Supporting Museums in ASTC’s Voya STEM Futures Grantmaking Program
Client: Association of Science and Technology Centers | Location: Washington, DC | Funding: Voya Foundation
We collaborated with the Association of Science and Technology Centers to support a network of museums participating in Voya STEM Futures, a grant program designed to enhance youth’s interest in STEM and STEM careers.
OVERVIEW
In 2024-25, we partnered with ASTC to support a network of museum professionals participating in Voya STEM Futures, a grant program designed to enhance the interest of youth audiences in STEM and STEM careers. Ten ASTC science centers and museums across the country were awarded grant funds and used them to deliver a diverse array of STEM programs and events for youth ages 8-14 years.
APPROACH
We designed a study to include strategic planning, professional capacity building, and evaluation, including three main parts:
A Logic Model outlining the program’s intended impact through inputs, outputs, and outcomes
Virtual trainings for grantees in Logic Model development and program evaluation
Evaluation of the ASTC grantees’ programs including youth surveys and grantee interviews
CLIENT TAKEAWAYS
ASTC staff were interested in reflecting on the grant’s existing design and intended impact to ensure it was still in alignment with ASTC’s and its funder’s priorities. Thus, we worked with staff to develop a Logic Model that will guide the grant’s planning and design into the future and can be revisited as ASTC and the world around them changes. ASTC also prioritized grantees’ professional development as part of the project by having us facilitate virtual training for grantees in Logic Model development and evaluation.
Through evaluation conducted in collaboration with grantees at their sites, we found that the Voya STEM Futures Program supported ASTC member organizations to create programs in a variety of contexts that were welcoming and sparked youth’s interest in STEM activities. While youth rated their program experiences as highly enjoyable and had some “ah-ha” learning moments, they demonstrated room for growth in their perception that STEM activities and careers are a worthwhile long-term pursuit. Teens and youth who had a history of participating in STEM prior to the program that was evaluated were more likely to be interested in pursuing STEM careers. Some of this interest has to do with the developmental level of participants but some also has to do with repeated exposure to STEM and access to STEM opportunities, which is one way museums’ STEM programs can continue to contribute to youth’s broader STEM journey.