By Carlos Plaza
From ASTC Dimensions
July/August 2009

Over the course of 10 years, the exhibit team at the Miami Science Museum, Florida, has developed general guidelines and strategies for writing and designing bilingual exhibitions. These guidelines result from our experience producing Spanish-language interpretation for more than 40 bilingual exhibitions, and from much trial and error. Although these guidelines refer to English/Spanish interpretation, the principles can be applied to bilingual exhibitions in other languages.

There is certainly more to be learned, but let’s look at some of the basic issues. Following these strategies can lead to a more accessible and rewarding experience for all visitors.
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IN THIS ISSUE
May/June 2009

In a rapidly changing world, science centers must be agile and ready to innovate even in the most challenging times. In fact, demanding circumstances can be the catalysts that inspire centers to serve their communities in new ways while preserving a consistent vision. In this issue, we look at instances in which science centers have responded quickly to challenging situations, including economic difficulties and natural disasters.

Contents
• Agility and the Rapid Pace of Change, by Nancy Stueber
• Creating Our Future, by John Swanson
• Outreach that Empowers, by Megan Dickerson
• Discounted Prices, Increased Attendance, by Kristin Priscella
• What’s the Buzz? Bringing Breaking News into the Science Museum, by Liza Pryor
• Managing Organizational Change, by Chris Wallace, Joe Hastings, Marcelo Knobel, and David E. Chesebrough
• The Balancing Act Between Focus and Flexibility, by Jennifer Martin

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By John Swanson
From ASTC Dimensions
May/June 2009

The National Weather Service said, “We anticipate flood cresting at 24 1/2 feet.” That’s what was going through my head as I studied the flood wall, built for a 24-foot crest, and the Cedar River beyond. That flood wall stood just 50 feet from the back wall of the Cedar Rapids Science Station in Iowa. It was 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2008. We had spent the day moving servers, tools, and the more valued exhibits out of our two basements. I knew our ground floor was at about the same level as the flood wall, so I thought, “The worst will be two flooded basements and maybe some water on the first floor.” Almost as an afterthought, I told everyone to move their computers to the tops of their desks.
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IN THIS ISSUE
March/April 2009

The Toronto Declaration, adopted in June 2008 by the Fifth Science Centre World Congress, established public health as a priority for science centers, citing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals for child and maternal health and disease prevention. In this issue, we explore the efforts of science centers worldwide to improve health in their communities, through exhibitions, outreach programs, partnerships, and even food service operations.

Contents
• Active Learning, Healthy Living, by Ruth Lynfield
• Taking on Obesity in the Deep South, by Eleanor Kulin
• Creating a Smart Café, by Bob Levine
• What’s the Big Deal? An Exhibition Navigates France’s Changing Sexuality Landscape, by Maud Gouy
• North Star Guides the Way, by Chris Cable and SaVina Sandoval Haywood
• Health Messages at Science Centers in South Africa: What Is Possible? by Lorenzo Raynard
• Rising to the Challenge: Public Health in Latin American Science Centers, by Alejandra León-Castellá, Alcira García-Vassaux, José Ángel Andrade, Luisa Massarani, Martha Cambre, and Maria Cristina Ruiz (PDF available here)
• Inspiring, Engaging, and Involving: Multiple Paths to Good Health, by Gloria German
Partners for Health, by Rick Baker
• Reaching out to the Vulnerable, by Leticia Chávez Martínez and Dolores Arenas Venegas
• The Evolving Threat of Infectious Disease, by Erika Shugart

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By Ruth Lynfield
From ASTC Dimensions
March/April 2009

It is appropriate that the March/April 2009 issue of ASTC Dimensions focuses on public health. April 7 is World Health Day, a day meant to raise the awareness of global health issues, and one that commemorates the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948. As an epidemiologist who is immersed in the work of public health daily, I view the term “public health” as the endeavor to ensure the good health of people and their communities by the prevention of disease and the promotion of healthy behaviors. This effort relies upon the cooperative work of scientists and health care providers to detect, describe, and measure issues of health consequence. Public health also requires the collaborative efforts of these specialists with policy makers and educators to translate data into sustained improvements for people and communities.
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