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Association of Science and Technology Centers

Publish Date: 
Thursday, October 17, 2013 - 11:15am

For Immediate Release

Contact: Randall Gann

Cell 505.252.6869

Hundreds of Science and Museum Professionals Visit Albuquerque for ASTC Conference

Albuquerque, NM - Explora, the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science will co-host the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Annual Conference in Albuquerque from October 19 – 22, 2013. The ASTC conference will offer more than 100 educational sessions on professional development and programming activities for science centers, museums, and related institutions with an informal science education focus.

Charles Walter, Director, NM Museum of Natural History and Science said, “Over 1600 science and museum professionals have pre-registered for the conference, and they are expected to spend an estimated 1.6 million dollars during their time in Albuquerque.”

On Tuesday, October 22, “Science in the Park” will fill Tiquex Park with table-top activities and demonstrations from over twenty world-class science institutions. Children from several Albuquerque schools will get the opportunity to interact with science and museum professionals from the Franklin Institute from Philadelphia, PA; Challenger Learning Center of Alaska; New Mexico Museum of Space History from Alamogordo, NM; and many more. This is a public event.

The ASTC is a nonprofit organization of science centers and museums dedicated to furthering public engagement with science among increasingly diverse audiences. Founded in 1973, ASTC represents over 600 members in nearly 40 countries. ASTC strives to increase awareness of the valuable contributions its members make to their communities and the field of informal STEM learning.

Explora welcomes people of all ages and creates opportunities for inspirational discovery and joy of lifelong learning through interactive experiences in science, technology and art. Explora is located near Albuquerque’s historic Old Town at 1701 Mountain Road, NW, at the corner of 18th and Mountain Streets. Explora has free parking and is wheelchair accessible. For more information visit www.explora.us.

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is located at 601 Eubank SE in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the entrance to the Sandia Science & Technology Park. Formerly the National Atomic Museum, which opened in 1969 and was chartered by Congress in 1991, the Museum serves as a repository and steward of nuclear-related historical items and is a Smithsonian affiliate. The Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 361 days a year. The Museum’s website is www.nuclearmuseum.org and the phone number is 505-245-2137

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science preserves and interprets the distinctive natural and scientific heritage of our state through extraordinary collections, research, exhibits, and programs designed to ignite a passion for lifelong learning. NMMNHS is located at 1801 Mountain Road, NE. For more information visit www.nmnaturalhistory.org

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