ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Anyone building a new science center now should consider basing it on
something other then the current cookbook. In our research for new science
center models, what we find is forward looking directors who are focusing
on is creating more of a community resource with programs for all ages and
less on informal science to school groups. The financial sustainability is
less dependent on gate sales for attraction/ themed exhibits and more on
subscriptions, paid programming for teens and adults, and episodic
experiences. This is probably one of the reasons there is so much interest
in makers spaces. I think that once the things that are in the way of the
current model flip it will be possible to pivot to the future model which I
believe is more sustainable (programmatically and financially).


On Wed, Sep 25, 2013 at 7:20 PM, Amy Johnston <
[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.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Hi all,
> Here is a big philosophical question for you all.  At Science Alive in
> Christchurch, New Zealand the earthquakes have given us a unique
> opportunity to start again. We can build a new purpose built centre. We
> want to make the most of this opportunity. One of our biggest challenges is
> to make the new centre sustainable so it is around for years to come. The
> world seems to be full of science centres that started so well but then had
> to close down a few years later or make significant numbers of staff
> redundant. We want to know what are the characteristics of centres that
> have survived well?  Also the converse. Are there any factors that seem to
> cause problems for science centres?
>
> We know what we believe to be the answers to these questions, but would
> love to get your unbiased (and biased) opinions. The collected knowledge
> will feed into our strategic planning.
>
> Thanks for your time.
>
> ***********************************************************************
> 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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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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