ABSTRACT
In the early 1990s, a Consortium of science museums and public health institutions was formed to inform and influence the public about the science and health decisions regarding the growing HIV/AIDS pandemic. One of its most influential efforts was to create three copies of a traveling exhibition, “What About AIDS?” A three-year tour of the exhibition, facilitated by the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), reached 26 cities and millions of visitors. This essay, written retrospectively by several of the Consortium's members, explores how it was established, how its traveling exhibition was developed, how controversial issues were navigated, and what was the exhibition's impact on the host science museums and their visitors. We suggest that the experience of the Consortium may help to illuminate key issues for the Informal Science Learning (ISL) community, in preparing for and responding to society's future pandemics and other pressing public health needs. For example, in terms of dealing with sensitive and controversial issues, the Consortium found that collaboration with diverse community partners is essential. In terms of exhibit design, it found that both cognitive and affective goals are essential to promote behavioral goals relating to heath. In addition, social science research can inform ISL efforts to help people make wise health decisions. Finally, the ISL community needs to develop and maintain access to its shared collective memory.
