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Full Schedule

The conference schedule is subject to change

Full Schedule

  • Friday, October 6, 2023
  • 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM US EST
    Registration
  • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM US EST
    Cardboard City Collaborative: A Scalable Toolbox for Developing Community Informed Maker Experiences
  • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM US EST
    Facilitating Playful STEM: Unpacking Exhibit Elements That Support Meaningful STEM Rich Play for Young Children
  • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM US EST
    Tinkering Together: Engaging Diverse Youth and Families in Creating with Code
  • 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM US EST
    Empowering Informal Educators to Support Learners during Moments of Struggle in Making and Tinkering Activities
  • 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM US EST
    Creating Effective and Authentic Science Events: Exploring Careers and STEM with Ease
  • 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM US EST
    Building Bridges to the Future: Leadership Challenges of Today and Tomorrow
  • 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM US EST
    Navigation and Networking Gathering
  • 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM US EST
    Preconference Meet-ups
  • Saturday, October 7, 2023
  • 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM US EST
    Registration
  • 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM US EST
    Meet and Greet Breakfast
  • 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM US EST
    Opening Plenary Session
  • 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM US EST
    Exhibit Hall Open
  • 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM US EST
    Curious Minds: Science Trivia with Scitech and Imagine Exhibitions
  • 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM US EST
    Chief Executives and Trustees Luncheon - By Invitation Only
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM US EST
    Code-switching Not Required
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM US EST
    Lunch in Exhibit Hall
  • 12:10 PM – 12:30 PM US EST
    Retail Responsibly
  • 12:45 PM – 1:05 PM US EST
    H. Facetious Speaks: A Science-Flavored Stand-up Session
  • 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM US EST
    Centering Inquiry and Student Voice in Informal STEM Learning Spaces through Microscopy
  • 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM US EST
    Choose Your Own Eclipse Adventure!
  • 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM US EST
    Community Science through Civic Engagement: Lessons Learned from the Field  
  • 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM US EST
    Equipping Your Team to Deliver Exceptional Guest Service
  • 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM US EST
    From Assessment to Accountability: Navigating the Twists and Turns of Your Museum's Racial Equity Journey
  • 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM US EST
    Getting the Outdoors Out There: Open Space and Virtual Workshop Models for STEM Education
  • 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM US EST
    Leaning into Value: Measuring and Monetizing Visitor Experiences
  • 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM US EST
    Success in Using STEM Concepts Contextualized for Indigenous-Based Science Centers
  • 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM US EST
    The STEM Museum Pipeline: A Collaborative Approach
  • 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM US EST
    Workforce Trends in Science Centers and Museums
  • 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM US EST
    You Belong Here: A New Model for Membership That Grows Equity, Inclusion, and Revenue
  • 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM US EST
    Lightning Talk – Exploring Beyond the Walls: Enhancing Learning through Museum Field Trips and Professional Development
  • 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM US EST
    Talk About It: Navigating the Twists and Turns of Your Museum's Racial Equity Journey
  • 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM US EST
    The Power of the Paper Airplane: Tradition, Creativity, Control, Energy and Beauty
  • 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM US EST
    A Path Forward WITH Community: Innovative Models for Ambassador Programs in STEAM Focused Institutions
  • 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM US EST
    Activating on Empty: Low Costs? Low Resources? Strategies for Creating High Impact Design Experiences
  • 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM US EST
    Always Practice, Never Perfect: Internally Focused DEIA Practices to Boost Employee Engagement
  • 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM US EST
    Beyond a Field Trip: Building Meaningful Partnerships with Schools for a More Impactful Experience
  • 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM US EST
    Co-designing Making and Tinkering Experiences with Rural and Tribal Community Advisory Groups
  • 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM US EST
    Exploring U.S. Federal Funding Opportunities
  • 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM US EST
    Sequencing the DNA of a Successful Volunteer Program
  • 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM US EST
    The Science of Museum Security: How to Balance Visitor Experience, Protection and Safety
  • 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM US EST
    Walking Each Other Home: Building trust between Tribal Nations and Museums
  • 3:45 PM – 4:30 PM US EST
    Networking and Snack Break in the Exhibit Hall
  • 4:00 PM – 4:20 PM US EST
    Science, Engineering, & Art: A Juggler’s Perspective
  • 4:25 PM – 4:30 PM US EST
    Afternoon Cool Down with Cheri
  • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM US EST
    Count Me In: Engaging Children, Teens and Caregivers with Math in Museums, Homes and Classrooms
  • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM US EST
    Cross-Pollination: Taking the Best from Other Disciplines and Applying It to Our Work
  • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM US EST
    Exhibits' Debates: The UPS and Downs of Hands-on Exhibits
  • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM US EST
    House of Commons 2023: Let the Lively Debates Begin!
  • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM US EST
    How Wondering and Learning Go Hand in Hand: Practicing the Teachings from Mister Rogers
  • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM US EST
    Leading People and Performance
  • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM US EST
    New Strategies to Engage Communities with Science Contributing for Awareness, Understanding and Trust in Science
  • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM US EST
    The Museum-Wide Circuit: Connecting Powerful Guest Experience and Team Culture
  • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM US EST
    Lightning Talk – The Power Trio: Enhancing Museums through Operations, Marketing, and Business Development
  • 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM US EST
    Celebrating ASTC's 50th Anniversary
  • Sunday, October 8, 2023
  • 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM US EST
    Registration
  • 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM US EST
    Morning Stretch with Cheri
  • 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM US EST
    Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall
  • 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM US EST
    Youth Civic Engagement and STEM Meet-up
  • 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM US EST
    Engage and Fun in the Exhibit Hall
  • 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM US EST
    Exhibit Hall Open
  • 9:30 AM – 9:50 AM US EST
    Science, Engineering, & Art: A Juggler’s Perspective
  • 10:30 AM – 10:50 AM US EST
    Environmental Justice for All
  • 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM US EST
    Increasing Youth STEM Engagement through Community Collaboration
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Effective Communication in the Museum Space: Understanding Funds of Knowledge
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Empowering Youth in Climate Action: From Civic-Engagement and Leadership to Sustainable and Climate-Ready Careers
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Experiencing Space: Personal Interactions with Space Science for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Science Center and Museum Professionals
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Is This Made for Me? Learning about Exhibit Design from Youth with Learning Disabilities
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Metrics That Matter and Strategies for Success
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Taking Action Towards Net Zero
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Telling Your Story (or Why Advocacy is Not a Four-Letter Word)
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Lightning Talk – From Exclusion to Empowerment: Transforming Museums for Diverse and Inclusive Audiences, Room XXX
  • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM US EST
    ASTC Passport Program Listening Session
  • 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM US EST
    Alan J. Friedman Science Center Luncheon
  • 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM US EST
    Robotics for all: Maximize Accessibility to STEM with Robotics Programs
  • 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM US EST
    Changing World, Changing Audiences: Responding to Global Trends
  • 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM US EST
    Creating Relevance: A New Life for Old Exhibits
  • 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM US EST
    CRM SOS: Saving Science Centers from Chaos, One System at a Time
  • 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM US EST
    How to Be a Better Client and Get the Most Out of Creative Partnerships
  • 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM US EST
    Is Climate Change Rocket Science? Interactive Ways to Empower Everyone as a Climate Change Ambassador
  • 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM US EST
    Making Together: Using Making to Mediate Meetings and Build Connections
  • 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM US EST
    Not Just a Mountain Lion: Respecting the Cultural and Scientific Legacy of P-22 (Puma-22)
  • 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM US EST
    Public Perspectives on Science and Engagement in the U.S. and Canada: Understanding the Roles of Trust, Joy, and Identity
  • 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM US EST
    Relationships, Relevance, and Reciprocity: Shifting Our Institutional Perspectives Using a Connected Learning Ecosystems Framework
  • 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM US EST
    Lightning Talk – From Static to Interactive: Revolutionizing Museum Exhibits with Innovative Technology
  • 3:15 PM – 5:00 PM US EST
    Networking in the Exhibit Hall
  • 3:20 PM – 4:00 PM US EST
    Beer - 4 Ingredients to Building Successful Events
  • 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM US EST
    Backyard Project: Our Community Designs a Regenerative Learning Ecosystem
  • 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM US EST
    Facing the Future: Sharing our Collective Work & Engagement on Climate Change Share Fair
  • 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM US EST
    Poster Palooza in the Exhibit Hall
  • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM US EST
    Leadership Alumni Happy Hour
  • 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM US EST
    IF/THEN Champions Network Design Charette
  • 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM US EST
    Eclipse Happy Hour hosted by the Simons Foundation
  • 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM US EST
    Party at Discovery Place
  • Monday, October 9, 2023
  • 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM US EST
    Registration
  • 8:30 AM – 9:00 AM US EST
    Breakfast
  • 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM US EST
    Plenary Session: Recognition and Keynote
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Arts Enhance Scientific Education to Promote Innovation and Engagement
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Data Science Is Changing Our World: How Can Museums Help the Public Keep Up?
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Immersive Experiences: What Can We Learn from This Emerging Trend
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Keeping Voices in the Room: Gathering Values in Codesign for Equitable STEM Experiences
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Positioning Young People as STEM Change-Makers for the Future
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Raise Your Art Rate! Aesthetics, Science, and Wonder in Formal and Informal Learning Settings
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    THE IF/THEN COLLECTION®:  Resources and Future Directions 
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    The Next Chapter of Virtual Learning: Planning Sustainable Programming in an Evolving Landscape
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Unlocking Possibilities in Membership
  • 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM US EST
    Lightning Talk – Cultivating Talent: Strategies for Effective Human Resources and Staff Training in Museums
  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM US EST
    Balancing Structure and Open-Endedness: Designing for Agency in Museum Environments
  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM US EST
    Community Partnerships: Bringing New Voices into Science Exhibit Planning
  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM US EST
    From Community Engagement to Co-Creation: How To Move From Nice To Necessary
  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM US EST
    Generational Symphony: Harmonizing Tradition and Transformation in Science Museum Leadership
  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM US EST
    Hands, Head & Heart: Maker Experiences That Center Social Emotional Learning
  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM US EST
    Just Press Play: A Leader's Guide to Infusing Playful Learning with Leadership Practice
  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM US EST
    Relationships, Partnerships, and Asset Thinking: Learning from STEM Learning Ecosystems
  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM US EST
    The Race to Keep Up
  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM US EST
    Voices & Choices: A Soft-Systems Approach for More Equitable Program Design
  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM US EST
    Lightning Talk – STEMspiration: Fostering Curiosity and Learning in Museums through STEM Education and Programs
  • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM US EST
    A 360 Perspective on Family Engagement: Insights from Research and Practice
  • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM US EST
    A Science Center and More!: Supporting and Complementing Community Initiatives with STEM
  • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM US EST
    Better Together: Community Collaboration to Enable Access to NASA-Themed Projects
  • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM US EST
    Building a Culture of Planetary Health Action: Seeding Action and the Fifth National Climate Assessment
  • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM US EST
    Finding Your Perfect Match: Co-creating Successful Community Partnerships
  • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM US EST
    Give Me Space: Above the Earth, Rockets Galore, Observing with Webb, Mars, and More!
  • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM US EST
    Invasion of the Psychology Majors! Bringing the Science of You to Science Centers
  • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM US EST
    Reimagining Socially Just and Equitable Informal STEM Institutions and Bringing Them into Being
  • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM US EST
    Send in the Microbes: Bringing Microbiology into Your Institution
  • 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM US EST
    Racing into the Future
  • Tuesday, October 10, 2023
  • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM US EST
    Museum Experience Day at Discovery Place