Free GSK Science in the Summer™ classes return to Philadelphia for the 30th year

When school is out, science is in! Online registration begins in May, space is limited.

Summer in Philadelphia means it’s time for Phillies baseball, vacation at the shore and, for the 30th year, GSK Science in the Summer™, a free science enrichment program for students entering second through sixth grades.
GSK Science in the Summer™ connects students from all backgrounds with free stimulating classes aimed at fostering a love of discovery and learning during the summer and throughout their lives. Across the Greater Philadelphia area,

GSK Science in the Summer™ courses are taught by certified teachers at local libraries using an experiment-based curriculum and exciting, hands-on activities that introduce core scientific principles to students at a young age while exposing them to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning.

Since first launching here in the Philadelphia area in 1986, GSK has brought GSK Science in the Summer™ courses to more than 150,000 elementary students in the Greater Philadelphia, North Carolina and Washington D.C./Baltimore areas. And this year, together with the American Association for the Advancement of Science and Association of Science and Technology Centers, GSK Science in the Summer™ will reach an additional 8,000 students at 20 sites across the nation from Arizona to Maine.

“We are thrilled to celebrate thirty successful years of partnering with community-based organizations to bring free science education to students,” said Marti Skold-Jordan, manager of Community Partnerships at GSK. “By expanding the program across the nation, we hope to engage even more children and inspire them to pursue STEM learning as an academic path now, and a possible career path later.”

The GSK Science in the Summer™ program in Philadelphia is administered by The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia’s world-renowned and innovative leader in the field of science and technology learning, and hosted in partnership with nearly 120 local libraries in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

“Instilling a passion for science and technology early on is so critical for developing the next generation of STEM-focused citizens who will directly contribute to our society,” said Dr. Frederic Bertley, Senior Vice President of Science and Education at The Franklin Institute. “The longstanding history of the GSK Science in the Summer program is proof positive of its effectiveness at making science engaging and accessible to countless students in the Philadelphia region and beyond.” Bertley continued, “The Franklin Institute is extremely proud to be involved in this successful thirty year program, and look forward to continuing this wonderful partnership.”

This year, Greater Philadelphia students entering second through sixth grades will have the opportunity to take a free course at libraries throughout the area in Chemistry (Bucks), Genetics(Chester), Oceanography (Delaware), Physical Science (Montgomery) or Bioscience (Philadelphia).

"We're excited to bring GSK Science in the Summer back to our libraries again this summer," said Margie Stern, director of Indian Valley Public Library and former youth services coordinator for Delaware County Libraries. "I've worked with this program for more than 20 years and I love visiting the classes and seeing the excitement on children's faces. In today’s digital world, it’s exciting and relevant programs like this that help us re-engage people with libraries and the wealth of resources we offer."

Students must be pre-registered to attend. Parents must register online at www.scienceinthesummer.com. Registration begins in May and dates vary by county. Visit www.scienceinthesummer.com for course locations, dates, times and to register. Space is limited and registrations will be processed in the order they are received.

About The Franklin Institute – Located in the heart of Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute is a renowned and innovative leader in the field of science and technology learning, as well as a dynamic center of activity. Pennsylvania’s most visited museum, it is dedicated to creating a passion for learning about science by offering access to hands-on science education. For more information, visit www.fi.edu.

GSK – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information, go to us.gsk.com, follow us on twitter.com/GSKUS, or visit our blog (www.morethanmedicine.us.gsk.com/blog/).

For more information on GSK’s global STEM education program, visit gskscienceeducation.com.

Media Contact:
Christine Killion, Harris, Baio & McCullough, 610-223-6899, christine@hbmadv.com
Marti Skold Jordan, Manager US Community Partnerships, 919-328-0507