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Full Schedule
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Thursday, September 17, 2026
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
MST
Registration
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
MST
Registration
Location: North 300 Level Lobby
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Forward Together: Advancing Professional Learning for Informal Science Educators
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Forward Together: Advancing Professional Learning for Informal Science Educators
Location: North 222 AB
Megan Ennes, PhD
– Florida Museum of Natural History
Alix Cotumaccio
– Wildlife Conservation Society
Jedda Foreman
– The Lawrence Hall of Science
Analisa Duran
– Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Daniel Zeiger
– American Museum of Natural History
Organizational Culture and Workforce
Data and Insights
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Futures Thinking: How to Empower Audiences to Use Voices and Values to Shape Our World
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Futures Thinking: How to Empower Audiences to Use Voices and Values to Shape Our World
Location: North 224 A
Christina M. Leavell
– Arizona State University, National Informal STEM Education Network
Darrell Porcello
– Children’s Creativity Museum
Peregrine Bratschi
– Museum of Life and Science
Nicholas Weller
– Center for Innovation in Informal STEM Learning
Rae Ostman
– Arizona State University
Education and Events
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Getting Your Stuff Together: Materials Management in Science Centers
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Getting Your Stuff Together: Materials Management in Science Centers
Location: Arizona Science Center
Katie Thomas
– The Lawrence Hall of Science
Erin Dal Ferro
– The Lawrence Hall of Science
Katherine Ziff
– New York Hall of Science
Jake Montano
– Exploratorium
Benjamin Smith
– Great Lakes Science Center
Suzanna Nozik
– Great Lakes Science Center
Janet Petitpas
– Exploratorium
Business Models, Operations, and Development
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Lightning Session: Marketing, Fundraising, and Events
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Lightning Session: Marketing, Fundraising, and Events
Location: North 231 AB
Joseph Quiñones
– Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Anna Deater-Deckard
– Virginia Discovery Museum
Kate A. Higbee
– Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Darin Villanueva
– The Tech Interactive
Katrina Stevens
– The Tech Interactive
Namyoung HEO
– Busan National Science Museum
suhyeon cho, N/A, Curator
– Busan National Science Museum
Jake Shin
– Triplet
Jinsun PARK
– Pusan National University
Lara Litchfield-Kimber
– Montshire Museum of Science
Business Models, Operations, and Development
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Mapping Play: Building Playful Connections in Our Communities
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Mapping Play: Building Playful Connections in Our Communities
Location: North 225 AB
Peter Wardrip, PhD
– University of Wisconsin-Madison
Tarah Connolly
– University of Wisconsin-Madison
Beth Vanderloop
– Building for Kids Children's Museum
Heather Davis
– Madison Children's Museum
Katey Kamoku
– Explore Children's Museum
Community and Partnerships
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Museums and Civic Science: Building Community Partnerships for Environmental Action and Social Change
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Museums and Civic Science: Building Community Partnerships for Environmental Action and Social Change
Location: North 228 AB
Jessica M. Vaden
– The Franklin Institute
Kal Mannis
– Arizona Science Center
Michaela Labriole
– New York Hall of Science
Nicholas Hartmann
– New York Hall of Science
Ashton Merck
– Museum of Life and Science
Community and Partnerships
Planetary Health
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Nourish to Flourish: Opportunities for Science Centers and Museums to Connect Human and Planetary Health Through Food Systems
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Nourish to Flourish: Opportunities for Science Centers and Museums to Connect Human and Planetary Health Through Food Systems
Location: North 226 AB
Rose Hendricks, PhD
– Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Chris Wharton
– Arizona State University
Corrie Whisner
– Arizona State University
Education and Events
Planetary Health
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Using Data to Investigate Visitor Identities and Experiences
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Using Data to Investigate Visitor Identities and Experiences
Location: North 227 AB
Ryan Auster
– Museum of Science, Boston
Cecilia Garibay
– Garibay Group
Allison Anderson
– Museum of Science, Boston
Mallory Pennington
– Museum of Science, Boston
Katrina Bledsoe
– Strategic Learning Partners for Innovation (SLP4i)
Audience and Inclusion
Data and Insights
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Well, That’s Not What We Thought Would Happen…
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Well, That’s Not What We Thought Would Happen…
Location: North 232 AB
Elizabeth Fleming
– Roto
Dana Schloss
– New York Hall of Science
Heather M. Norton
– The Discovery
Chip Lindsey, M.Ed
– Scott Family Amazeum
Facility and Exhibit Design
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Words Matter: Language as Infrastructure for Trust
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
MST
Words Matter: Language as Infrastructure for Trust
Location: North 221 AB
Alison J. Stoltman, BS MS
– Arizona Museum of Natural History
Shane Anton
– Salt River Pina-Maricopa Indian Community
Kimberly Minard
– Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Dani Vernon
– Arizona Museum of Natural History
Sarah Goedicke
– Mesa Arts Center
Audience and Inclusion
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
MST
Plenary Session: Opening Keynote
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
MST
Plenary Session: Opening Keynote
Location: West 301
Data and Insights
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
MST
Exhibit Hall
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
MST
Exhibit Hall
Location: North Hall C-E
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
MST
Professional Learning for Informal Science Educators
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
MST
Professional Learning for Informal Science Educators
Location: North Breakout Overlook B
Megan Ennes, PhD
– Florida Museum of Natural History
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
MST
Human Resources Meet-up
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
MST
Human Resources Meetup
Location: Exhibit Hall - Gathering
Lauren Howard
– Science Museum Oklahoma
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
MST
Planetary Health Showcase
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
MST
Planetary Health Showcase
Location: North Hall C-E
Theresa A. Donofrio, PhD
– Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Planetary Health
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
MST
Lunch
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
MST
Lunch
Location: Exhibit Hall
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Burnout: Managing the Fuel and Fire
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Burnout: Managing the Fuel and Fire
Location: North 226 AB
Caitlin Ervin
– spectrUM Discovery Area
Nicholos J. Wethington
– spectrUM Discovery Area
Organizational Culture and Workforce
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Designing for Change: Presenting Living Innovation in Science and Technology Museums
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Designing for Change: Presenting Living Innovation in Science and Technology Museums
Location: North 231 AB
Josh Goldblum
– Bluecadet
Ann Neumann
– MIT Museum
Cynthia Brown
– MuseumEXP
Tom Rockwell
– Science and Spirit Studio | Exploratorium
Facility and Exhibit Design
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Exploring a Collaborative Initiative on Digitized Collections for Learning
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Exploring a Collaborative Initiative on Digitized Collections for Learning
Location: North 226 C
Madlyn R. Larson
– Natural History Museum of Utah
Natural History Network
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Gen Alpha Great Expectations
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Gen Alpha Great Expectations
Location: North 224 A
Matthew Dawson
– Studiodawson
Julie Moskalyk
– Supply and Demand Studios
Brian Dredla
– Musical Instrument Museum
Matthew Dawson
– Studiodawson
Audience and Inclusion
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Getting Local: Turning Climate Anxiety into Climate Action Through Place-Based Approaches
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Getting Local: Turning Climate Anxiety into Climate Action Through Place-Based Approaches
Location: North 221 AB
Gennadyi Gurman
– Brooklyn Children's Museum
Kate Mirand Calleri
– Brooklyn Bridge Park
Kelsey Holtaway
– Children's Creativity Museum
Carla Katz
– Discovery Place
Education and Events
Planetary Health
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Leading from Within: Capacity Building Leadership Development Programs for Managers & Emerging Professionals
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Leading from Within: Capacity Building Leadership Development Programs for Managers & Emerging Professionals
Location: North 227 AB
Veronica Garcia-Luis, MA
– Exploratorium
Williams Reyes
– Exploratorium
Sheldon A. Hamilton
– Explora
Chelsie Webster
– Greentrike
Organizational Culture and Workforce
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Lightning Session: Advanced Technology
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Lightning Session: Advanced Technology
Location: North 225 AB
Sarah Chisnell
– Science North
kotaro Nakao
– National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan), JST
Hoda Ehsan
– Da Vinci Science Center
Andrew Beilhart
– Da Vinci Science Center
Drexell Owusu
– Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Miranda Kerr
– Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Aparna Agarwal
– Param Science and Experience Centre
R A Udaya Rakshith
– Param Science and Experience Centre
Trends and Innovation
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Membership Momentum: Data-Driven Strategies for Growth, Renewals, and Resilience
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Membership Momentum: Data-Driven Strategies for Growth, Renewals, and Resilience
Location: North 229 AB
April Abate
– Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Ashley Witte
– COSI
Anne McNulty
– Fleet Science Center
Susan Rigby
– Museum of Life and Science
Carla Johns
– Fiske Planetarium and Science Center
Business Models, Operations, and Development
Data and Insights
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Museums and Early Literacy Programs: Empowering Young Readers Through Community-Centered STEM and Early Literacy
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
MST
Museums and Early Literacy Programs: Empowering Young Readers Through Community-Centered STEM and Early Literacy
Location: North 232 AB
Jasmine Sempel
– San Diego Air and Space Museum
Sandy Valdivia
– Fleet Science Center
Education and Events
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
Brands, Building, and Broccoli Ice Cream
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
Brands, Building, and Broccoli Ice Cream
Location: North 222 AB
Bob Allen
– IDEAS
Charles Moore
– IDEAS
Esteban Parchuc
– Cox Science Center and Aquarium
Steve Frank
– Pale Bue Dot Ventures
Laura Iles
– Integrated Insight
Trends and Innovation
Data and Insights
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
Build Better Together: Co-Creating with Communities
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
Build Better Together: Co-Creating with Communities
Location: North 225 AB
Elizabeth Andanen
– Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Fidel Ferrer
– Project LEDO
Annie Gordon
– Sciencenter
Eric Meyer
– Fleet Science Center
Antonio L. Becker
– Fleet Science Center
Community and Partnerships
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
Come On Down! The Real Cost of Science Exhibits
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
Come On Down! The Real Cost of Science Exhibits
Location: North 227 AB
Elizabeth Fleming
– Roto
John D. Shaw
– Museum EXP
Amber Stevenson
– Science Museum of Minnesota
Daniel Guyton
– Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Facility and Exhibit Design
Data and Insights
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
Dialogue & Deliberation: Using Structured Conversations to Deepen Science Engagement
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
Dialogue & Deliberation: Using Structured Conversations to Deepen Science Engagement
Location: North 228 AB
Naomi K. Wallace, PhD
– Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Rose Hendricks, PhD
– Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Eve Klein
– Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Erica Kimmerling
– Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Education and Events
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
Lightning Session: Partnerships and Collaborations
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
Lightning Session: Partnerships and Collaborations
Location: North 221 AB
Timshel Purdum
– Science Museum of Virginia
Crystal Bowyer
– Frost Museum of Science
Brenda Leigh Baker
– Madison Children's Museum
Alyson Smith
– Arizona Science Center
Perla DeBaggis
– SEMI Foundation
Ben Taylor
– American Museum of Natural History
Naina Abowd
– American Museum of Natural History
Rawaan Alkhatib
– Ralph Appelbaum Associates
Anita Krishnamurthi
– Afterschool Alliance
Community and Partnerships
Planetary Health
Data and Insights
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
Making the Case for Nature and Science: Fundraising Strategies for Museums and Science Centers in a Competitive Philanthropic Landscape
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
Making the Case for Nature and Science: Fundraising Strategies for Museums and Science Centers in a Competitive Philanthropic Landscape
Location: North 224 B
Katherine Stenesen
– Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Rachel Cusick, CFRE
– Discovery Place
Business Models, Operations, and Development
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
One Year of the ASTC Natural History Network: Emergent Topics and Future Directions
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
One Year of the ASTC Natural History Network: Emergent Topics and Future Directions
Location: North 232 AB
James R. Bell, Ed.M.
– Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Jenny Crayne
– Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Trey Crumpton
– Mayborn Museum, Baylor University
Mollie Kreb-Mertig
– Cable Natural History Museum
Trends and Innovation
Natural History Network
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
What We Learned: Unifying Frontline Teams to Transform the Staff and Visitor Journeys
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
What We Learned: Unifying Frontline Teams to Transform the Staff and Visitor Journeys
Location: North 226 AB
Hannah Weiss
– Exploratorium
Caillean Kapoor
– Science Museum of Minnesota
Emily Thomas
– Exploratorium
Rachel Hyden
– Exploratorium
Leadership and Management
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
Whose Exhibition Is It Anyway? Balancing Market Appeal and Funder Priorities
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
MST
Whose Exhibition Is It Anyway? Balancing Market Appeal and Funder Priorities
Location: North 231 AB
Debbie Donohue
– Imagine Exhibitions
Megan O'Sullivan
– Scitech
Ashley Larose, MSc
– Science North
Susan Neill, MA
– Field Museum of Natural History
Carol Tang
– American Museum of Natural History
Business Models, Operations, and Development
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
MST
Audience Mapping for Inclusive and Cohesive Branding
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
MST
Audience Mapping for Inclusive and Cohesive Branding
Location: North Hall C-E
Anna Deater-Deckard
– Virginia Discovery Museum
Anna Deater-Deckard
– Virginia Discovery Museum
Audience and Inclusion
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
MST
Evaluation for the "Other Duties as Assigned" Crowd
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
MST
Evaluation for the "Other Duties as Assigned" Crowd
Location: North Breakout Overlook A
Caitlin Ervin
– spectrUM Discovery Area
Data and Insights
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Concentric Partnerships: How Science Centers Strengthen Districts, Leaders, and Teachers for Lasting Change
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Concentric Partnerships: How Science Centers Strengthen Districts, Leaders, and Teachers for Lasting Change
Location: North 227 AB
Vanessa Lujan, PhD
– The Lawrence Hall of Science
Sarah Pedemonte
– The Lawrence Hall of Science
Mary Whaley
– California Academy of Sciences
Megan W. Taylor, PhD, NBCT
– Exploratorium
Community and Partnerships
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Exhibits² Debates: Round⁴ - Functional, Forthright, & Fascinating Forensics in Phoenix
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Exhibits² Debates: Round⁴ – Functional, Forthright, & Fascinating Forensics in Phoenix
Location: North Hall C-E
Daniel Guyton
– Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Facility and Exhibit Design
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Hands-On Math: Designing for Mathematical Play
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Hands-On Math: Designing for Mathematical Play
Location: Exhibit Hall Alcove A
Chris Nho
– MathHappens Foundation
Jordan Varat
– MathHappens Foundation
Matt Hertel
– MathHappens Foundation
Education and Events
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
How to Train Your Dragon: The Future of Professional Development for Exhibit Teams
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
How to Train Your Dragon: The Future of Professional Development for Exhibit Teams
Location: North 225 AB
John D. Shaw
– Museum EXP
Anne Fullenkamp, Associate AIA, LEAD AP
– Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Joe Imholte
– American Swedish Institute
Dana Schloss
– New York Hall of Science
Katherine Ziff
– New York Hall of Science
Facility and Exhibit Design
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
It Takes a Village: Science Center and Museum Roles in STEM Learning Ecosystems
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
It Takes a Village: Science Center and Museum Roles in STEM Learning Ecosystems
Location: North 232 AB
Christina M. Leavell
– Arizona State University, National Informal STEM Education Network
KT Todd
– Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
Beth Demke
– North Dakota’s Gateway to Science
Emily Belle
– Sciencenter
Community and Partnerships
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Mulberry Paper and Mammoths: New Insights from Fossil Prep and Public Engagement
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Mulberry Paper and Mammoths: New Insights from Fossil Prep and Public Engagement
Location: North 231 AB
Trey Crumpton
– Mayborn Museum, Baylor University
dava Butler
– Mayborn Museum, Baylor University
Charlie Walter
– Mayborn Museum, Baylor University
Lindsey T. Yann, Ph.D., PhD
– National Parks Service
Trends and Innovation
Natural History Network
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Playful Learning Pop-Up: Tinker with the LEGO Playful Learning Museum Network
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Playful Learning Pop-Up: Tinker with the LEGO Playful Learning Museum Network
Location: North 224 A
Ryoko Matsumoto
– Exploratorium
Nicolas S. Villagra
– Connecticut Science Center
Claire Johnston
– Boston Children's Museum
Anthony Pinder
– Thinkery
Carla Katz
– Discovery Place
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Professional Pathways in Informal STEM Learning
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Professional Pathways in Informal STEM Learning
Location: North 222 AB
Jenny Crayne
– Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Amanda Fisher
– Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Organizational Culture and Workforce
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Science Centers and the Future of Work
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Science Centers and the Future of Work
Location: North 226 AB
Eve Klein
– Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Melissa Ballard (she/her/hers)
– Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
Trends and Innovation
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Sparking Youth Powered Community and Civic Solutions for Planetary Health Everywhere
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
Sparking Youth Powered Community and Civic Solutions for Planetary Health Everywhere
Location: North 228 AB
Adrian O. Bueno
– Quest Science Center
Jen Kretser
– The Wild Center
Madlyn R. Larson
– Natural History Museum of Utah
Lance Cutrer, LEED Green Associate and TRUE Advisor
– Museum of Discovery & Science
Shrish Premkrishna
– Quest Science Center
Thaarak Sriram
– Quest Science Center
Education and Events
Planetary Health
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
We’ve All Been There: Field Trip Nightmares and Practical Solutions
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
MST
We’ve All Been There: Field Trip Nightmares and Practical Solutions
Location: North 221 AB
Analisa Duran
– Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
LaQuita Ford
– Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Sarah Cole, MPS
– Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Ben Taylor
– American Museum of Natural History
Business Models, Operations, and Development
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
MST
ASMD Reception for Museum CEOs - Private
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
MST
ASMD Reception for Museum CEOs - Private
Location: Children's Museum of Phoenix
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
MST
Host Party at Arizona Science Center
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
MST
Host Party at Arizona Science Center
Location: Arizona Science Center
