ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
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Overall, around the Northern Hemisphere from A-Z, September is a slow month with respect to anything except getting started for school, and a few European and Asian tourists on late vacations and avoiding the summer crowds.  There may be some topical events, and new things that will attract, but I think most are recuperating from summer and adjusting to new schedules.  Just like January is a dead month for restaurants.

We once thought about closing for the month.
C
On Sep 1, 2010, at 10:05 AM, Bivings, Lindzy wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> One thing that we do is to offer home school programming during September. This is a perfect time for them and fills in a gap for when teachers aren't quite ready to come on a fieldtrip. For our major homes school events we receive 500+ families. Some of them come from a 3-4 hour drive away specifically to be here. We offer school fieldtrip admission prices and then charge a bit extra for special programming such as student labs and collections programs.
> 
> Lindzy Bivings
> Manager of Enhanced Museum Visits for Students
> California Academy of Sciences
> T: (415) 379-5188
> F: (415) 379-5711
> [log in to unmask]
> www.calacademy.org/teachers/rockprogram
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kristie Mazzoni
> Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2010 9:49 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Fall slowdown
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> Everyone,
> 
> Most of our local schools are back in session, and we are starting our
> slow season. Families are not on vacation, as they are in the summer,
> and school groups are not yet taking field trips. In September and the
> beginning of October, our attendance drops by about thirty percent. We
> are spending some of the time cleaning, moving exhibits, and training
> staff, and we do not have the additional expenses of seasonal workers or
> heating/ air conditioning. We are concerned about the drop in cash
> revenue for this period, and we are trying to think of ways to bring in
> additional guests.
> 
> Does your museum/ science center have any proven methods for attracting
> guests during this slow time? Do you do special events, offer discounts,
> give breaks to your members? We are already trying a membership
> promotion and a field trip discount. What else can you suggest? I would
> appreciate any advice, large or small. Thanks.
> 
> 
> 
> Kristie M. Mazzoni
> 
> Planetarium Director
> 
> Travelers Science Dome at the Gengras Planetarium
> 
> The Children's Museum 
> 
> 950 Trout Brook Drive
> 
> West Hartford CT 06119
> 
> 
> 
> (860) 231-2830 x40
> 
> 
> 
> 
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Charles Carlson
Senior Scientist
exploratorium
3601 Lyon St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
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Tel:   415-561-0319
Fax:  415-561-0370








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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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