The digital publication of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
The ASTC Dimensions Resource Library provides peer-reviewed guides, articles, and insights written by science engagement colleagues about topics relevant to science centers and museums and other organizations committed to engaging the public in science and technology. Interested in contributing to the resource library? Learn more about our quarterly submission cycle and our submission guidelines.
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The organizational and contributor characteristics reflect the ways that ASTC classifies member organizations and individuals in our data collection and reflect categorization at the time the article was originally published.
Our world faces a multitude of complex challenges at the intersection of science and society, from public health and climate change to AI and digital literacy. In the last decade, the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), science centers, museums, and the broader science engagement field have been part of an ongoing conversation marking […]
You’ve just found out you need to organize a food-based event or exhibit (or program!) at your museum… write your initial reaction. EXCITEMENT & NERVOUSNESS! 🙁 Lots of pressure/lots of things to consider Health & safety: can we do this in a sanitary way? Check for allergies Can it take place outside? Panic!! No food […]
Science centers and museums are places that reveal as well as construct the deep connections between “science” and “society.” As places for shared learning and discovery, science centers and museums are increasingly involving the public in efforts to question and improve scientific practices, particularly at the institutional level. The names for these endeavors vary—community science, […]
Walking into the final showcase of NeuroVivid camp, one saw a buzzing room of middle schoolers wearing Electroencephalogram (EEG) headsets and proudly demonstrating how their brain waves can power custom-made circuit creations. NeuroVivid camp was a program developed by TERC, New York Hall of Science, and Education Development Center to empower neurodivergent middle schoolers from […]
At the September 2025 ASTC Conference, the Lived Experience of Disability in Museums Research Group facilitated an interactive workshop on disability employment in museums and science centers, led by disabled museum professionals. Our central premise guiding the workshop is that accessibility in museums must be understood as a labor issue embedded in organizational structures, as well as a visitor-facing concern. At the session, we invited participants […]
Educators are critical to science museum operations, both inside the museum and in the community. © Florida Museum of Natural History / Jeff Gage Every visitor’s experience at a science center or museum is enhanced by their engagement with museum staff. When visitors interact with members of museum teams, it can increase their sense of […]
What does poison actually do inside your body? The answer lies in the fascinating field of biochemistry—a hidden world shaping everything we do, yet one most of us can’t see or explain. The challenge is making it both understandable and engaging for all ages. Why Biochemistry Can Feel Out of Reach Biochemistry is the science of how living systems […]
Math is uniquely associated with anxiety and phobia. When was the last time you heard anyone say they were “history-phobic”?
Children are naturally curious about the world around them. They ask questions, notice patterns, and try to make sense of what they observe. For children’s museums and science centers, this innate curiosity is a powerful starting point. When we give young visitors tools to explore their questions, we help them develop the skills they need […]
AI-enabled tools and systems are rapidly changing many parts of our lives, yet there is a real gap between AI’s growing societal influence and public understanding or agency. Most of us don’t fully understand what AI is, how it’s shaping our lives, or how to navigate it carefully and thoughtfully. We need to develop our […]