Click on any of the links below to view project research.

Professional Learning Framework Literature Review

Professional Learning Framework: DACUM Panels

Characteristics and Dimensions of Professional Development Frameworks

Validating an Informal STEM Learning (ISL) Framework: Findings from Empirical Research

Excerpts from IMLS Final Performance Report

ASTC Professional Development Survey

Click here to view an executive summary of ASTC’s 2013 survey of professional development needs of science center and museum staff.

Informal STEM Professional Framework

To view a PDF version of the Framework, click here.

Competency Profiles

The goal of the competency profile is to understand what job responsibilities science center and museum professionals need to be able to perform in order to be successful in informal STEM learning (ISL) institutions across three career stages. While each competency profile was developed to correspond to a different career stage, professionals often find their responsibilities and capabilities span multiple levels.

The profiles were developed using the well-tested DACUM process, then verified and reviewed by science center and museum professionals across the United States. In each profile, the chart shows overarching job duties with necessary supporting tasks. On the second page are lists of skills, knowledge, and characteristics required of a professional at each career stage.

Early-Stage Science Museum Professional

Mid-Stage Science Museum Professional

Mature-Stage Science Museum Professional