Summer Will Be Out of This World for Philly-Area Students with GSK Science in the Summer™ & the Science of Space
Issued: Philadelphia
Free STEM program returns to local libraries this summer for the 32nd year. Online registration begins in May 2018.
While stargazers look to the skies during tomorrow’s rare supermoon, blue moon, and lunar eclipse, Philadelphia-area teachers and libraries will start getting ready to bring the stars to students thanks to GSK and The Franklin Institute. Both organizations are pleased to announce that GSK Science in the Summer™, the free STEM enrichment program for elementary students, will return to local libraries for its 32nd year with the Science of Space. Through this fun, interactive course, students from second through sixth grades will explore the sun, the moon, the stars, space travel, and more. Registration is limited and will begin online at www.scienceinthesummer.com this May.
“The study of space has fascinated people for thousands of years, and every day, science gives us new knowledge about the planets beyond ours,” said Marti Skold-Jordan, Manager of Community Partnerships at GSK. “By bringing the Science of Space to elementary school children, we’re showing them at an early age that, through knowledge, education and hard work, these worlds are attainable – all while inspiring them to the pursue the STEM skills that will prepare them for successful academic and professional lives as they get older.”
GSK Science in the Summer™ was created in Philadelphia three decades ago as part of GSK’s commitment to supporting STEM education. Each year, it has continued to grow and improve to remain fresh, engaging and relevant for children in Philadelphia and across the country. This summer, nearly 5,000 Philadelphia-area children will join thousands more GSK Science in the Summer™ students nationwide as they learn about the sun and the stars, Earth’s moon, and space travel through fun, hands-on, age-appropriate experiments with sun prints, rockets, the phases of the moon, and more.
“Employment in STEM occupations has grown much faster than employment in non-STEM occupations over the past decade, and STEM workers command higher wages,” said Dr. Karen Elinich, Director of Science Content & Leaning Technologies for The Franklin Institute. “These trends are projected to continue for the foreseeable future, creating enormous opportunities for today’s school-aged children. Engaging students early on in STEM is how we foster the next generation of scientists and innovators, and how we prepare students for lifelong success. We are proud to partner with GSK to make STEM learning accessible and enjoyable for students in the Philadelphia region and beyond.”
GSK Science in the Summer™ classes in the Philadelphia area are taught by certified, local teachers at libraries in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. Participating libraries will also receive children’s science book donations to further support continued learning in their communities.
Parents and guardians of students entering second through sixth grades in the 2018-2019 school year will have the opportunity to register online for the program beginning in May 2018. Class dates, locations and times will be available in April 2018 at www.scienceinthesummer.com. 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 more company information, go to us.gsk.com and follow us on twitter.com/GSKUS.
For more information on GSK’s global STEM education program, visit gskscienceeducation.com.
Media Contacts
Megan Kelly
Harris, Baio & McCullough
484-347-0224
megan@hbmadv.com
Marti Skold Jordan
GSK US Community Partnerships
919-328-0507
Stefanie Santo
The Franklin Institute
215-448-1152
