Association of Science and Technologies Centers

A year of data on science center attendance and operations provides signs of hope

/ ASTC News & Announcements, Issues, Policy, and Advocacy, Science and Technology Center and Museum Stories / By

In response to the continuing impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on science centers and museums, ASTC has been conducting a Weekly Attendance and Operations Survey since June 2020. This ongoing survey project contains a data-benchmarking tool for members to collect and report on their visitor attendance and operational status. We have now completed analysis …

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Smithsonian-led Vaccines & US Initiative launches

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

Earlier today, a new Smithsonian-led nationwide initiative was launched to activate museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions in supporting efforts to provide Americans with accessible and trustworthy resources related to COVID-19 vaccination: “Vaccines & US: Cultural Organizations for Community Health.” The new VaccinesAndUS.org website includes free resources that cultural organizations can use to help their …

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American Rescue Plan includes provisions helpful for museums

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy / By

Later today, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to approve the version of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 which recently passed the Senate on a party-line vote. House approval will send the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 recovery bill for President Biden’s signature. While much of the media has focused on the direct payments …

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UK science center is first to serve as large vaccination location

/ Science and Technology Center and Museum Stories / By

The International Centre for Life in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, opened last week as a COVID-19 vaccination location operated by England’s National Health Service (NHS). It is believed to be the first large-scale vaccination site hosted by a science center. The vaccination clinic, which has the capacity to vaccinate up to 1,000 people per …

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Congress poised to extend Paycheck Protection Program and allow second draw

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy / By

ASTC is reading through the text of the almost 5,600-page omnibus spending and COVID relief bill for provisions relevant to the ASTC community. This is the first in a series of blog posts about the legislation in which we highlight changes to the Paycheck Protection Program. Please also see another post discussing the new Grants …

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Lessons learned from a COVID summer

/ Dimensions, Science and Technology Center and Museum Stories / By

The variety of activities ASTC members conducted in the summer of COVID-19 have provided valuable lessons for all members of the ASTC community. With a bit of time to reflect on successes and not-so successful activities related to summer camps, a few U.S. ASTC members were willing to share their perspectives on what worked, what …

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Science center visits down almost 75% from 2019, but slowly increase after reopening

/ ASTC News & Announcements, Issues, Policy, and Advocacy, Science and Technology Center and Museum Stories / By

Members of the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) that have reopened to the public after closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic have seen visitor attendance that is down 74 percent from the same time period in 2019. This is one example of the sobering information shared in a recent ASTC report detailing the …

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Science centers have lost more than $600 million in revenue due to the pandemic

/ ASTC News & Announcements, Issues, Policy, and Advocacy, Science and Technology Center and Museum Stories / By

A new report from the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) estimates that ASTC museum members around the world have lost more than $600 million in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, almost overnight, every one of the ASTC’s nearly 500 member science and technology centers and museums closed their doors to …

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#InviteCongress for an August visit

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy / By

This post was written in collaboration with the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) and is cross posted on the ACM blog. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on science and technology centers and museums, natural history museums, children’s museums, and other STEM-rich, place-based institutions. Our field is beginning to get a sense of …

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Grants from the National Endowment of the Humanities will help sustain seven ASTC Members through the COVID-19 pandemic

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy, Science and Technology Center and Museum Stories / By

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced $40.3 million in new grants to help more than 300 cultural institutions across the country navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. As part $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, NEH received $75 million in supplemental funding. The NEH’s CARES Act grants will help awardees retain staff who can preserve …

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Connecticut Science Center launches Love Science campaign

/ Science and Technology Center and Museum Stories / By

This post is contributed by Matt Fleury, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Science Center. Over the past several months, we have seen an historic public health crisis catapult us into a time of social and economic pain. This reminds us that life as we know it depends fundamentally on our ability to …

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Science Centers Step Up to Provide Childcare for Essential Workers

/ Science and Technology Center and Museum Stories / By

Even while their institutions’ doors are closed to the public, science and technology centers and museums are continuing to serve their missions and their communities. Here are two examples of ASTC members providing emergency childcare to the families of essential workers, using their expertise in engaging children in STEM and large, empty facilities. Helping the …

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

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

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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A Deep Dive into the New CARES Act Grant Programs from the U.S. Department of Education

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy / By

Updated July 1, 2020 to include information about the newly announced “Reimagine Workforce Preparation Grants Program.” The U.S. Department of Education (ED) received $30.75 billion for an “Educational Stabilization Fund” through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020. Four grant programs—each described in greater depth below—are part …

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How Museums Are Helping Keep Essential Workers Safe

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

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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