ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science in Albuquerque has run a Junior Docent program in the summer for a very long time-- a staff member ran it, along with a college intern who was funded by a small grant. As the 2011 summer season approached, we had lost the staff member and were in a hiring freeze. The only way we could see to have the program continue was to charge-- so we went to a $100 fee for each student. We ensured we had a scholarship program in place. I fielded many parent questions, and drafted a letter explaining why we needed to charge. The main question was that their children were volunteering, and why did they have to pay to volunteer? I explained that with teens, you do not just leave them alone, we required supervision, guidance, and learning challenges throughout their time with us, and that scholarships were available. Some parents said they understood, others did not have their teens return. We gave out several scholarships. We planned a smaller program, and it filled quickly.
Tish Morris
Sent from my iPad
On Dec 19, 2012, at 8:00 AM, "Fournier, Kathy" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> We just began charging for our educational programs ($2 per student)this fall. I fought this for as long as I could but when trying to balance our budget last year it became clear we had to at least try. So after 5 months of real numbers and looking at projected reservations through May it has not hurt us at all. In fact I have not heard a single comment, positive or negative from our schools. It has been a non-issue in terms of school relations but a very positive result in terms of our budget.
>
> Hope that helps.
>
> Kathy Fournier
> Vice President of Education
> McWane Science Center
> 200 19th Street North
> Birmingham, AL 35203
> 205-714-8254
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Uzzi, Bernadette
> Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 8:52 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: charging fees for previously no-cost programs
>
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Has anyone had the experience of offering free programming and then due to loss of funding had to charge? If so, what were the outcomes? Did you find other creative ways to reduce costs while maintaining a good rapport with your repeat customers?
>
> Bernadette Uzzi
> Supervisor, K-12 Educational Programs
> Brookhaven National Laboratory
> PO Box 5000 Bldg 400C
> Upton, NY 11973
> 631-344-2756
> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>
>
> ***********************************************************************
> 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.
>
> The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
>
> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to [log in to unmask]
>
> ***********************************************************************
> 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.
>
> The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
> http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
>
> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
> message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
> [log in to unmask]
***********************************************************************
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.
The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]
|
