ASTC Releases Data on Science Engagement Interests, Motivations, and Barriers among Adults in the U.S. 

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 Centers (ASTC) team members and …

ASTC Releases Data on Science Engagement Interests, Motivations, and Barriers among Adults in the U.S.  Read More »

Equity Audits as a Tool for Change: Holding Up a Mirror to Organizational Practices

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 and examine institutional structures, policies, …

Equity Audits as a Tool for Change: Holding Up a Mirror to Organizational Practices Read More »

AAAS elects Fellows with a connection to our field

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 sections, three previous Fellows, or …

AAAS elects Fellows with a connection to our field Read More »

In Memoriam: Michael Templeton

[Science centers] are generally more accessible in the community, and they allow one to playfully investigate one’s surroundings. Michael Templeton (in “Science Museums: Do-It-Yourself Teachers,” New York Times, April 22, 1979) With sadness, the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) shares that Michael Templeton, former executive director of ASTC, passed away on April 26, …

In Memoriam: Michael Templeton Read More »

Congratulations to new AAAS Fellows committed to public engagement with science

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, fostering collaborations, and advancing public …

Congratulations to new AAAS Fellows committed to public engagement with science Read More »

The challenge of measuring gender

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 Equity project and its aim …

The challenge of measuring gender Read More »

Reclaiming our science center: Youth co-design of the Dr. Katherine Johnson Room

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 (from January 2019 to February …

Reclaiming our science center: Youth co-design of the Dr. Katherine Johnson Room Read More »

Learn how to grow your corporate sponsorship program

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 next decade or so …

Learn how to grow your corporate sponsorship program Read More »

“Look-fors”: A tool for teachers

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 professional learning journeys. The Next Generation …

“Look-fors”: A tool for teachers Read More »

Revising RACE

In early 2007, the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) opened an exhibition on the history, human variation, and lived experience of race. The groundbreaking RACE: Are We So Different? was created by a multi-racial team from the American Anthropological Association and Science Museum of Minnesota, with funding from the Ford Foundation and the National Science Foundation. The exhibition …

Revising RACE Read More »

From Fires to Floods: Science centers, natural disasters, and Teen Science Cafés

As the ongoing pandemic is showing, STEM disciplines are vital to figuring out ways of coping with a range of disasters. There’s no better time than the present to capitalize on youth interest in increasingly common natural disasters and the technology used to address them. Science centers have been playing a significant role by connecting …

From Fires to Floods: Science centers, natural disasters, and Teen Science Cafés Read More »

Two ASTC members earn grants from National Endowment for the Humanities

Two ASTC member institutions have received grants from the U.S. National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). They are among 213 projects supported by $32.8 million in grants and fellowships from this independent federal agency established in 1965. Although NEH generally supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities, science-based …

Two ASTC members earn grants from National Endowment for the Humanities Read More »

Lessons learned from a COVID summer

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 …

Lessons learned from a COVID summer Read More »

New AAAS Fellows include those committed to public engagement in science

December 3, 2020 A number of individuals involved in science engagement have been elected by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) as AAAS Fellows. Beginning in 1874, AAAS has been electing Fellows in recognition of diverse accomplishments, including research, leadership, teaching, mentoring, fostering collaborations, and advancing public understanding of science. James Bell …

New AAAS Fellows include those committed to public engagement in science Read More »

Combating food insecurity, ASTC members share fresh food with communities

As the pandemic and social unrest have continued to ravage what remains of the status quo, science and technology centers and museums are stepping up their efforts to serve their local communities. One particular kind of activity that has proved vital, especially in recent months, has been addressing food insecurity through farmers markets and related …

Combating food insecurity, ASTC members share fresh food with communities Read More »

Scroll to Top