Association of Science and Technologies Centers

Dimensions, November/December 2014—Reconstructing STEM in our Schools

August 24, 2020 / Dimensions / By

IN THIS ISSUE November/December 2014 Countries worldwide recognize the need to cultivate a scientifically literate population and prepare a strong science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Many national and regional governments are therefore launching initiatives aimed at teaching STEM more effectively in schools. In this issue, …

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How Can Museums Help Teachers with the Next Generation Science Standards?

May 28, 2020 / Dimensions / By

By Jim Short From Dimensions November/December 2014 Released in 2013, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) have the potential to revolutionize science education in the United States, requiring a very different way of thinking about learning and teaching science. Now is an opportune moment to prepare teachers for these new approaches to science instruction and …

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Teaching STEM with Real-World Relevance in Singapore

May 28, 2020 / Dimensions / By

By TM Lim From Dimensions November/December 2014 In September 2013, Singapore’s Minister for Education Swee Keat Heng shared his vision of making “Every School a Good School.” His idea of a good school is one that provides a solid education to all students and encourages them to become confident, self-motivated, lifelong learners. Minister Heng’s vision …

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Science Festivals: Celebrations of Science Around the World

May 29, 2020 / Dimensions / By

This is an extended version of an article that appeared in the September/October 2014 issue of Dimensions magazine. A growing number of science festivals are now taking place across the world every year. In the United States alone, around four dozen new science festival initiatives have emerged in just the past five years. Each science …

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Dimensions, September/October 2014—Celebrating Community Engagement

August 24, 2020 / Dimensions / By

IN THIS ISSUE September/October 2014 Download the full issue. Science centers and museums are community-focused institutions. In this issue, we explore many ways science centers are engaging and empowering people in all parts of their communities. Working alongside community members and partners, science centers are addressing key issues, from protecting the environment, to increasing high …

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Into the Light: Bringing Science Education to the Incarcerated

May 29, 2020 / Dimensions / By

By Nalini Nadkarni From Dimensions September/October 2014 Science belongs everywhere. Although informal science learning typically takes place in the bright spots of society—our museums, botanical gardens, and science centers—some science educators are creating programs for individuals who live in the darker parts of our communities, such as prisons. Over 2 million people are in prison …

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STEPS: Where the Drama of Science Meets the Science of Drama

May 29, 2020 / Dimensions / By

By Brad McLain From Dimensions July/August 2014 “Once language was available to describe social scenarios from memory and anticipations, we became Homo narratus. We have become psychological beings who are incapable of not narrating our experiences both to ourselves and each other.” —Alan Parry, 1997 People are natural storytellers. We are also natural story hearers. …

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ASTC Announces 2014 Diversity and Leadership Development Fellows

April 28, 2020 / ASTC News & Announcements, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion / By

ASTC is pleased to announce the 2014 ASTC Diversity and Leadership Development Fellows. The Fellows are museum professionals from underrepresented groups, and will attend the 2014 ASTC Annual Conference to gain professional development experiences, a broader peer network, and the opportunity to acquire and hone their leadership skills. Ten new and five alumni fellows were …

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Bridging the Gaps: Integrating Citizen Science Throughout an Institution

May 29, 2020 / Dimensions / By

By Christine L. Goforth, Julie M. Urban, and Julie E. Horvath From Dimensions May/June 2014 At the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (NCMNS), Raleigh, we’ve made citizen science a priority, because we recognize its power to teach people about the natural world and the role of science in their daily lives. The value of …

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Youth Representatives Visit Capitol Hill to Advocate for Afterschool Programs

May 6, 2020 / Issues, Policy, and Advocacy / By

On Thursday, May 22, 2014, youth representatives from museum programs met with Members of Congress to advocate for afterschool programs as part of the Afterschool Alliance’s Afterschool for All Challenge. Held as part of the Afterschool Alliance’s National Network Meeting, the Afterschool for All Challenge “[provided] unique networking and professional development opportunities that empower participants …

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Science Centers: Powering STEM Learning

April 23, 2020 / Resources & Learning / By

Exhibits, student support programs, teacher professional development, community outreach, community anchoring, public awareness, driving creativity and innovation, strong STEM learning platforms, afterschool activities — these are some of the many ways that science centers and museums are impacting their communities in today’s world. STEMconnector and ASTC hosted the virtual town hall “Science Centers: Powering STEM …

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Do you think the current surge of making and tinkering spaces in science centers and museums is a temporary fad, or are they here to stay?

May 29, 2020 / Dimensions / By

This is an extended discussion of the question that appeared in the Viewpoints department of the May/June 2014 issue of Dimensions magazine. Making and tinkering are not fads. Their presence in science centers and museums may be a fad for many, but “making” is a human biological imperative. We are the species that makes over …

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Family Farming: Feeding the World, Caring for the Earth

May 29, 2020 / Dimensions / By

By Conchi Quintana From Dimensions March/April 2014 According to current forecasts, world agricultural production will have to increase by 70% by 2050 to meet the food demands of a world population of over 9 billion. The good news is that there is no need to invent anything new to respond to this challenge; instead, we …

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Dimensions, March/April 2014—Cultivating the Future: Science Centers and Agriculture

May 29, 2020 / Dimensions / By

IN THIS ISSUE March/April 2014 Inspired by the International Year of Family Farming 2014, this issue of Dimensions examines how science centers and museums are addressing the diverse, complex, and sometimes controversial issues surrounding agriculture. We all depend on agriculture—whether we live in a rural or urban area, in a developed or developing country. Agriculture …

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Science Centers and Education Reform: Learning from the Connecticut Science Center

April 23, 2020 / Science and Technology Center and Museum Stories / By

Surveys conducted by the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) report that over 80% of science centers and museums in the United States play a vital role in teacher professional development in their communities. Today’s education landscape is changing — with the widespread adoption of Common Core Standards and a growing momentum behind the Next Generation …

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Dimensions, January/February 2014—A Closer Look at Exhibits

May 29, 2020 / Dimensions / By

IN THIS ISSUE January/February 2014 Exhibits are central to the work of science centers and museums, and to the experience of our visitors. This issue of Dimensions draws upon the wisdom of our field, compiling practical tips and guidelines from exhibit professionals working in a variety of museums and companies around the world. These professionals …

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Exhibit Case Studies

May 29, 2020 / Dimensions / By

These case studies complement the article Inside the Process: Three Exhibit Development Case Studies, which appeared in the January/February 2014 issue of Dimensions magazine. Innovation Labs in Indian Science Centers To promote national competitiveness in the 21st century, the president of India declared the present decade (2010–20) as the “decade of innovation.” Taking the agenda …

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