Association of Science and Technologies Centers

Association of Science and Technology Centers

COVID-19

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 /

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 […]

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

Connecticut Science Center launches Love Science campaign

/ Science and Technology Center and Museum Stories /

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

Connecticut Science Center launches Love Science campaign Read More »

Science Centers Step Up to Provide Childcare for Essential Workers

/ Science and Technology Center and Museum Stories /

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

Science Centers Step Up to Provide Childcare for Essential Workers Read More »

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

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

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

IMLS Issues Funding Opportunity for CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries Read More »

143 Chambers of Commerce Urge the U.S. Congress to Support Cultural Institutions

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy /

On May 6, a coalition of 143 chambers of commerce sent a letter to U.S. Congressional leadership requesting Federal relief and funding for the cultural and performing arts sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic, including museums, aquariums, and zoos. Led by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) and the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce (New York),

143 Chambers of Commerce Urge the U.S. Congress to Support Cultural Institutions Read More »

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

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy /

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

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

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

How Museums Are Helping Keep Essential Workers Safe Read More »

88 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives Support $6 Billion for Museums

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy /

On April 16, 88 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to House leadership, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), that requests a dedicated fund of up to $6 billion for museums to be distributed through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Fred Upton (R-MI) were

88 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives Support $6 Billion for Museums Read More »

Including STEM Engagement in U.S. COVID-19 Recovery Efforts

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy /

In addition to their core research work, many Federal science agencies have a mission to engage the public with current scientific research; educate Americans in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); and seed tomorrow’s workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic emphasizes the importance of providing tools for the public to evaluate scientific information, bolstering community science literacy,

Including STEM Engagement in U.S. COVID-19 Recovery Efforts Read More »

Museum Community Asks for Support in Phase 4 of U.S. Federal COVID-19 Relief

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy /

As a result of our previous collective advocacy efforts, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act enacted on March 27, 2020 included nonprofits in the loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and some support for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). See  this summary  for more on the CARES Act. On April 6, nine museum associations

Museum Community Asks for Support in Phase 4 of U.S. Federal COVID-19 Relief Read More »

Relief for museums and nonprofits in the $2 trillion CARES Act

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy /

The U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act enacted on March 27, 2020 is a $2 trillion relief package that provides financial support for individuals, small businesses, states, and other entities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act follows passage of two other pieces of COVID-19 legislation: the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response

Relief for museums and nonprofits in the $2 trillion CARES Act Read More »

Science Centers and Museums Can Play Life-Saving Role During COVID-19

/ ASTC News & Announcements /

The American Red Cross needs the help of U.S. science centers and museums. As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to impact communities across the United States, the Red Cross mission—to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies—continues with a deepened resolve. One example of essential emergency response is to remain steadfast in providing

Science Centers and Museums Can Play Life-Saving Role During COVID-19 Read More »

A Second Letter to Congress Requests $4 Billion for Museums for COVID-19 Economic Relief

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy /

On Wednesday, March 18, ASTC joined with our colleagues to send a letter urging the United States Congress to include at least $4 billion for nonprofit museums in COVID-19 economic relief legislation to provide emergency assistance through June. Museums are losing at least $33 million a day due to closures as a result of the  COVID-19 outbreak and are in desperate need

A Second Letter to Congress Requests $4 Billion for Museums for COVID-19 Economic Relief Read More »

Asking Congress to Support Museums in COVID-19 Response

/ Issues, Policy, and Advocacy /

UPDATE: A new letter asking for $4 billion in relief funds for museums and a temporary universal charitable deduction was sent on Wednesday, March 18. View the blog. On Friday, March 13, ASTC joined with our colleagues to send a letter asking the United States Congress to consider museums and other centers for science engagement that are helping communities prepare and respond to

Asking Congress to Support Museums in COVID-19 Response Read More »

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

Science Behind the News: Coronavirus – Sharing resources Read More »

Scroll to Top