The American Association of Museums has extended the Saint Louis Science Center’s accreditation for another five years.
The Science Center was initially accredited in 1989, re-accredited in 1995 and 2009, and with the extension, the Science Center is now accredited for 15 years.
The Science Center is one of only 779 museums nationwide to hold that distinction, though there are an estimated 17,500 museums across the United States open to the public. Only 31 of the accredited museums are science museums.
“We’re pleased and proud to have the unsolicited accreditation extension,” said Doug King, president and CEO of the Science Center. “Having gone through the accreditation process several times, we understand what an honor it is to be accredited by the American Association of Museums.”
The accreditation process is a thorough, lengthy process, including a rigorous review from a Visiting Committee of Science Center peers and the AAM Accreditation Commission. Under review are the collections stewardship, facilities and risk management, institutional planning, mission and more.
Among the experts reviewing the museum was Bonnie Styles, Ph.D., AAM Accreditation Commission chair and director of the Illinois State Museum.
Styles singled out the museum’s innovative Youth Exploring Sciene (YES) program that works with 250 underserved teenagers throughout the course of their high school career, providing them with an inquiry learning environment that focuses on science, mathematics, and technology. It is directed by Diane Miller, vice president of Community Science Programs and Partnerships at the Saint Louis Science Center.
“The museum is a national leader in developing long-term programs for inner city youth which incorporate community partners,” Styles said of the YES program and othe routreach efforts. “We applaud the museum for its achievements.”
According to Styles, the Science Center’s accreditation extension is due, in part, to the continued high level of stewardship and management of its collections. Receiving the original accreditation signifies both quality and accountability in all aspects of the museum.
“The Saint Louis Science Center continues to show a commitment to excellence,” Styles said. “Setting high standards and continually working to improve, the museum remains in a prestigious group of museums in the U.S.”
