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.
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
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
How do Americans want to engage with science? Although many studies have explored public opinion and perceptions of science, few have explored if, how, and under what circumstances adults in the U.S. actually want to encounter science content and participate in science-related activities. From 2021-2022, Association of Science and Technology
By Cecilia Garibay, Rabiah Mayas, Jamie Bell, and Shannon Sullivan An increasing number of informal STEM education (ISE) institutions and organizations have committed to become more equitable and inclusive in their strategic approach and organizational practice. Centering equity requires organizations to recognize the interconnectedness of internal operations and externally-focused work
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has named its new class of AAAS Fellows. Election as a AAAS Fellow is a lifetime honor in recognition of diverse accomplishments, including, research, leadership, teaching, mentoring, fostering collaborations, and advancing public understanding of science. Fellows are nominated by AAAS’ 24
Among the new class of AAAS Fellows announced by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) are several individuals affiliated with ASTC members and other committed to public engagement with science. Since 1874, AAAS has been electing Fellows in recognition of diverse accomplishments, including research, leadership, teaching, mentoring,
In 2019, I joined the team developing ASTC’s IF/THEN® Gender Representation Toolkit as an advisor. I am an independent exhibit designer who also writes and consults with museums on matters of gender and sexuality and I was happy to lend my expertise. This toolkit is part of ASTC’s IF/THEN® Gender
Educators at Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing, Michigan partnered with youth representatives across the city and with University of Michigan STEM learning researchers to re-think and re-design the Center with a focus on social justice. Together, we embarked on a project we referred to as Reclaiming the Science Center
Early in my career, I worked in a museum with a storied history of corporations’ dictating content. There were even instances of corporations creating entire exhibitions. It was a difficult introduction to corporate partnerships. Thankfully, there were a few stellar colleagues at that museum who modeled alternate paths. I spent
The Lawrence Hall of Science (known as “the Lawrence”) at the University of California, Berkeley, has long offered field trip workshops for students. In recent years—and especially now, during the COVID-19 pandemic—we’ve found that teachers may need these experiences just as much as their students to support their own