Asia Pacific Network of Science & Technology Centres

Asia Pacific Network of Science & Technology Centres
Name	Asia Pacific Network of Science & Technology Centres
Acronym	ASPAC
Formation	1997
Type	Regional network
Headquarters	Bangkok
Region served	Asia Pacific
Membership	Science centres, museums, planetariums

Asia Pacific Network of Science & Technology Centres is a regional association linking informal learning institutions across the Asia-Pacific region, including science centres, museums, planetariums, and mobile science units. Founded in the late 1990s, it connects practitioners from institutions such as the National Science Museum (Thailand), Miraikan, Exploratorium, and Questacon to share exhibition development, science communication, and public engagement practices. The network fosters collaboration among organizations like the British Council, UNESCO, Asia-Europe Foundation, and regional bodies such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

History

The network originated from collaborative initiatives in the 1990s that involved institutions such as the Royal Society, Science Museum (London), and the Australian National Maritime Museum along with national agencies like the National Research Council (Canada) and the National Science Foundation (United States). Early meetings convened representatives from the Hong Kong Science Museum, National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Japan), and Geological Survey of Japan to address exhibition exchange, training, and capacity building. Influences included prior regional projects associated with UNESCO Bangkok, the Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU), and bilateral programs involving the Japan Foundation and the Korean Cultural Centre. Formalization of the network in 1997 followed discussions at forums with participants from the Indian National Science Academy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the National Council of Science Museums (India), leading to a constitution and rotating secretariat arrangements.

Membership and Organization

Membership encompasses a diverse set of institutions: national museums such as the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, university-based centres like the Indian Institute of Science, planetarium operators including the Nehru Planetarium, and community-oriented venues comparable to the Science Centre Singapore. Affiliate partners have included international organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution, International Council of Museums (ICOM), and networks like the European Network of Science Centres and Museums (ECSITE). Organizationally, the network operates through working groups patterned after models used by International Science Centre and Science Museum Day organizers and regional alliances such as the Pacific Islands Forum. Membership criteria and tiers reflect precedents set by bodies like the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), with categories for full members, associate members, and institutional partners.

Programs and Activities

Core activities mirror practices from institutions such as the Exploratorium and Ontario Science Centre, including traveling exhibitions, professional development workshops, and co-produced public programmes. The network runs capacity-building initiatives inspired by training curricula from the Museum Victoria and project frameworks similar to those used by the British Council for cultural exchange. Program strands have included exhibition co-creation with partners such as Science Centre Singapore and collaborative research projects with academic partners like the University of Tokyo and the National University of Singapore. Signature activities involve teacher training modeled on programs from the National Science Teachers Association and hands-on maker events drawing on networks like the Fab Foundation.

Conferences and Events

The network organizes periodic regional conferences hosted by member institutions such as Questacon in Canberra, the National Science Museum (Thailand) in Bangkok, and the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum in Shanghai. Conferences follow formats used by the International Museum Education Conference and the World Science Festival, featuring keynote speakers from institutions like the Royal Institution and panels including representatives from the Korea Science and Technology Foundation and the Taipei Astronomical Museum. In addition to biennial conferences, the network coordinates symposia, exhibition exchanges, and themed weeks comparable to International Museum Day and collaborates with events such as the Asia-Pacific Science Communication Forum.

Impact and Outreach

Impact is evident in enhanced exhibition quality at venues like the Singapore Science Centre, expanded public programming at the National Science Centre (India), and increased professional capacity at emerging centres across the Pacific, drawing parallels with the developmental effects noted by the World Bank in cultural infrastructure projects. Outreach efforts include multilingual resources influenced by translation practices at the British Museum and public engagement campaigns modeled after initiatives by the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA). The network’s exchanges have led to partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF for child-focused learning and collaborations with the International Astronomical Union for astronomy outreach, widening access across urban and rural communities.

Governance and Funding

Governance typically uses a rotating secretariat and executive committee with representation from member institutions similar to governance structures at the Association of Science-Technology Centers and ICOM. Funding sources combine membership fees, project grants from donors such as the Ford Foundation, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and programmatic support from agencies like the Asia Foundation and UNESCO. Project-specific funding has come from national ministries including the Ministry of Culture (Japan), the Ministry of Science and Technology (China), and philanthropic partners comparable to the Wellcome Trust. Financial oversight and strategic planning align with best practices advocated by organizations such as the International Science Council.

Category:Science museums Category:Non-profit organisations based in Asia