The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), in partnership with the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) and through the support of IF/THEN®, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies, invites organizations and individuals to join the IF/THEN® Champions Network, a United States-based community of ASTC science centers, allied members, and individuals committed to helping girls imagine—and achieve—their own STEM dreams.
Membership that Matters
Join the growing network committed to inspiring the next generation of girls and women innovators in STEM.
We’re bringing together a dynamic network of museums, institutions, and individuals, all dedicated to empowering girls to envision and pursue their own futures in STEM.
As part of a movement of public libraries, zoos, aquariums, public gardens, and other cultural institutions across the United States, members will provide each other with mutual support, champion the overarching goals of the IF/THEN® Initiative, and act as a resource for the broader informal learning community.
Partner with us to produce Floor-Ready STEM Exhibit Kits!
We’re seeking a skilled and creative individual or organization to design, prototype, assemble and deliver 50-60 kits inspired by the IF/THEN Ambassadors. As part of the IF/THEN® Champions Network offerings, these kits celebrate women innovators in STEM while providing hands-on learning experiences for ages 6-12. With your partnership, they will go to 50-60 ASTC Member organizations across the United States.
Are you interested or know someone who may be?
- We’d love to answer your questions or talk through your ideas. Drop us a line at ifthen@atsc.org.
- Wonder what this could look like? Check out the STEM Play Workbenches for young children developed by Kansas Children’s Discovery Center.
- Read our Request for Proposals and plan to submit by Thursday, July 10.
Join the network
Individual Members
Individual members include educators, exhibit developers, and others who support the IF/THEN® initiative but may not be housed within an organization, or who have not yet obtained an organizational commitment. Individuals do not need to belong to an ASTC member organization or be in the United States to join.
Organizational Members
Organizational members include ASTC-member organizations in the United States, including museums, science centers, and allied members, and, in addition to this membership form, requires an organizational commitment. Network members are each expected to access approximately $15,000 in program benefits and offerings, reinforcing each member’s commitment at their respective institutions.
Memberships will be processed every two weeks.
For membership questions, email Emily Early, Senior Program Manager, National Girls Collaborative Project, at eearly@ngcproject.org.
All members receive these benefits:
- Become part of a network committed to actualizing change
- Invitations to quarterly educational webinars, designed collaboratively with members, based on your stated needs and interests
- Access to regular email communications highlighting IF/THEN® Collection resources, network updates, grant opportunities, etc.
- Access to a suite of resources, including a social media toolkit, talking points, and other communications support to develop publicity materials to increase visitorship and impact related to network efforts
- Opportunities to serve as guest network speakers and writers for blog posts, social media, and other forums
All members commit to:
- Amplifying Network activities and messaging throughout your individual or organizational networks
- Attending a minimum of 50% of IF/THEN® webinars from date of joining the network
- Contributing to stories and blogs as requested (no more than once per year)
- Participating in annual data collection activities (i.e. survey, interviews) to review services and activities, collect impact stories, and to inform continued network growth
- If not already an organizational member and if applicable, share about the network with organizational leadership and encourage organizational membership
Organizational Members
Organizations receive additional benefits and make a formal commitment to the IF/THEN® Champions Network.
Benefits include:
- Welcome package featuring IF/THEN® posters, pop-up banners, and more
- Personalized guidance through an introductory planning session to examine organizational strengths and areas for growth
- Opportunities to apply for:
- Funding for travel, accommodations, and registration to join an IF/THEN® pre-conference session at ASTC’s 2024 and 2025 conference
- IF/THEN® Collection exhibit content including mini-grant funds to design-your-own project or exhibit materials, white-label exhibits utilizing the IF/THEN® Project Library, kits with hands-on interactive displays recreating the work of the IF/THEN® Ambassadors, and more
- Stipends to support installation and maintenance of IF/THEN® exhibits
- Stipends to support programming and events featuring IF/THEN® content
- Additional opportunities as they arise
Commitments include:
- Displaying and leveraging IF/THEN® Collection materials with your audiences, visitorship, and broader communities. This may include holding events, displaying exhibits, and embedding Collection content into other areas of museum operations.
- Attending an introductory consultation session to set organizational goals
- Sharing about the IF/THEN® Champions Network membership and learning opportunities internally and with other organizations, as appropriate
Frequently Asked Questions
My place of employment has an organizational membership. Can I still enroll individually as well?
Yes! We recognize that employees may change museums or careers, and welcome individual members regardless of their current institution’s status.
Who can complete the organizational membership form?
If signing up for organizational membership, any staff member can complete the membership form but note that your organization will also need to complete a commitment form (see more below).
What is the organizational commitment form, and how is it different from the membership form?
Think of it like a pledge. This high-level commitment from your organization acknowledges the specific requirements that accompany organizational membership. An authorized official from your organization must sign the organizational commitment form to gain access to our full suite of organizational resources and benefits. The link to the commitment form can also be found at the end of the membership form if you select that you’re filling it out as an “Organizational Member”.
Who can complete the organizational commitment form?
Any authorized organizational representative, like a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Organizational Officer (COO), President, Executive Director, Board Chair, or the equivalent can complete the organizational commitment form. Check with your organization if it’s not clear who is able to provide this level of commitment.
Why do organizational membership require a pledge?
Since membership requires time commitments from an organization’s employees, (to join webinars, attend the introductory consultation session, and work toward organizational goals, etc.), we want to be sure this is understood and supported at a high level.
What is the time commitment for organizational members?
The time commitment is flexible. We will have regular activities at least every quarter, including one-hour webinars that we are asking members to attend at least 50% of over a year. Most activities and opportunities will be optional, but we do ask that you maintain a presence in the network and look for ways to prioritize gender equity within your organization using the IF/THEN® Collection.
Who within an organization should be a Champions Network representative?
We welcome anyone in your organization who’s interested to join the Champions Network! It works well to have multiple people join so that staff members can support one another in your goals and more individuals are aware of the available resources.
