Strategic Framework
2022–2025
Who We Are
The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates strategic opportunities, develops intellectual capital, and assembles resources to support our members in realizing their missions and engaging their communities.
Our Guiding Principles Our Purpose
To champion and support science and technology centers and museums and the entire science engagement field.
■ Support all sizes and types of science engagement organizations
Our Vision
Increasing understanding of and engagement with science and technology among all people.
■ Amplify diverse ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds
■ Respect member perspectives
■ Prioritize effective partnerships to maximize impact
■ Collaborate globally from North America
■ Make data-driven decisions and adapt to change
■ Advance our commitment to equity and justice
ASTC STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
Who
ASTC is a membership association based in North America that has supported the global science engagement field since 1973.
■ Science and technology centers and museums
■ Natural history museums
■ Children’s museums
■ Nature centers
■ Aquariums
■ Planetariums
■ Zoos
■ Botanical gardens
■ Universities ■ Government agencies
■ Nonprofits and companies that share ASTC’s vision
■ Organizations that support the institutions who engage the public in science
The Work of Our Members Support lifelong science learning Connect science and society Engage diverse communities Partner to tackle global and local challenges
Member
ASTC Members Are ASTC
Organization Types
Our Strategic Approaches
As a leading convener for the science engagement field, ASTC will…
Promote the work of science and technology centers and museums
Collaborate and strengthen member connections across the full breadth of science-engagement ecosystems
Build greater support for science engagement activities and institutions
Help grow the diversity and skills of our members’ workforce
Facilitate innovation, connection, learning, and collaboration among members
Collect and share data and research
Support our members to lead with their communities on addressing climate change and biodiversity, equity and justice, and other critical issues
Spread and scale equity-focused approaches to science learning and engagement
Expand our members’ individual and collective impact in their communities and across the world
ASTC STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
Champion public engagement with science
Build a more equitable and sustainable future
Strengthen members and their capacity
ASTC’s strategy will advance toward our vision and these ultimate targets.
Our Targets
In the implementation of this strategy, ASTC will define metrics and develop data tools to measure progress toward these targets.
Science and technology centers and museums are recognized for their leadership and are thriving and adaptable institutions within their communities, supported by diverse and skilled staff, sustainable finances, and collaborative relationships across the science engagement field.
Science and technology engagement efforts— including the full spectrum of STEM learning, community science, and public participation and research activities—are recognized as valuable and well-resourced by public, private, and philanthropic sources. The full diversity of people and communities are equal participants in learning about, contributing to, and benefiting from science and technology.
Our members are thriving community leaders
Science engagement efforts are well resourced
All people are included in science engagement
What
ASTC STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
Science Engagement? Science centers and museums Science festivals Citizen science Television and film Digital video and web Community science Participating in a research study Libraries and archives Radio and podcasts Technology Engineering Mathematics Medicine Creative thinking Problem solving Communication Informal education Public participation Community engagement Science Systems of knowledge and ways of knowing Science Engagement Engagement The ways that the public connects to a topic An umbrella term that encompasses the broad concepts of Science and Engagement PreK–12 schools and colleges Deliberative forums
is
Equity and Justice Commitment
Together with our members, ASTC is committed to advancing equity and justice in the science-engagement field and beyond. We invite our members to collaborate across the association as they work to achieve these goals in their communities. We acknowledge that ensuring an equitable and just society requires focused and proactive measures to meet the needs of all diverse groups.
toward an equitable and just world
Working
Solve scientific and societal challenges WILL TO
An equitable and just world is one where all people and institutions are dedicated to creating and sustaining a society in which each person and all groups have equal economic, social, and civic rights and are able to realize an equitable allocation of resources.
Engage and amplify the expertise of diverse groups
Diverse groups include, but are not limited to, people of all races, colors, religions, political affiliations, sexual orientations, genders, ages, familial histories of education, physical and cognitive abilities, languages used, Indigenous status, and countries of origin.
Only the equitable and just participation of diverse people, perspectives, and groups will enable humanity to fully understand and engage in solving our pressing challenges.
Learn more about ASTC’s equity and justice work astc.org/equity
ASTC Office 818 Connecticut Avenue NW | 7th Floor Washington, DC 20006-2734 | U.S.A. 202•783•7200 www.astc.org info@astc.org @ScienceCenters