A roadmap to elevating science education
As a national membership association, we provide knowledge, representation, support, connections, and services for our members. We raise professional standards, advocate for informal science engagement, and inform policy on behalf of the broader science engagement sector.
Our Strategic Approaches
The CASC network advances social change by being a supporter, connector, and champion for our members, extending the reach and strengthening the impact of their work.
Our 2024-2026 strategic plan reaffirms our beliefs, our core values and our strategic focus areas that will contribute to a thriving science and innovation culture of engaged citizens across Canada.
Our Approach is as follows:
Being a Supporter
Strengthen members & their capacity
- Provide professional development opportunities that help our members reach their full potential and help them advance their impact.
- Support research that will benefit members.
- Support all sizes and types of science engagement organizations
- Respect member perspectives and engage with priorities that matter to members.
Being a Connector
Ecosystem building and strategic partnerships to connect STEM & society
- Establishing CASC as ‘go to’ network for public knowledge mobilization within the national research ecosystem.
- Provide enjoyable online and offline opportunities for connection among our network, community groups, and other disciplines and sectors.
- Facilitate communities of practice for members to share, inspire each other, and cooperate on impactful topics.
Being a Champion
Represent Canadian public STEM engagement sector
- Build national initiatives that work towards systems change
- Biggest fan and supporter of our members, amplifying their work on a national stage and showcasing how the network is making a positive difference.
- Foster solidarity among members of our network and across the broader public engagement sector.
CASC will honour our core beliefs and values while pursuing our strategic goals. Check out our 2024-2026 strategic plan for details.
Our strategic plan
This strategy is an opportunity to reaffirm our core values and put trust in our strengths as a Canadian community of science engagement organisations. Our members play an essential role in cultivating a joy of learning and enriching the lives of people across Canada, and this strategy sets out how we can best meet these responsibilities.
Previous strategic plans
Diversity, inclusion, equity & accessibility (DIEA)
The Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) is committed to breaking down barriers and strengthening DIEA within the informal science learning and public engagement sector.
DIEA defined
The definitions CASC uses for the words diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility (DIEA).
Diversity
The variety of unique dimensions, qualities and characteristics each individual possesses.
Inclusion
Creating a culture that strives for equity and accepts, embraces, respects and values differences of a collective.
Equity
Fair treatment of everyone and ensuring all have equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of society and its benefits.
Accessibility
A measure of how simply a person can participate in an activity.
Our DIEA commitment
From 2016 through 2021 CASC actively sought opportunities to challenge our operations and offerings in the areas of:
Truth and Reconciliation
Implement actions to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada recommendations by working to transform existing relationships to emphasize open dialogue, mutual understanding and respectful collaborations.
Gender in STEM
Combat gender (identity & expression) barriers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by deepening learning and empowering collective action.
Combating Systemic Racism
Educate and build awareness of racism, anti-Black racism and anti-Blackness within our sector, STEM and throughout systems across society.
Inclusive and Accessible Events
Deliver an inclusive & equitable event and conference experience that reflects a diversity of perspectives and identities from across our sector and country.
Leadership and DIEA
Increase representation of diverse talent while strengthening leadership and critical roles with development programs.