Linda Conlon, chair of ASTC’s board and chief executive of the International Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, was made a Member of the British Empire in Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year Honours List on December 31, 2015. The New Year Honours List recognizes the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the United …
ASTC Board Chair Linda Conlon Is Made a Member of the British Empire Read More »
By Douglas Young From Dimensions November/December 2015 In the 1980s in the United States, the traditional science center business and mission models worked well. Science centers were the most prominent source for informal science learning with financial support from governments and donors and a quasi-monopoly on IMAX films, science store merchandise, and interactive exhibits. A …
A New Era for Marketing at Science Centers Read More »
By Jason Bosher From Dimensions November/December 2015 You’ve probably heard the adage, “There is no such thing as bad publicity.” A study published in Marketing Science concluded, “Although negative publicity is not always a good thing, in some cases, negative can actually be positive” (Berger, Sorensen, & Rasmussen, 2010). As a science center, you want …
The Fine Line Between Creating Curiosity and Creating Controversy Read More »
Written by Stacey Freeman Science centers and museums have the potential to help millions of visitors understand the social, environmental, and economic impacts of human behavior on creating a sustainable future. Through our Sustainability in Science Museums program, the Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives at Arizona State University (ASU) is working to bridge …
A New Sustainability Fellowship for Science Center Staff Read More »
“We now live in an age of cities. Cities are the engines of global innovation and the drivers of global change. A sustainable planet is not possible without sustainable cities, and this will require enormous innovation and creativity,” remarked Patrick Hamilton, the Science Museum of Minnesota’s director of global change initiatives, at the ASTC 2015 …
Another edition of ASTC On Air was streamed live on Sunday, October 18. This time, we spoke with world renowned designer Rosan Bosch. (See recording below.) ASTC On Air is a series in which we interview fascinating individuals outside the museum field who are doing work that is relevant and interesting to informal science and …
ASTC On Air with… Rosan Bosch Read More »
By Carlyn S. Buckler From Dimensions September/October 2015 On the first day of the Science and Society course at the Cooperstown Graduate Program in Cooperstown, New York, I present the students with an incandescent lightbulb, with clear glass so one can easily see the filament inside. I ask the students how it works and they …
The Role of Science Centers in Increasing the Public Understanding of Science Read More »
By Anthony (Bud) Rock A collective mass of youthful exuberance pulses through our science centers and museums on any given day. As I visit our ASTC-member institutions around the world, I find it extremely rewarding to watch all that energy being transformed into focused, intense contemplation of specific topics or experiences. I have always been …
IN THIS ISSUE September/October 2015 As this issue of Dimensions goes to press, world leaders are preparing to convene at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York City to formally adopt the post-2015 development agenda, committing to 17 ambitious new Sustainable Development Goals. So many of the critical issues facing our planet—from climate change …
Dimensions, September/October 2015—Addressing Global Issues Read More »
Another edition of ASTC On Air was streamed live on October 5. We spoke with Nick Ishmael Perkins, director of SciDev.Net. (See the recording below.) ASTC On Air is a series in which we interview fascinating individuals outside the museum field who are doing work that is relevant and interesting to informal science and museum …
ASTC On Air with… Nick Ishmael Perkins Read More »
ASTC is organizing all science center networks to participate in the COP21 meeting later this year. COP21 events will be interactive and streamed live online (viewing details to be announced at a later date). ASTC has been looking for an opportunity to allow all members to actively participate in the event, as well, which led …
ASTC partners with Climate Interactive for a COP21 event Read More »
This is an extended discussion of the question that appeared in the Viewpoints department of the September/October 2015 issue of Dimensions magazine. Before my first nonprofit management position (in England), I wish I could have coached my newbie self: learn about spreadsheets, practice daily meditation and stretching, and schedule physical exercise and play time …
Interviewed by Joelle Seligson This interview appeared in the September/October 2015 issue of Dimensions magazine. When neurologist Annick Desjardins first heard about an experimental therapy that uses the polio virus to attack cancer cells, she admittedly thought it was an off-the-wall idea. In the 12 years since then, however, Desjardins—now associate professor of neurology at …
Q&A with Annick Desjardins: Using Polio to Kill Cancer Read More »
(This post originally appeared on UpNext, the blog of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It has been reposted here with permission. See the original post here.) Written by K-Fai Steele YOUmedia Learning Labs National Network When you think of a team that has won $20,000 in a Make-a-thon for prosthetics and assistive technology, …
Learning Labs Put 3D Printing Skills to the Test to Improve Lives for Veterans Read More »
By Sarah B. George From Dimensions July/August 2015 People love stuff. It speaks to them; it reminds them of special moments or people in their lives. They collect it and they love to tell stories about it and show it off. Museums’ deepest roots are in the stuff of collections. But over the last 200 …
The “Stuff” of Museums: Collections, Interactivity, and a Call to Action Read More »
Another edition of ASTC On Air was streamed live on July 23. This time, we spoke with Dale Dougherty, founder and executive chairman of Maker Media, Inc. (Watch the recording below.) ASTC On Air is a new series in which we interview fascinating individuals outside the museum field who are doing work that is relevant …
ASTC On Air with…Dale Dougherty Read More »
Another edition of ASTC On Air was streamed live online on Thursday, June 25. This time, we spoke with Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Professor of Climatology and Environmental Sciences at the Université Catholique de Louvain in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. ASTC On Air is a new series in …
ASTC On Air with… Jean-Pascal van Ypersele Read More »
By Susie Wilkening From Dimensions May/June 2015 There are many lenses through which we can measure the value of a museum experience. There is the satisfaction factor: Did visitors have a good time? Were they engaged? Do they want to return? There are learning outcomes: Did visitors learn something new? How much did they learn? …
Beginning to Measure Meaning in Museum Experiences Read More »
Another edition of ASTC On Air with was streamed live online Monday, May 18, 2015. This time, we interviewed Lidia Brito, Director of UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science in Latin America and the Caribbean. (Watch the recording below.) ASTC On Air is a new series in which we interview fascinating individuals outside the museum field …
ASTC On Air with… Lidia Brito Read More »
This is an extended discussion of the question that appeared in the Viewpoints department of the May/June 2015 issue of Dimensions magazine. “. . . 3D printing and design can electrify various literacies and creative capacities of children in accordance with the spirit of the interconnected, information-based world.” —V. Kostakis, V. Niaros, and C. …
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.