The digital publication of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
For more than 20 years, the Association of Science and Technology Centers has published its award-winning magazine, Dimensions. The magazine, which has its roots in the ASTC Newsletter that started back at the origin of ASTC, has published articles that offer a mix of in-depth analysis, interviews, and briefs of noteworthy events and resources for the science center and museum field—and those with an interest in public engagement in science more generally.
In recent years, in addition to the print magazine, ASTC began offering a digital version for subscribers. To ensure this valuable content is as widely available as possible to our community, we are transitioning Dimensions to a fully online publication. Readers can expect the same high-quality content featuring valuable insights into trends, practices, innovations, and crucial issues affecting the field, as well as practical solutions shared among institutions.
Right now, new Dimensions content can be found on the ASTC blog alongside a robust collection of past features from the magazine. In the future, ASTC will build out the Dimensions corner of the ASTC website with online offerings to include complete, downloadable versions of past issues while continuing to publish new articles. No longer bound by the print format, we also hope to expand our offerings to include more video, audio, and graphics.
In addition to finding Dimensions content on our blog, articles will be highlighted in , ASTC’s biweekly member newsletter. If you are not already subscribed to the newsletter, please sign up today. All staff members at ASTC-member organizations are encouraged to subscribe, as Informer is a member benefit and the best way to stay up-to-date on resources shared by members of our community, information about upcoming events, funding opportunities, and more.
Submit to Dimensions
We invite all members of the ASTC community to submit articles and other content for Dimensions.
Our new digital platform provides flexibility with respect to length, topic, timeline, and format, but some content types include the following:
- Features: Articles on current topics of interest to the ASTC community. Generally 800–2,000 words with accompanying multimedia (including video, photos, illustrations, etc.)
- What We Learned: Shorter articles highlighting lessons learned from projects in exhibit development, education, finance, and/or operations, often including bulleted takeaways or suggested actions.
- Viewpoints: Thought-provoking questions designed to illicit insights, different opinions, reader engagement, and membership in ASTC Communities of Practice.
- Q&A Interviews: Conversations with notable individuals, often outside of our immediate field.
We also welcome video versions of these content types.
We encourage the inclusion of photos, illustrations, and videos in any content submitted to Dimensions. ASTC will need to have the rights to publish the images online, including assurance from authors that they have any needed photo releases on file.
Please contact us at dimensions@astc.org to submit a proposal or to ask any questions.
Dimensions will continue its role in serving as the publication of record for our community. Please contact us with staff changes at the senior level, news about your grants and awards, new exhibitions or major projects, or new facilities or renovations.
We also encourage you to add communications@astc.org to your press list.
ASTC’s editorial team maintains full editorial control over Dimensions content. ASTC controls all content of its programs and initiatives. No partners, sponsors, or advertisers are permitted to change or influence the editorial content of Dimensions or of ASTC’s programs. Read this information about reprint permissions.