NEWS

You might have noticed that the science IQ in Albuquerque seemed a little bit higher in mid-October and that’s because more than 1,700 science museum professionals from 42 countries were in town for the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Annual Conference. Local museum hosts Explora, National Museum of Nuclear History and Science, and New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science showcased New Mexico’s natural and cultural heritage in addition to our scientific and technological accomplishments.

NM EPSCoR sponsored twelve New Mexico museum and science education professionals to attend the conference. All reported that attending the conference was a valuable experience, both inspirational and educational. Gordon McDonough, a museum educator from the Bradbury Science Museum in Los Alamos reported, “My favorite part is collegial conversations with other museum professionals…It is good to be reminded that our calling is a lofty one, not a drudge, that museums are critical, and we are here to change society for the better.” Marcia Barton, a STEM educator with the Public Education Department wrote, “The conference educated me about the role and importance of informal science educators in the landscape of STEM education, especially in New Mexico. The contributions that informal science educators make in our children’s STEM education can inspire children and help to reinforce and amplify what happens in the K-12 classroom.”

All of the NM EPSCoR-sponsored conference attendees are part of the New Mexico Informal Science Education Network (NM ISE Net), a key component of the external engagement effort of Energize New Mexico. Comprised of eleven museums and four organizations with a statewide focus, the NM ISE Net is tasked with communicating the results of EPSCoR research to a broad audience across the state.

Photos L-R: Students enjoy Sandia National Lab's display during museum day; NM ISE Net members gather for breakfast during ASTC 2013.