astc membership cheapest

ASTC does not administer museum membership cards. All memberships include discounted admission to over 300 science centers and museums across the United States and around the world through the Association of Science and Technology Center's (ASTC) Travel Passport Program. We loved the Evergreen Aviation Museum outside of Portland, Oregon and the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman. You can always search for reciprocal memberships and find even more, but these are some of the most popular. Here are the important details: Association of Childrens Museums (These guidelines will go into effect April 1st, 2013). I felt terrible after hyping it up we had to turn around and get back in the car because paying full price wasnt an option for us. Then we got into the Living Desert Zoo for an additional $50 which was the half price discount. Google Universal Analytics short-time unique user tracking identifier. from We purchased ours through Boonshoft childrens museum in Ohio http://www.boonshoftmuseum.org. You can learn more about your local zoo or aquarium's membership program on their website or by contacting them directly. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. If you have older kids that may be the better option for you. PLEASE NOTE: This post was written in 2013. Special programs and events are excluded. Thanks so much, Molly! Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. The prices vary greatly so we always check ahead of time. ASTC- Association of Science and Technology Centers Founded in 1973, ASTC has approximately 650 members in nearly 50 countries. Preference cookies enable a website to remember information that changes the way the website behaves or looks, like your preferred language or the region that you are in. We continued learning and the following year when the memberships were up for renewal we bought a membership from Dayton Society of Natural History, also called Boonshoft, for $145 and this membership gave us all three of the reciprocals. Call us at (773) 947-3161 or email us. However, if there is a specific museum you are interested in visiting, it never hurts to call ahead just to make sure there are no restrictions (some museums may have special times of day or certain days of the week when only card-holding museum members can visit, etc.). This site uses different types of cookies. With a large family, things can add up quickly so we are selective about our purchases. Add-on to Dual: $25 per grandparent/nanny up to 1. Hope to get there soon. Sci-Store purchases - 10% off. Your browser is not compatible with this website. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, This link has a list of all the participating museums and science centers. Roger Williams Park Zoo in RI is a favorite as is the Ecotarium in Worcester. 1. Enjoy them! Portions of the website, including membership login, join, renewal, shopping, and AirVenture ticketing may be unavailable at that time. MOSI in Tampa and the Orlando Science Center were both really cool! Yes! Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages. The museum you are visiting has to be more than 90 miles from your "home" museum that you are a member of. Union Station including Science City and all of our vital offerings is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, with an operating budget that is sustained through donations. Experience the regions biggest screen (five stories high and 80 feet wide)! Ive written it off our list. Actually The Children's Museum isn't part of ASTC. With our membership we get: Free admission or discounts to science museums - ASTC science museums ( http://www.astc.org) Discounts at zoos and aquariums -AZA Association of Zoos & Aquariums ( https://www.aza.org ), Half price at Children's Museums - ACM Association of Children's Museums ( http://www.childrensmuseums.org) Exclusions apply and benefits vary. Call us at (773) 947-3161 or email us. Costco says the time to raise membership prices is 'about now,' but it won't just yet: 'We'll let you know'. You will also qualify for a 10% discount at the gift shop for museum purchases. You will need to bring your ID and your membership card with you to get into the attraction for free. And although youll want to check out municipal websites or call local Parks & Rec departments to double check on the status of those destinations before heading out, you can use our popular Big List of Connecticut Playgrounds to discover the more than 50 playgrounds []. The two major member organizations that offer these reciprocal programs are the Association of Children's Museums (ACM) and the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). A Union Station membership includes: Free admission to Science City for 12 months; Discounted tickets to exhibits; ASTC Travel Passport Program with discounted admission to 300+ museums Aside from that one museum, we typically plan trips with the intention of visiting museums and its always added value to our trips making wonderful memories. It allows free parking with a valid membership and six free tickets to a Discovery Room session or a planetarium show. Thank you again for your support of Union Station Kansas City. It's one of the many benefits of our membership program! Dont have time to check back in? Entry through Members' Only ticket lines via our Harborside Entrance. They wouldnt be much of a benefit if you stay in one place, but they have provided us with a way to go to so many different places and it only costs us the gas to get there. Participation in and the benefits of reciprocity programs can change at any time, so please keep these tips in mind: MSI members at all levels enjoy 50 percent off admission at the following museums: Can't find your answer online? Sustainers receive all the benefits of membership for up to 8 plus: Our Corporate Program offers various levels of engagement to fit your company. These memberships, priced at $250 and $500, deepen the relationship with our members by upgrading them to donors. EAA is now hiring seasonal grounds crew employees! Our Premium Members receive FREE tickets to the exhibit and can book those tickets for any date, even dates that are sold out! The price we would have paid to get into the science center for 1 day was $140. Located in Little Rock, Arkansas, this incredible museum will allow two adults and up to three children from the same household to enjoy a day of exploring. Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable. So glad to hear that the reciprocal program has been useful for your family. endstream endobj startxref It is basically a big play area for kids, usually with different themed play areas. I have a membership in Indianapolis (for which I paid $70 for the family) and got into Chicago's Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, and Adler's Planetarium for free. Discover the universe like never before in our 60 foot, clear 360-degree dome featuring twin 4K projection technology, booming surround sound, and new seating and lighting. Not far away. Premium members receive guest passes to our traveling exhibitions, Science City, and Planetarium. Marketing cookies are used to track visitors across websites. As part of its commitment to accessibility, The Museum of Flight is pleased to offer three ways to enjoy the Museum for those in our community who may be faced with financial barriers. I believe North America as a whole has a reciprocal agreement with many big zoo's and aquariums. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Nonprofit or for-profit organizations that engage the public in science and share ASTCs commitment to diversity, accessibility, inclusion, and equity, but that do not operate science centers or museums. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Our membership (premium level) also includes 2hrs of fee parking, bonus tickets to Omni, Planetarium and guest passes (more tickets for Premium level vs Basic level). Find Participating Museums . And to make matters even more confusing, there are going to be some significant changes to one of the major reciprocal programs, the Association of Childrens Museums, going into effect on April 1st, 2013. This essentially means that if you have two ASTC-participating museums in your city and you belong to one of them, you cannot go to the other one for free. Free admission or discounts to science museums ASTC science museums (http://www.astc.org). Invitation to USKC Giving Society, including Signature Events. ***Business member facility rental includes Grand Plaza, Science City, Extreme Screen, Haverty Family Yards, Arthur Stilwell, Jarvis Hunt, Innovation Center. We always have plenty of free choices of museums and zoos to visit locally and when traveling with this choice. Members receive instant savings on tickets to our exhibits. The added benefit of visiting zoos is a real bonus for us. 4:00 By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. Can You Use a National Parks Pass at State Parks, Save Thousands on Your Next Family Road Trip with Reciprocal Programs. Military Discount Active, Reserve, and Retired Military - $2.00 off per person in the immediate family with proper ID. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Natural History Museum of Los Angelos County. Be a part of this go-to resource and sign up now! ASTCs Commitment to Diversity, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Equity, ASTC Fellow Award for Outstanding Contribution, 2020 PIT Community Innovation Fellowship Program, Community Science Dialogue & Deliberation Fellowship Program, Thriving Earth Exchange Community Science Fellows Program, Accessibility Toolkit for Museum Digital Engagement, Center for Advancement of Informal Science Education, Sparks for Science, Community, and Equity, CCLI (Cultural Competence Learning Institute), Collaboration for Ongoing Visitor Experience Studies (COVES), Informal STEM Learning (ISL) Professional Framework, International Science Center and Science Museum Day, Diversity and Leadership Development Fellows Program, Dialogue & Deliberation Fellowship Program, Thriving Earth Exchange Fellowship Program, Public Interest Technology Community Innovation Fellowship Program, Learn about Science Center and Museum Member Benefits. Thanks so much for your feedback. Nonprofit or public science centers or museums, nature centers, aquariums, planetariums, zoos, botanical gardens, space theaters, natural history museums, and childrens museums that share an interest in inquiry-based learning and participatory science education. https://tickets.unionstation.org/resend. Open tomorrow I consent to the use of following cookies: Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. Participants in government assistance and EBT . Many museums offer these types of reciprocal memberships, but often the ins and outs of that reciprocity can be a little hard to follow. Your email address will not be published. You can get free admission when you travel outside of your local area to other institutes participating in the program. IF you have more than six members in your family, regular rates apply for the rest of the group. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Discounts at zoos and aquariums -AZA Association of Zoos & Aquariums (https://www.aza.org), Half price at Childrens Museums ACM Association of Childrens Museums (http://www.childrensmuseums.org). It depends on the museum and who runs it. There are some museums and zoos that are listed as discounted admission, like the Philadelphia Zoo and are clearly identified on the MOS website. Guests must present proof of current ASTC museum membership and a valid photo ID to receive . Union Station is a member of ASTC. that they could search online for the ASTC member museum that offered the cheapest membership with Travel Passport benefits, then join that museum and visit their local institutions for free. Please read my disclosure for more info. p.m. Members can get two adults and their children under seventeen for free. ** Any special display areas with an additional charge in the museum you are visiting are excluded. Click for Privacy Policy / Disclosure Policy. Memberships have been simplified to Solo and Dual, with the option to add children and grandchildren to the Dual membership. Ask around- ask family, friends, co-workers, call your museum or zoo of interest and search online. Now, as Julie Andrews playing Frulein Mariafamously sang inThe Sound of Music, Lets start at the very beginning. Thats a wonderful idea! To check if a museum participates in the ACM Reciprocal Program, click HERE. If someone like mesomeone who spends a good chunk of her free and waking hours researching and writing about things to do with kidscould make this mistake, then I am probably not alone. However, it does not include 3-D films, and if you want to watch those, it does cost $5 per person. Exclusive discounts on: Franklin Institute parking garage - $5 off. Levels and Prices; Membership FAQs . We can add one other "family" member to our plan for like $10 or something, I think. Free admission for two additional guests and all children in household and grandchildren under 21. Not long ago. Thanks for de-mystifying the ACM reciprocal membership changes for everyone I know its going to be a bumpy ride come April 1st, but this post will surely help folks understand the changes. We also have reciprocity at many childrens museums (e.g., Providence, Stepping Stone, etc. We did the same thing. We were so lucky to learn about the awesome reciprocal museum membership that you can buy. There are many fantastic attractions within the Association of Science-Technology Centers or ASTC network. We have literally saved hundreds of dollars since we bought ours back in January! You can see the full list of participating museums at https://www.astc.org/membership/find-an-astc-member/passport/. To purchase a membership using the value of your tickets, call 816-460-2231 or email [emailprotected]. Thanks for all the info Jen at www.free2breathe.com! Stacey Hi! EAA members can present the EAA Membership card to enjoy nearly 400 museum and science centers worldwide free of charge, thanks to a partnership with the Association of Science-Technology Centers and its ASTC Travel Passport Program. If you use Bank of America they do "museums on us" allowing their card holders one free ticket per card during the first weekend of every month (http://museums.bankofamerica.com) there's over 150 participating museums all over the US! Regarding Reciprocity as part of our MOS membership benefits we receive Free access, (not a discounted rate) to the museums/zoos weve visited, including Roger Williams Park Zoo in RI. The 12-month membership would begin when your recipient redeems the voucher. hbbd```b``v5 i74[fkHLYzgEk`@1H2vD,DA ." l k&;20P?k d BTW, the Ecotarium is on our list of places we really want to visit. However, you can only go to their general, and traveling exhibits are and the public simulators. Before traveling we had no idea about these reciprocals. Senior Discount Seniors (ages 60 and up) receive a $2 discount on COSI general admission. Located in Oakland, California, this wonderful space and science center will awe your family while you learn and explore space for the day. Military. at the Ticketing Office during business hours. We regularly use our reciprocal benefits as they offer ASTC & AZA. At our first stop we had already saved money. Within CT, we have free access to: Beardsley Zoo, Discovery Museum, West Hartford Childrens Museum (with a hassle), Stepping Stones (require ID), Lutz Museum, and I cant remember the others, but those are the ones we use regularly). They also do not follow the 90 mile rule for most other participating museums in Massachusetts so we have found we can enjoy our pass at almost all of the places we love throughout our neighboring states, but mostly right here in Connecticut. Science centers and museums located within 90 miles* of the science center/museum where the visitor is a member. These are memberships that you buy from one place and can use at many. So in the one day, we saved money by shopping around and got a better discount for the rest of the year. Guaranteed to inspire and excite everyone in the family! While your idea sounds good, one of the conditions is that you cannot get free admission to participating museums within 90 miles from your home address. 109 0 obj <> endobj endstream endobj 110 0 obj <>/Metadata 10 0 R/Pages 107 0 R/StructTreeRoot 20 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 111 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 107 0 R/Resources<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 112 0 obj <>stream You see, Im a member of a museum in Connecticut that is part of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). With your ASTC passport, two adults and up to four children can get into the attraction for a day of fun. Our family has found a great way to avoid the agrivation of the 90 mile rule that works for us. This essentially means that if you have two ASTC-participating museums in your city and you belong to one of them, you cannot go to the other one for free. As an MSI member, you may take advantage of the ASTC Travel Passport Program that allows you to visit museums across the U.S. and around the world for free or discounted admission. Childrens Classes, Playtimes, & Storytimes, Childrens Museum of Southeastern Connecticut, The NEW Playground at Elm Ridge Park in Rocky Hill, The Lutz Childrens Museum (changing from $100/year to $125/year), Kidcity(changing from $100/year to $125/year, although Kidcity will still offer a Kidcity-only membership for $100/year), Imagine Nation (changing from $100/year to $125/year), Childrens Museum of Southeastern Connecticut (changing from $100/year to $125/year). + $14 per additional child. Help transform lives through the power of science and science education. AZA Association of Zoos & Aquariums https://www.aza.org/. Reserve Tickets. Were all digital these days and do not have the capability to print cards. Thanks for this posting about reciprocal programs. One point for clarification: the Connecticut Science Center is an ASTC member; however, the center doesnt participate in the Passport Program. Admission benefits at more than 300 different science centers and museums through the ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers) Passport Program Supporting Memberships: Supporting Memberships help to create world-class exhibits and STEM educational programs. I was most impressed with the science and nature museums. The San Diego Natural History Museum allows two adults and children under eighteen to spend the day exploring. We paid $109 for the day, but then we could get into other zoos for free or half price for the rest of the year. Venues requesting proof of residence are marked by ( IDs) on the Passport Program participants' list. You will have admittance to the Extreme Mount Washington Museum in the Mt. Hope this helps! BTW-We love the Ecotarium in Worcester, MA. Learn about Science Center and Museum Member Benefits. https://www.astc.org/find-a-science-center, https://www.astc.org/membership/find-an-astc-member/passport/, 2 World-class Traveling Exhibit Guest Passes, 4 World-class Traveling Exhibit Guest Passes, 16 World-class Traveling Exhibit Guest Passes, Exclusive Invite to Behind the Scenes Tour of USKC, Exclusive Invite to Annual CEO Meet and Greet, Members-only invitations for exclusive offerings and events, Free admission to Science City for 12 months, ASTC Travel Passport Program with discounted admission to 300+ museums. Members can gain free access to the exhibit gallery for up to four people. As members, we receive reciprocity at AZA and ASTC (over 500 museums and zoos nation-wide and countless places world-wide.). Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient. But the good news is that sometimes there are exceptions. Science City Summer Camp is wildly popular and fills to capacity each year! Wondering what museums are on the list? Yup. If youve never been to a childrens museum and you have kids, you need to check one out. Member benefits such as Science City admission cannot be used by guests who are not on the membership. Zoos & Aquariums https://www.aza.org/reciprocity/ Membership Visit an ASTC Passport Program venue today! Gift memberships are sold as gift cards. Members save $50 on birthday party packages. Membership at my museum easily pays for itself in a year. Great question! JavaScript is required to operate this site. Union Station members receive FREE General or Discounted Admission to 300+ Science Museums Worldwide (including museums in Kansas and Missouri) through the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Travel Program. I work at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, and all employees automatically get a free ASTC membership. One of the best deals for this is: http://www.wildwnc.org It is only $64 for a family membership! Of course, Mandy and I are not experts on the subject, so its always wise to consult a museum directly if youre looking for specific information on membership or reciprocity. AZA-AssociationofZoosandAquariums Free or half priced admission into nearly 100 different zoos and aquariums. The museum you are visiting has to be more than 90 miles from your home address. It includes over 300 organizations in more than 40 states across the country. Included for up to 2 adults and 6 youth (ages 3-17) in the same household plus 2 named caregivers (nannies, grandparents, etc.) Open today Check out this great list of the Best Museums For Kids In The US all of these may not be on the reciprocal program as it is always changing so be sure to check the website before you go. Not long ago. Give thegiftof education, entertainment, and discovery. Google advertising cookie used for user tracking and ad targeting purposes. You can also learn more by visiting the ACMs website or the ASTCs website. For details, phone our Membership Office. The membership is a total frugal win-win gift. It is unfortunate that there is that 90-mile restriction. Members receive free admission to Science City year-round. Childrens Museums http://www.childrensmuseums.org/family-reciprocal-membership.html. Heres a quick breakdown for some of the most popular museums in and around Connecticut: 4. Students, Seniors 55+, and Military can receive $5 off when they purchase their membership at the box office with a valid ID. 60637 180 0 obj <>stream Thanks for sharing your experience, Susan! I dont mind supporting the Providence Childrens Museum. Located in Owensboro, Kentucky, the Owensboro Museum of Science and History will allow ASTC members free admission to the exhibit hall for a family of six. North American Reciprocal Museum Association is a great program too. This site uses different types of cookies. The fine print - both conditions have to be true: The museum you are visiting has to be more than 90 miles from your "home" museum that you are a member of. Experience new traveling exhibits hosted by Union Station each year. 2020 Association of Science and Technology CentersSite map | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy. We use the heck out of our AZA and ACM memberships to stretch our legs on those long drives. If you dont see your digital cards in your inbox, please check your spam. When visiting a partner museum, just show your digital card for your membership to be honored. I wish I would have known about this years ago. Absolutely! To redeem your guest passes, please call membership at 816-460-2231 or visit the box office on Level B during business hours. ), but not Boston Childrens. Purchase tickets online Plus, your membership is tax-deductible and, with it, you become part of our historic family of supporters helping ensure our place in the community for the next 100+ years! Let us send you an automatic notification of new posts straight to your email inbox by signing uphere. All Rights Reserved 2023. It is an awesome program for anyone that likes to visit museums but especially for people who travel a lot! If youve been following our blog, you may remember that I recently took Boo to the Providence Childrens Museum. Senior (65+) $9. Allied Members currently include companies and independent contractors; emerging science centers and museums not yet open to the public; foundations; scientific societies; community organizations; North American Federal, state, provincial, tribal, or local government agencies; and more. 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