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Our project is supported …
Join Us in Creating Tools for Informal STEM Learning Professionals 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 COVID-19 pandemic pushed many science centers and museums to start or expand their online presence and digital programming—or to accelerate plans that had been part of longer-term strategies. As more and more virtual offerings are created, the discussion around digital accessibility has rightfully gained momentum. In listening to our members, ASTC learned that museum …
Digital Engagement for All: An Accessibility Toolkit for Museum Professionals 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 …