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 publisher of Nature magazine—in collaboration with Sense About Science—is seeking nominations for The John Maddox Prize, which honors researchers who stand up and speak out for science and evidence-based policy, advancing public discussion around difficult topics, despite challenges or hostility, and successfully making a change in public discourse or policy. Winners will be selected
Nature seeking nominations for individuals who stand up for science 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 »
The Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has issued has launched a funding opportunity for empowering K–8 youth through place-based learning. This program seeks to increase the scientific and environmental literacy and problem-solving skills of children and youth in the Gulf of Mexico region by supporting the
Funding opportunity: National Academies Gulf Research Program 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 »
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 »
This post was written by Claire Dorsett, a museum professional and former ASTC Community Science Dialogue & Deliberation Fellow. She is currently the Director of STEM Programming for Fab-in-a-Box at The Fab Foundation. Giant cow wearing giant-cow-sized eclipse glasses at Ohio’s Geauga County Fair. (Image courtesy Claire Dorsett) Excitement is ramping up around two stellar
Getting Ready for the Celestial Double Feature: Solar Eclipses in 2023 & 2024! Read More »
ASTC emphasized the importance of public engagement with science in comments to the National Science Foundation (NSF) as it develops a roadmap for its new Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate. The comments were submitted in response to a Request for Information issued by the agency. ASTC encouraged NSF to focus on technology areas that
ASTC champions public engagement with science to new NSF directorate Read More »
The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) has signed off on a letter that it will send to the Biden-Harris Administration calling for advancing public engagement with the sciences. Although the letter hasn’t been formally shared yet, members of the PCAST working group summarized its contents during a public meeting of PCAST
PCAST approves letter on advancing public engagement with the sciences Read More »
The New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) in Corona, New York, has been selected by the National Science Board (NSB) as one of two recipients of its Science and Society Award, which honors individuals and groups that have made substantial contributions in the arts, media, education, or training programs to increase public understanding and appreciation
The Association of Science and Technology Center (ASTC) has presented Jamie Bell with the ASTC Fellow Award for Outstanding Contribution. The award, bestowed by the ASTC Board of Directors, is the association’s highest honor and is presented to individuals who have performed exemplary service to the field and furthered the public understanding of science. Jamie
Jamie Bell honored with the ASTC Fellow Award for Outstanding Contribution Read More »
By Irmarís Rivera-Llavona, Laura Allen, Dr. Amanda Dewey, and Dr. Jeffrey Warren The American Geophysical Union’s Thriving Earth Exchange brings together scientists, community leaders, and sponsors to work toward solving local challenges related to natural resources, climate change, and natural hazards. Our group of diverse leaders and experts have joined forces to address climate change
Using community science to protect tree canopies Read More »
Dennis Schatz has been honored with the Robert H. Carleton Award from the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA). Considered NSTA’s highest honor, the award recognizes one individual who has made outstanding contributions to, and provided leadership in, science education at the national level and to NSTA in particular. Dennis has been a champion for informal
Dennis Schatz honored with NSTA’s most prestigious award Read More »
ASTC is pleased to partner with Science Near Me, a new web and mobile platform to help connect people with opportunities to explore, experience, and engage in science right in their own communities. The new ScienceNearMe.org website makes it easy for people to find STEM experiences to enjoy in their local areas as well as
Science Near Me platform helps public discover science experiences Read More »
Following on the earlier advisory on confronting health misinformation, the U.S. Surgeon General has released a community toolkit for addressing health misinformation, defined as “information that is false, inaccurate, or misleading according to the best available evidence at the time.” The toolkit identifies some of the common types of health misinformation—including memes, misleading graphs, and
Surgeon General community toolkit for addressing health misinformation Read More »
A coalition of national museum and library associations, including ASTC, today announced the recipients of the second round of funding for Communities for Immunity. Supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Communities for Immunity provides funding awards and support to museums and libraries engaging their communities
The United Nations General Assembly has approved a resolution declaring 2022 as the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD2022). With this resolution, the United Nations General Assembly “invites all [its] Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and other global, regional and subregional organizations, as well as other relevant stakeholders, including
The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) is set to begin this Sunday, October 31, in Glasgow, Scotland. This seminal meeting will bring together representatives from the nearly 200 nations that are signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to advance global action on climate. COP26 provides an ideal opportunity
COP26 draws attention to climate, role of museums Read More »
The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) and the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) today announced the recipients of the first round of funding for Communities for Immunity. Supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Communities for Immunity provides funding awards and
Communities for Immunity is an unprecedented partnership between museums, libraries, science centers, and other cultural institutions to boost COVID-19 vaccine confidence in communities across the United States.
Museums and libraries join forces to boost vaccine confidence Read More »