I’m so pleased to be joining my colleagues from across the world in a few weeks at the Association of Science Technology Centers (ASTC) in Toronto. This year’s conference theme is Moonshots: Rendezvous with the Future, and there are many sessions inspired by moonshots that tackle ambitious long-range goals by leveraging science and technology to solve complex and difficult problems.

This is an impressively large-scale conference with lots of concurrent sessions, and it’s been difficult to decide on what I’ll be attending, but there are a few programs that really stand out:

• Addressing Barriers to Participation: Making the Museums of the Future Equitable, Inclusive, and Accessible
• Iterating on Design Thinking in Museums
• Tu Museo: Meeting the Needs of Latino Audiences

I’m also looking forward to sharing some of the findings from our research on relevance for millennial engagement with science in collaboration with LabX at the National Academy of Sciences. I’ll be presenting on a panel focused on increasing relevance for all with a range of fascinating topics from colleagues at MSI, AMNH, Peoria Playhouse, and TERC.

I’m always up for debriefing sessions, catching up on what’s new (and challenging) at your organizations, making new connections, and enjoying some of the evening events together. So, let me know if you will be at ASTC this year—it would be great to meet up!

Photo: Visitors of all ages interact with the Fantastic Bug Encounters exhibit at The Field Museum in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Ashley Ann Wolfe.