LEE PULLEN PHOTOGRAPHY
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres brings together the UK’s science and discovery centres, museums and STEM engagement organisations to increase the reach and impact of public engagement with science.
As a national membership organisation representing this network of trusted institutions within the science education ecosystem, we operate at both a strategic and delivery level. We provide a distinctive combination of national reach, sector expertise, programme management capability and skills development, working in partnership with funders, researchers, industry and communities to reach diverse audiences. Our work contributes to both local and national priorities, striving for a society where science is accessible, inclusive and valued by all as a fundamental part of everyday life.
- 60+ members
- 25m+ people of all ages reached every year
- UK-wide network
- 35 national STEM engagement programmes
- Over 20 years of specialist experience in reaching underserved audiences
Why work with ASDC?
National network and reach
A UK-wide network of science and discovery organisations with established relationships with schools, communities and local partners. ASDC creates programmes to operate at scale while responding to local priorities and audiences.
Cross-sector expertise and connections
Established relationships across science, research, education, government, industry and funding. ASDC connects partners and translates research and strategic priorities into engaging public-facing programmes.
Evidence-led programme design
Combining research, evaluation, participant insight and sector expertise to design ambitious programmes grounded in evidence and learning.
Proven programme delivery
Extensive experience developing and managing nationally distributed programmes, translating funder objectives into practical delivery frameworks, supporting partners to deliver effectively, monitor progress and manage reporting, evaluation and programme legacy.
Inclusive, community-focused engagement
Expertise in reaching audiences underrepresented in STEM through trusted local organisations and community partnerships, with a strong focus on reducing barriers to participation.
Evaluation, learning and impact
Strong experience demonstrating reach, outcomes and impact through robust evaluation, while capturing learning to improve and scale future programmes. Our Valuing Inclusion Theory of Change provides a shared framework for understanding and measuring inclusive STEM engagement.
What we can deliver
STEM programmes - designing and delivering UK-wide programmes with national consistency and strategic coherence, with a focus on delivery in line with local priorities, audiences and contexts. Over the past five years we’ve worked with funders, STEM partners and ASDC members to deliver large scale programmes such as Explore Your Universe, Destination Space, Project Inspire, Bold Futures, Lightyear, Operation Earth, Mindsets + Missions, Our World From Space, Next Gen Earth and Demystifying AI.
Audience reach - connecting funders with millions of people through well-known public-facing organisations.
Community engagement - reaching diverse communities through trusted local organisations and place-based activity.
Sector development - building skills, sharing practice and strengthening the capability of the science engagement sector.
Research and evaluation - generating insight into public engagement, participation and impact.
Partnerships and convening - bringing together organisations, funders, researchers, policymakers and industry around shared goals and national priorities.
Evidence of impact
Demystifying AI: 15 science centres and museums | 70,021 people engaged | Jan–Apr 2026 | Funded by UKRI
Helping people of all ages build understanding and trust in AI through accessible, hands-on engagement. Negative perceptions of AI shifted from 32% down to just 10% as a result of this programme.
Next Gen Earth: 9 delivery centres | 3,695 interaction hours | Aug 2025 – Feb 2026 | Funded by Natural Environment Research Council, part of UKRI
Engaging 7–18 year olds from diverse and often underrepresented backgrounds with environmental science, research, and careers. 22.7% increase in young people who strongly agreed that they could join in with environmental science activities.
“For some of the young people we are the first positive experience of science that they have had.” Science and Discovery Centre Practitioner
Our World From Space: 26 delivery partners | 275,883 participants | 2023–26 | Funded by UK Space Agency
Connecting space science with planetary health and sustainability.
“…Engaging young people and their families in their local communities is a key part of our aims. We’re excited to see so many children and adults who can now see how their own lives are connected to space science. What’s even more exciting is hearing how this programme has highlighted the broad range of space careers available and addressed the misconceptions around who can have a career in space." Ingmar Kamalagharan, Head of Education and Future Workforce, UK Space Agency
Explore Your Universe: 38 delivery partners | 406,218 participants | 15-year project | Funded by Science Technology Facilities Council, part of UKRI
A multi-phase large‑scale engagement programme for equitable STEM practice, equipping science centres and the wider informal science learning sector with practical, evidence‑based approaches that enable inclusive, relevant and community‑centred engagement with STFC science.
“EYU is a project which now is a force for equity and social justice through science and technology." STFC Advisory Panel for Public Engagement member
The ASDC network
One network > hundreds of places and spaces to engage > reaching over 25 million people every year
From the small outreach organisations working in rural areas of Scotland and Wales, to the expansive city centre science and discovery centres around the UK, ASDC members include a diverse mix of institutions with one clear remit; to give people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities the opportunity to access hands-on science. These science engagement organisations are embedded in the heart of their communities in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They have long-term partnerships with communities, schools and families as well as local universities, industry and business, regional government and the media.
Map of the UK showing ASDC members 2026-27
Our experience with funders and partners
We work with funders and partners to translate strategic priorities into engaging, evidence-led programmes that can be delivered consistently at national scale while remaining responsive to local communities.
Why ASDC, and why now?
Science engagement has never been more important.
The UK needs new ways to build trust in science, widen participation, strengthen STEM pathways and engage communities with the major challenges shaping our future. ASDC provides the infrastructure, relationships and expertise to turn investment into meaningful engagement at scale.
Whether you're looking to reach new audiences, deliver a national programme, strengthen STEM engagement or explore a new partnership, talk to us about what we could achieve together.
Email the team – partnerships@sciencecentres.org.uk