A new article from The Hechinger Report (June 22, 2025) discusses museum programs aimed at interesting young people in scientific research, in particular the American Museum of Natural History's Science Research Mentoring program — and NCSE Executive Director Amanda L. Townley was consulted for comment.
"SRMP, started in 2009, is operating at a time when the federal government is eliminating fellowships and other support for early career scientists, and defunding scientific research broadly," the article explained. "That both amplifies the need for, and complicates the work of, programs like this one."
"Museums, university extensions, sometimes libraries, have really done this tremendous job of creating spaces for high school and younger students to engage with scientists doing science," Townley commented. She warned, however, "Those museums, libraries and universities are all under attack. ... We're going to see a generational impact."
