Association of Science and Technologies Centers

Institute of Museum and Library Services opens applications for six grant programs

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy, Resources & Learning /

On August 18, the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) issued notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) for six museum grant opportunities: Museums for America Inspire! Grants for Small Museums Museums Empowered National Leadership Grants for Museums Museum Grants for African American History and Culture Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services ASTC members have historically […]

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U.S. Department of Education FY 2020 Education Innovation and Research Early-Phase Competition

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy, Resources & Learning /

The U.S. Department of Education has released details about a new funding opportunity that may be of interest to the ASTC community: the fiscal year (FY) 2020 Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program’s Early-Phase Competition. As described in the Federal Register notice describing the program, The Department expects that Early-phase grants provide funding to support

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New free webinar series helps museums take diversity and inclusion efforts from intention to action

/ Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion, Resources & Learning /

This post was produced in collaboration with the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) and crossposted on the ACM blog.  Museums across the country are navigating a critical moment: the urgent need to challenge systemic racism in our communities and institutions alongside the interconnected effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic stress. To effectively respond to

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Museum Practitioners Publish Open-Access Scholarship at the Intersection of Personal Identity and Museum Practice

/ Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion, Resources & Learning /

Twelve museum professionals from across the United States took part in a new professional development program—the Writing Scholars Workshop—that seeks to elevate the voices of a new generation of museum workers, and advance the museum field’s dialogue around critical topics and practices.  Developed and led by Curator: The Museum Journal and Knology, a nonprofit social science think tank,

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Discussion Series: Rebuilding and Engaging Your Team in a COVID-19 World

/ Resources & Learning /

With many science center and museum staff working in new ways, redeployed, and furloughed, how are you supporting their needs? How are they learning and coping with new roles? How will these extraordinary times shape your future workforce? Please join Dennis Schatz (Institute for Learning Innovation), Andy Aichele (COSI), Lesley Markham (ASTC) for a series

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IMLS Issues Funding Opportunity for CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy, Resources & Learning /

On May 8, the Institute of Museum of Library Services (IMLS) issued a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for IMLS Cares Act Grants for Museums and Libraries (CAG-ML-FY20). The IMLS CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries grant program invites project proposals that focus on preserving jobs, training staff, addressing the digital divide, planning

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How Museums Are Helping Keep Essential Workers Safe

/ Resources & Learning, Science and Technology Center and Museum Stories /

This post was written in collaboration with the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) and is crossposted on the ACM blog. Updated on April 27 to add The Franklin Institute and Gateway to Science. Children’s museums and science centers have overwhelmingly closed in response to COVID-19. While museums can no longer welcome visitors, they are leveraging

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Science Behind the News: Coronavirus – Sharing resources

/ Resources & Learning, Science and Technology Center and Museum Stories /

This post is contributed by Geralyn Abinader, Creative Producer at the New York Hall of Science. As the news of the COVID-19 outbreak began rippling through the news and social media, staff at the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) recognized that we had a unique opportunity to provide a voice of scientific reason on

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Spectacular NIH Microscopy Images Available

/ Resources & Learning /

Make your own exhibit of stunning, high resolution, professional-quality microscopy images using downloads from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) image gallery. The beautiful images are not only rich with educational value, but also free for noncommercial use. A select collection of these images—all taken by researchers—hung in an exhibit, Life Magnified,  at Washington Dulles International Airport’s

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Portal to the Public honored by Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society

/ Resources & Learning /

Portal to the Public has been honored with the inaugural Enduring Achievement Award from the Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS). The initiative is a flexible strategic framework that helps science centers and other informal learning organizations create meaningful face-to-face interactions between working scientists and public audiences. Although each setting is unique, most

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Your Guide to Creating a Competitive Diversity Fellows Application

/ Impact & Initiatives, Resources & Learning /

So you want to be a 2019 Diversity and Leadership Development Fellow? You’ve talked with your supervisor, considered your professional goals, built a passion for making change in the science center field, and you are now ready to apply to the 2019 ASTC Diversity and Leadership Development Fellows Program. Below are some tips and advice

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Announcing a Collaborative Project Management Opportunity

/ ASTC News & Announcements, Resources & Learning /

Applications closed Monday, December 10, 2018, at 11:45 p.m. ET   Leading complex, diverse, multi-organizational teams working to broaden participation in STEM is a challenging mission with potentially life-changing outcomes. Having a plan doesn’t mean a project will be successful. Individuals and organizations are diverse in their experience, cultural perspectives, personal motivations, and priorities. Properly

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Preparing Your Strongest 2018 ASTC Diversity Fellows Application

/ Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion, Resources & Learning /

It’s that time again: A chance for you to be part of the ASTC Diversity and Leadership Development Fellows! So dust off your resume, oil up your keyboard, and start talking to your advocates. Join applicants from across the United States and Canada over the next few weeks as you create the best application possible.

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Workshops—Tinkering: The Series

/ Resources & Learning /

More adventurous than the latest Hollywood superhero movie franchise and more exciting than a PowerPoint presentation on the theory and philosophy underlying the facilitation of making experiences, ASTC announces: The Tinkering Workshops, a series of in-depth gatherings designed by members of the ASTC Making & Tinkering Spaces in Museums Community of Practice (CoP). The Series

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Gaining Perspective in Free-Choice Learning: Reflecting on Practice

/ Impact & Initiatives, Resources & Learning /

Looking back on things helps us gain perspective, but truly reflecting on educational practices helps build a roadmap guiding us into the future By Lindzy Bivings, Senior Manager, School & Community Programs, California Academy of Sciences Here are five tips in gaining perspective through using reflection to become a more effective educator. These are strategies

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