The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) has announced the individuals, programs, and institutions recognized for leadership and excellence within the museum field. Seven of the 17 honorees are part of the ASTC community. AAM has updated its Awards Program in recent years to better align with the alliance’s strategic framework and more fully center equity […]
AAM Awards honor ASTC members Read More »
The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) has awarded ten science centers and museums around the United States $15,000 each in support of STEM-career engagement for youth in grades 4-8 through Voya STEM Futures. The program is a competitive selection process which is generously funded by the Voya Foundation. Recipients will use the awards
The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) is requesting proposals to host the ASTC Annual Conference in the Fall of 2026 and/or 2027. 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. With more than 1,500
ASTC requests proposals to host 2026 and 2027 conferences Read More »
At its in-person meeting last week, the ASTC Board of Directors approved five organizations as new or returning members 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.
ASTC Board approves five new members Read More »
At its meeting last week—the final one for 2023—the ASTC Board of Directors approved three 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 may be
ASTC welcomes three new members Read More »
ASTC is thrilled to announce the recipients of the Total Eclipse 2024 awards! Fifty (50) U.S.-based science centers and science-focused institutions located within the path of totality for the upcoming 2024 eclipse have been selected to receive gifts of $10,000 each. These awards, made possible through funding from the Simons Foundation as part of their
ASTC and the Simons Foundation Announce Total Eclipse 2024 Award Recipients Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »