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.
By Yanet Lopez, Angelica Gastelum, and Ivel Gontan This post also appears on the San Diego STEM Ecosystem blog. Yanet Lopez, community engagement manager at the Fleet Science Center, and Angelica Gastelum, schools coordinator and Kitchenista™ at Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center, first began working together as part of the National City STEAM Collaborative, a …
Christofer Nelson, ASTC’s President and CEO released the following statement: On January 6, we saw a frightening display of attempted mob rule at the United States Capitol Building. As Members of Congress were certifying the results of a free and fair election with an unambiguous outcome, violent extremists were engaged in an unprecedented attack on …
An update on international collaboration from ASPAC, ASTC, Ecsite, NAMES, RedPOP, and SAASTEC. Over the past year, hundreds of science centers and science museums from around the world have gathered in virtual forums to share insights and strategies for advancing science engagement and science learning in our communities as we navigate the challenges and losses …
Global science engagement networks continue international partnerships in 2020 and 2021 Read More »
As we count down to the start of the ASTC Virtual 2020 Annual Conference, we’ll be highlighting the plenary sessions that will bring the community together. Opening Keynote “Science communication and storytelling to make science more equitable and inclusive” The ASTC Virtual 2020 Annual Conference will begin with a keynote from Dr. Mónica Feliú-Mójer, who will …
As we count down to the start of the ASTC Virtual 2020 Annual Conference, we’ll be highlighting the plenary sessions that will bring the community together. Alan J. Friedman Science Center Dialogues “The role of public engagement in science for combating misinformation and building community capacity for solving problems” The Alan J. Friedman Science Center Dialogues are conducted …
Erica Palma Kimmerling, ASTC’s Senior Advisor for Science Engagement Policy and Partnerships contributed to this post. In her previous role as the Hellman Fellow for Science and Technology Policy at the American Academy for the Arts, Erica’s primary work was the Public Face of Science project. In 2016, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences launched The Public Face of …
Takeaways from The Public Face of Science in America: Priorities for the Future Read More »
In 2016, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences launched The Public Face of Science project—an effort to better understand the complex and evolving relationship between science and society, and examine how trust in science is shaped by individual experiences, beliefs, and engagement with science. In advance of the release of the final project report later this month, …
Interviewed by Susan Straight July 20, 2020 Maya Ajmera is the president and CEO of Society for Science & the Public and publisher of Science News. The Society is best known for its world-class science competitions, award-winning journalism, and outreach and equity programs. Maya was also the founder of The Global Fund for Children, an organization dedicated …
Over the past few days, the world has seen on full display the anguish and anger of people across the United States as we face the concurrent crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and of pervasive racism and associated police violence. Both crises have disproportionally impacted Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and both are calling …
By Erica Palma Kimmerling from Dimensions January/February 2020 Those of us who endeavor to weave science more thoroughly into the fabric of society seek a world where everyone is empowered to interpret, use, or seek new scientific knowledge. This vision is shared across disciplines, methodologies, and venues. It is the common goal that underlies the efforts of everyone …
Breaking Down Silos Between Science Engagement Professionals Read More »
Interviewed by Susan Straight This interview appeared in the January/February 2020 issue of Dimensions magazine. Nalini Nadkarni is an ecologist and professor at the University of Utah, a pioneer of treetop canopy research, a National Geographic Explorer, and an adviser for Mattel’s new line of Explorer Barbies. She has won numerous major awards, such as …
From original videos to free admission days to special family activities, museums marked International Science Center and Science Museum Day in a wide variety of ways: Domus, Museos Científicos Coruñeses in A Coruña, Spain, opened a new exhibit, Bocados, with several activities on water, equality, and health: preparing meals, an interactive screen display, and origami. Mid-Hudson …
Science centers and museums celebrate ISCSMD 2019 Read More »
As we approach International Science Center and Science Museum Day (ISCSMD), read about how The Franklin Institute is marking the occasion. Tell us how you plan to observe ISCSMD by emailing ASTC’s Walter Staveloz at wstaveloz@astc.org. This year for International Science Center and Science Museum Day (ISCSMD), The Franklin Institute is crafting our celebration around …
On November 10, 2018, science centers and museums around the world celebrated the third annual International Science Center and Science Museum Day (ISCSMD). From science demonstrations and special guest lectures to hands-on experiments and workshops—participating institutions offered a diverse range of learning activities throughout the day. Collectively these institutions highlighted the unique impact and reach of …
ASTC partnered with Saint Louis Science Center to present a two-day workshop, Thursday–Friday, May 3–4, exploring both the possibilities and the challenges faced when integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, and robotics into informal education programs and exhibitions. Inspiration on the Cutting Edge During this hands-on workshop, participants Explored …
Workshop—A New Reality: Emerging Technologies for Your Visitors Read More »
Creativity is a necessary skill for all ages—young, old, and everyone in between. Cultivating minds to think creatively is vital to foster advances in science and innovation, and there is no better place to do that than in science centers and museums, since research shows that creativity is developed through hands-on, experiential learning. A …
“ASTC on Air” spoke with Justin Dillon, professor of science and environmental education at the University of Exeter in Devon, England, United Kingdom. Dillon taught in London high schools for 10 years before joining King’s College London in 1989, where he was involved in training teachers and researching learning in classrooms and museums for almost …
By Timothy Rhue II, Senior Informal Education Specialist, Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, and NASA’s Universe of Learning NASA’s Universe of Learning needs your help. We need informal learning sites that want to use NASA astrophysics materials to develop programs, exhibits, or other projects. We are partnering with ASTC to offer professional development, guidance …