Association of Science and Technology Centers

Registration Information - Association of Science and Technology Centers ASTC 2025 Annual Conference September 5–8, 2025San Francisco Bay Area Registration Information Registration for ASTC 2025 is now open! Register now Full Conference Registration See the table below for...

Register now for #ASTC2025 to hear from @edyong209.bsky.social and hundreds of other inspiring and informative speakers.

www.astc.org/astc-2025/re...

Yong is also the bestselling author of I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us, a groundbreaking, informative, and entertaining examination of the relationship between animals and microbes.

In birdwatching, Yong found a much deeper connection to the natural world. He tells that story in An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us.

After years of pandemic reporting left him burnt out, Yong turned to a new hobby—birdwatching—to help him heal and reconnect with his original beat of nature writing.

Plenary Sessions - Association of Science and Technology Centers ASTC 2025 Annual Conference September 5–8, 2025San Francisco Bay Area Plenary Sessions The ASTC 2025 Annual Conference will include several plenary sessions that will bring the entire community togeth...

We are so excited to announce the keynote for #ASTC2025:

@edyong209.bsky.social is a Pulitzer Prize-winning science reporter whose fascinating presentations on animals and the natural world are infused with humor, joy, wonder, and infectious enthusiasm.

www.astc.org/astc-2025/sc...

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed thoughtful questions. We welcome your reflections on these findings and how they might inform your organization's work.

New ASTC survey shows gaps between public support for science and understanding of how science is impacted by federal actions - Association of Science and Technology Centers 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 associat...

The full presentation slide deck and recording from the briefing are now available on ASTC’s website.

www.astc.org/astc-news-an...

#ScienceCommunication #PublicEngagement #SciencePolicy #SciEngage #SciPol

The findings suggest an urgent need for science engagement community to strengthen public awareness about connections between policy changes and science used for everyday decision making, while strengthening + expanding opportunities for public to engage with scientific community and institutions.

New ASTC survey shows gaps between public support for science and understanding of how science is impacted by federal actions - Association of Science and Technology Centers 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 associat...

During a briefing yesterday, ASTC shared the results of a new national survey which explored how adults in the U.S. engage with science in their daily lives and revealed important insights about public perspectives on federal investments in scientific infrastructure.

www.astc.org/astc-news-an...

Results from a new ASTC survey on @npr.org this morning.

New ASTC Survey Shows Disconnect Between Public Support for Science and Federal Policy Impact - Association of Science and Technology Centers A recent ASTC national survey finds 72% of U.S. adults believe science benefits them and 89% view federal STEM investment as important for economic prosperity. It is unclear the extent to which they a...

Learn more about the survey and the implications for work in science engagement at a public briefing TODAY at 3:00 p.m. ET. www.astc.org/conference-e...

Most Americans use federal science information on a weekly basis, a new poll finds Most Americans frequently use federal science information. But few are concerned that cuts to federal science spending could affect their access to such information, a new poll finds.

@npr.org shares the results of a new ASTC survey that showed that while >90% of U.S. adults use scientific information for everyday decision-making, only 10% say that cuts to federal support for science, which could impact their access to such data, is a top concern. www.npr.org/2025/05/06/n...

New ASTC Survey Shows Disconnect Between Public Support for Science and Federal Policy Impact - Association of Science and Technology Centers A recent ASTC national survey finds 72% of U.S. adults believe science benefits them and 89% view federal STEM investment as important for economic prosperity. It is unclear the extent to which they a...

We will share more about the survey and the urgent need to deepen and clarify the connections between people’s everyday lives and interests and public investments in scientific institutions and infrastructure. www.astc.org/conference-e...

These new data come from a nationally representative survey of 1,017 U.S. adults administered April 4–6 designed to gauge current attitudes toward scientific institutions and understanding of ongoing changes in federal science policy.

New ASTC Survey Shows Disconnect Between Public Support for Science and Federal Policy Impact - Association of Science and Technology Centers A recent ASTC national survey finds 72% of U.S. adults believe science benefits them and 89% view federal STEM investment as important for economic prosperity. It is unclear the extent to which they a...

Join us for a briefing tomorrow, May 6, at 3 pm ET to learn about new data from ASTC which reveal that while adults in the U.S. value science in their daily lives, many don't recognize the critical link between federal investments and the information they rely on.

www.astc.org/conference-e...

Please carve out a few minutes to submit for consideration by the ASTC Awards Committee to be honored at #ASTC2025 this September.

Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards - Association of Science and Technology Centers The Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards are presented to ASTC members and/or their staff and volunteers in recognition of extraordinary accomplishments. Honorees not only enhance the performance of thei...

TODAY is the last day to submit nominations for ASTC’s Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards. Do you have an inspiring example of how organizations and individuals have enhanced the performance of their organizations or advanced our field?

www.astc.org/awards

New ASTC Survey Shows Disconnect Between Public Support for Science and Federal Policy Impact - Association of Science and Technology Centers A recent ASTC national survey finds 72% of U.S. adults believe science benefits them and 89% view federal STEM investment as important for economic prosperity. It is unclear the extent to which they a...

This insight presents an urgent opportunity to explore new approaches to science engagement that can better illuminate these connections.

Join us Tuesday, May 6 at 3:00 PM ET for a briefing on these findings and their implications for public science engagement.

www.astc.org/conference-e...

New ASTC survey shows gaps between public support for science and understanding of how science is impacted by federal actions - Association of Science and Technology Centers 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 associat...

New data from ASTC reveals a disconnect: while Americans value science in their daily lives, many don't recognize the critical link between federal investments and the scientific information they rely on.

www.astc.org/astc-news-an...

#SciEngage #ScienceEngagement #SciPol #SciencePolicy

Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards - Association of Science and Technology Centers The Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards are presented to ASTC members and/or their staff and volunteers in recognition of extraordinary accomplishments. Honorees not only enhance the performance of thei...

Thanks to those who have already submitted nominations for ASTC’s Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards. If you haven’t done so yet, there’s still time to lift up achievements that exemplify the best of our field. Nominations close on Monday, May 5, 2025. www.astc.org/awards

Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards - Association of Science and Technology Centers The Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards are presented to ASTC members and/or their staff and volunteers in recognition of extraordinary accomplishments. Honorees not only enhance the performance of thei...

Nominations are open for ASTC’s Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Awards.

During these uncertain times, it’s important to celebrate achievements in our field—so we look forward to receiving nominations that will inspire and uplift us with reminders about the importance of our work.

www.astc.org/awards

2024-2025 Microgrant Recipients - Research!America The 2024-2025 Research!America Civic Engagement Microgrant recipients are organizations offering innovative programs for early career researchers to build communication skills and increase their level...

Congratulations to the 24 groups of early career researchers who are receiving 2024–2025 Civic Engagement Microgrants from @researchamerica.bsky.social. The program provides up to $4,000 to support innovative science outreach initiatives. www.researchamerica.org/civic-scienc...

Karol Wight to Retire as President and Executive Director of the Corning Museum of Glass | Corning Museum of Glass Corning, NY—The Corning Museum of Glass (CMoG) announced that Karol Wight, the Museum's President and Executive Director, will retire pending the completion of a search for her successor by the Board ...

The Corning Museum of Glass has announced that Karol Wight, the museum’s President and Executive Director, will retire pending the completion of a search for her successor. press.cmog.org/2025/karol-w...

The center’s President and CEO explained that “There's no more organic way of feeling patriotic and learning about your country than by excelling in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. That builds a tremendous sense of pride, and it really develops leaders for the future.”

Federal cuts threaten funding for learning opportunities in Tennessee An executive order could dismantle vital funding for libraries and museums across the country, including Tennessee. A local museum director says this could impact children's education in rural areas.

The potential loss of awarded grant funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services would hurt the ability of Discovery Center at Murfree Spring to serve students and educators across Tennessee, especially in rural areas.

www.newschannel5.com/news/federal...

The new 70,000 sq ft science center outside of Washington, D.C., is being developed by a public-private partnership including the Children’s Science Center, Science Museum of Virginia, and Loudoun County and with strong support from the community, local businesses, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Photo of the program from the Construction Launch Party at Northern Virginia Science Center

Photo of the crowd at the site of the Northern Virginia Science Center

Local leaders with Nene Spivy, President and CEO of the Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation, at center (in light blue)

ASTC was honored to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Northern Virginia Science Center yesterday morning in the Kincora community of Loudoun County, Virginia.

Kudos to Nene Spivy, Rich Conti and their teams for an inspiring kick-off and an amazing partnership; we can’t wait to visit this world-class institution when it opens in a couple of years.

ASTC is working with our partners to emphasize the importance of IMLS and federal support for museums and libraries.

Make sure your elected officials know about the impact of federal funds for museums in your community and stay tuned for additional steps you can take.

Without staff, there are significant questions on how IMLS can carry out its statutory responsibilities and great uncertainty about the future of community programs supported by the agency. Museums and libraries are being left in the lurch.