Walter Witschey and Erik Jacquemyn confer on the results of a new demonstration. Photo by the Science Museum of Virginia

"ASTC's mission is to increase public understanding of science among diverse audiences. To that end we enthusiastically support science and technology centers and use the funding we get from private sources and federal agencies like the National Science Foundation to help our members continue to develop innovative ways to build their programs and advance the goals we share. And we've opened doors for scientists and engineers to reach the public through exhibitions, education programs, and youth initiatives. Everyone involved benefits from the enriched content and exchange of ideas and expertise."
Bonnie VanDorn, Executive Director

ASTC is the largest organization of interactive science centers in the world with member institutions in 44 countries and every U.S. state. Although the size of ASTC's income from members and foundations is large, that income is far from sufficient to fully fund all of ASTC's strategic priorities and needs of the informal science education field. Science centers face challenges as never before to measure and communicate their impact, anticipate trends, nurture and cultivate leaders to replace the "founding generation," and to take a leadership role in helping citizens worldwide to understand science issues of global urgency. Achieving ASTC's vision for the 21st century will demand significant new investments in people and programs that increase the need for both current use and endowment giving. Gifts to ASTC's 21st Century Fund will provide needed financial support for

• Expanding professional development for the field
• Increasing print and online resources to disseminate effective practices
• Data collection and trend analysis
• Advocating for the interests of U.S. science centers before the U.S. Congress and federal agencies
• Educating citizens worldwide about science issues of urgent global importance through initiatives like International Action on GLObal Warming (IGLO)
• Strengthening ASTC's efforts to increase the number of women, people with disabilities, and members of underrepresented ethnic and racial groups who visit and work in museums through the:
  • Diversity Leadership Development Fellowship Program
  • Partnership with AAM on the Museums and Community National Initiative

ASTC has been distinguished for thirty years by the imagination, commitment and dedication of its leaders, exhibit developers and educators. Given the bold agenda for the future, never will it be more crucial for those who have built the field of informal science education to continue their good work by making an annual gift to the ASTC Fund for the 21st Century.

Donors will receive the benefit of continuing to be part of the ASTC community as a Friend of ASTC. They will receive regular mailings from ASTC, discounts on conference registration and invitations to conference networking events. This is the best way for those who are now retired or close to retirement to stay in touch with colleagues and friends acquired over a lifetime.

2007-2008 ASTC 21st Century Fund Chairs:
Gail Becker, Executive Director, Louisville Science Center, Louisville, Kentucky
Wit Ostrenko, President, MOSI, Tampa, Florida
Per-Edvin Persson, Director, Heureka, The Finnish Science Center, Vantaa, Finland
Jeff Rudolph, President, California Science Center, Los Angeles, California
Dennis Wint, President, The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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