Our Strategic Direction
ASTC’s strategy focuses on the meaningful participation of ASTC members and partners toward a positive shared future, as they engage their communities in science and technology.
Our Vision
Increased understanding of—
and engagement with—
science and technology among all people
Our Purpose
To champion and support science and technology
centers and museums
The Work of Our Members
ASTC leadership engaged in an intensive, year-long process of listening to our members and partners about the opportunities and challenges they see in their work and how ASTC can support their needs and aspirations.
Our Guiding Principles
At the heart of our strategic direction is a commitment to work inclusively, collaboratively, humbly, and effectively with members and partners.
- Support all types of science and technology centers and museums
- Include diverse ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds
- Collaborate through mission-driven partnerships
- Engage globally from North America
- Make data-driven decisions and adapt to change
The Three Pillars of Our Strategic Direction
The strategy is focused on delivering supports to help our members to thrive—now and in the future. This commitment runs through each of the three pillars of our new strategic direction:
ASTC will do this by elevating the work of science centers and museums, forging new collaborations across the science-engagement ecosystem, and investing in communications and advocacy.
We will do this by facilitating learning and collaboration among members, spreading ideas that work, and cultivating leadership skills across our members’ workforce.
What's In It for You?
Learn More
Inclusive and Participatory Governance
As one step in our commitment to our guiding principles, the ASTC Board of Directors has approved an update to ASTC’s Bylaws, in the spirit of making ASTC’s governance processes more transparent, inclusive, and engaging for our members. These bylaws updates, effective October 1, 2019, include:
- Extension of voting rights to all Science Center and Museum Members, with an inclusive eligibility requirement reflecting the diversity of institutions across the science-center field;
- Updating of the prior Sustaining Member class to a new Allied Member class that welcomes organizations that share ASTC’s vision for increased understanding of—and engagement with—science and technology among all people;
- Extending to that Allied Member class up to 3 seats on ASTC’s Board of Directors, to better welcome, engage, and learn from organizations that share our vision; and
- Generally engaging more members in ASTC’s board and governance, in part through a sunset of ASTC’s Governing Member category, and extending Board eligibility to chief executives of all Science Center and Museum members.
Connect with Us
Share your thoughts on this direction and let us know how else we can support your efforts at ideas@astc.org.