For many of us, our first pivotal encounters with science happened at museums. These visits created lasting impressions, inspiring us to discover more about the world around us. It’s no wonder that science and technology museums around the globe host hundreds of millions of visitors each year.

For me, it was a series of dioramas about the West I saw at age 12 — full of grizzly bears, mountain lions and wolves. I was hooked. Twenty years later, I was writing about wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park as part of a research project in law school.

Today I am pleased to announce a new partnership between the Department of Energy and the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) to combine their world-class exhibits and museums with our world-class energy experts and energy literacy educational materials. With over 650 science centers and museums internationally reaching over 95 million visitors each year, ASTC members have an impressive ability to showcase the Energy Department’s clean energy science and innovations, and to create pathways to increase energy literacy for all.

This partnership will help advance our education priorities by:

• Providing an expanded network for our Minorities in Energy initiative.
• Hosting STEM Mentoring Cafés for middle school students and teachers.
• Sharing role models from the Women @ Energy series with visitors to ASTC member facilities
• Igniting long-term interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields among underrepresented groups.

The need for energy knowledge and training is real. Studies indicate many Americans cannot name a fossil fuel, nor do they know where their electricity comes from. This collaboration provides new ways for the Department to engage in science and energy education throughscience centers and museums, as well as nature centers, aquariums, planetariums, zoos, botanical gardens, natural history museums and children’s museums.

We are looking forward to seeing and sharing the results of our new partnership with ASTC. Much like I was inspired by those dioramas as a child, this partnership will help expand energy literacy and instill a lifetime love of science and discovery in children across the globe.

To learn more about energy literacy initiatives, check out our energy education resources on Energy.gov.