Association of Science and Technology Centers https://www.astc.org/ Fri, 16 May 2025 19:46:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://i0.wp.com/www.astc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ASTC-New-Favicon.png?fit=22%2C32&ssl=1 Association of Science and Technology Centers https://www.astc.org/ 32 32 221480206 Several private funders offer Rapid Response Bridge Funding Program for those with cancelled NSF education grants https://www.astc.org/issues-policy-and-advocacy/several-private-funders-offer-rapid-response-bridge-funding-program-for-those-with-cancelled-nsf-education-grants/ Fri, 16 May 2025 19:46:01 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=341957 Recent actions by the National Science Foundation (NSF) have led to terminations of many grants that supported STEM education initiatives, including at ASTC member organizations. Now, a group of private foundations has stepped up to offer a rapid response bridge funding opportunity that is designed to mitigate some of the immediate impacts on scholars, projects, […]

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]]> 341957 Professional Learning Opportunities through International Exchanges: The Fulbright Specialist Program https://www.astc.org/astc-dimensions/professional-learning-opportunities-through-international-exchanges-the-fulbright-specialist-program/ Thu, 15 May 2025 17:46:11 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=341923 Events like the Association of Science and Technology Center’s (ASTC) Annual Conference are where knowledge exchange occurs through panel and workshop sessions, inspiring keynotes, and one-on-one conversations that are often the catalysts for collaborations and partnerships. Extended experiences like staff exchanges, residencies, and fellowships offer additional in-depth opportunities for science center and museum professionals to […]

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]]> 341923 New ASTC survey shows gaps between public support for science and understanding of how science is impacted by federal actions https://www.astc.org/astc-news-announcements/new-astc-survey-shows-gaps-between-public-support-for-science-and-understanding-of-how-science-is-impacted-by-federal-actions/ Wed, 30 Apr 2025 18:00:42 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=341273 New data from the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) reveal that while adults in the United States value science in their daily lives, it is unclear the extent to which they associate federal investment and scientific infrastructure with the information they depend on for making crucial decisions. The findings highlight an urgent need […]

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]]> 341273 AAAS elects ASTC members and science engagement leaders as Fellows https://www.astc.org/astc-dimensions/aaas-elects-astc-members-and-science-engagement-leaders-as-fellows/ Mon, 28 Apr 2025 18:34:12 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=341222 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 disciplinary sections, three Fellows who are current AAAS members, or by […]

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]]> 341222 The LEGO® Playful Learning Museum Network enters its biggest year yet! https://www.astc.org/astc-news-announcements/the-lego-playful-learning-museum-network-enters-its-biggest-year-yet/ Wed, 09 Apr 2025 13:55:53 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=340309 The LEGO Group’s Playful Learning Museum Network is celebrating its fourth—and biggest—year yet! Hosted by the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) and funded by the LEGO Foundation, the program brings 21 leading children’s and science museums together with a shared mission: to unlock the power of play for children. Since 2021, the network […]

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]]> 340309 ASTC welcomes eight new members https://www.astc.org/astc-news-announcements/astc-welcomes-new-members-3/ Tue, 08 Apr 2025 17:51:04 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=340282 At its first meeting of the year, the ASTC Board of Directors approved eight organizations for membership in the association. Consistent with ASTC’s Bylaws, all members must be approved for membership by a majority vote of the ASTC Board of Directors. Organizations wishing to apply for membership should consult the Membership section of the ASTC website. Applications may […]

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]]> 340282 IMLS staff put on administrative leave https://www.astc.org/issues-policy-and-advocacy/imls-staff-put-on-administrative-leave/ Mon, 31 Mar 2025 22:46:12 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=340078 Employees from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) have been placed on administrative leave, effective today. Staff access to IMLS systems and offices, including email, has also been suspended. For almost 40 years, IMLS has been an essential independent agency that is often the only federal source of support for work core to […]

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]]> 340078 Bell Museum honored with ARIS Impact Goals Award https://www.astc.org/science-and-technology-center-and-museum-stories/bell-museum-honored-with-aris-impact-goals-award/ Mon, 24 Mar 2025 22:06:34 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=340026 The Bell Museum at the University of Minnesota, which serves as the state’s official natural history museum, has been honored with the Impact Goals Award from the Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS). The museum was recognized for Solution Studio, a recurring makerspace that showcases current science from the University of Minnesota and […]

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]]> 340026 Nature seeking nominations for individuals who stand up for science https://www.astc.org/issues-policy-and-advocacy/nature-seeking-nominations-for-individuals-who-stand-up-for-science/ Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:43:56 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=339956 The publisher of Nature magazine—in collaboration with Sense About Science—is seeking nominations for The John Maddox Prize, which honors researchers who stand up and speak out for science and evidence-based policy, advancing public discussion around difficult topics, despite challenges or hostility, and successfully making a change in public discourse or policy. Winners will be selected […]

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]]> 339956 Speak up for museums and science centers https://www.astc.org/issues-policy-and-advocacy/speak-up-for-museums-and-science-centers/ Mon, 17 Mar 2025 14:25:46 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=339851 The President issued an Executive Order (EO) on Friday, March 14 requiring several agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), to eliminate all “non-statutory components and functions” and to reduce personnel “to the minimum presence and function required by law.” It is clear that this EO directs dramatic cuts to be made […]

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]]> 339851 ASTC members named to TIME’s list of world’s greatest places of 2025 https://www.astc.org/astc-dimensions/astc-members-named-to-times-list-of-worlds-greatest-places-of-2025/ Sun, 16 Mar 2025 21:23:26 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?page_id=339819 Several ASTC members have had locations named TIME magazine’s list of “The World’s Greatest Places for 2025.” The list was compiled by TIME‘s editors from nominations submitted by the magazine’s international network of correspondents and contributors, as well as through an application process. They were especially interested in places that offered “new and exciting experiences.” […]

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]]> 339819 Advocates make the case during Museums Advocacy Day https://www.astc.org/issues-policy-and-advocacy/advocates-make-the-case-during-museums-advocacy-day/ Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:00:38 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=339741 About 50 representatives of ASTC-member organizations were among the more than 350 people who descended on Washington, D.C., for Museums Advocacy Day 2025. This annual event organized by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is our community’s opportunity to speak with one voice about the essential value of museums when we meet with Members of […]

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]]> 339741 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards honors ASTC members https://www.astc.org/astc-dimensions/newsweek-readers-choice-awards-honors-astc-members/ Thu, 06 Mar 2025 23:30:58 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=339730 Newsweek has named the winners of Readers’ Choice Awards, and ASTC-member institutions are, once again, well-represented. The publication convened expert panels to identify a list of candidates that were then subject to a public vote; individuals could vote once per day in each category.   Best Science Museum In the Best Science Museum category, Lowell Observatory, […]

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]]> 339730 Funding Opportunity: Environmental Literacy for Community Resilience https://www.astc.org/issues-policy-and-advocacy/funding-opportunity-environmental-literacy-for-community-resilience/ Wed, 05 Mar 2025 03:00:39 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=339708 The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Environmental Literacy Program on a funding program to use place-based education to enhance community resilience and increase environmental literacy among residents of the U.S. Gulf States. The Environmental Literacy for Community Resilience program will […]

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]]> 339708 New Community Science Resources for Collaborating with Youth https://www.astc.org/impact-initiatives/new-community-science-resources-for-collaborating-with-youth/ Thu, 27 Feb 2025 20:01:13 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=339663 A participant from the GET City Collaborative which offers informal engineering design experiences for youth in Lansing, Michigan. Science centers and museums often serve youth as their primary audience but how many have considered involving them in participatory projects that invite their shared leadership? Turns out…quite a few! For instance, the Sciencenter in New York […]

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]]> 339663 The Power of Early Investment: Funding and Time Yield Deeper Community Connections https://www.astc.org/impact-initiatives/the-power-of-early-investment-funding-and-time-yield-deeper-community-connections-2/ Mon, 24 Feb 2025 18:30:57 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=338165 Launched in 2023, ASTC’s Community Science Partnership Planning Seed Grant program supported new and emerging collaborations between ASTC member institutions and community-based organizations looking to deepen their relationship and collaborate to advance local priorities. Each grantee team received $8,000 – split equitably – to enable their participation in the five-month program which included strategic training […]

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]]> 338165 USA TODAY 10Best again honors best science museums, planetariums, children’s museums, and more https://www.astc.org/astc-dimensions/usa-today-10best-again-honors-best-science-museums-planetariums-childrens-museums-and-more/ Wed, 19 Feb 2025 18:22:28 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=339344 Once again, ASTC members were well-represented in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice awards in several museum categories (see bold, below), including another clean sweep in the Best Science Museum category. Twenty nominees in each category were chosen by a panel of experts, including a combination of editors from USA TODAY, editors from 10Best.com, and other […]

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]]> 339344 “The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks” lands at Space Center Houston https://www.astc.org/astc-dimensions/the-moonwalkers-a-journey-with-tom-hanks-lands-at-space-center-houston/ Fri, 07 Feb 2025 18:37:29 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=339252 As ASTC prepares for the relaunch of Dimensions in the near future, we are pleased to share this profile of a new activity within the ASTC community. Stay tuned for more information about how you can lift up a new program, exhibit, or other activity. What is the project you would like to share with […]

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]]> 339252 Nominations open for McGraw Prize in Education https://www.astc.org/issues-policy-and-advocacy/nominations-open-for-mcgraw-prize-in-education/ Fri, 24 Jan 2025 19:03:45 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=339140 The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Family Foundation and the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education are seeking nominations for the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education. This award recognizes outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to improving education and whose accomplishments are making a difference. Honorees should exemplify transformational leadership in their organization […]

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]]> 339140 National Endowment for the Arts supports projects at ASTC members https://www.astc.org/issues-policy-and-advocacy/national-endowment-for-the-arts-supports-projects-at-astc-members/ Tue, 14 Jan 2025 20:33:06 +0000 https://www.astc.org/?p=339012 The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced nearly $36.8 million in funding to almost 1,500 projects in all 50 states. Included in that list are seven ASTC member institutions. These NEA awards come through several competitive funding programs including Grants in the Arts, Challenge America, Research Grants in the Arts, and Research Labs. […]

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