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GSK Science in the Summer™ is a free, informal science summer program
for youth entering grades 2 to 6.
Supported by GSK and offered in collaboration with The Franklin Institute, the goals of Science in the Summer are:
To increase youth interest and confidence in doing science and pursuing STEM careers, especially for youth in under-resourced communities
To build educator confidence and skills to facilitate high-quality informal STEM experiences for youth
To build organization capacity to provide high-quality STEM programming
The Franklin Institute supports organizations to fold the program into their existing structures.
Check out last summer's curriculum here!
Learners participating in the Be a Water Chemist activity from the 2026 Be a Chemist! curriculum.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Accepted organizations commit to an eight-month program cycle (February to September with programming from May to August) and receive the following benefits:
Science in the Summer STEM curriculum and materials to deliver all five program activities
In-person training for educators at The Franklin Institute
Stipend to help support program implementation and field trip transportation costs
A free visit to The Franklin Institute
Ongoing program support from The Franklin Institute team
PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS
Accepted organizations will:
Identify two (2) staff to act as Program Leads, responsible for overseeing program implementation and ensuring your organization meets all program expectations
Identify a maximum of two (2) educators per site to act as STEM Specialists, who will be trained by TFI to deliver all SIS programming
Deliver at minimum 4 of the 5 program activities for free to the approved number of youth in grades 2 to 6, between May and August
WHO SHOULD APPLY
Organizations that:
Are located in the city of Camden, NJ or the following PA counties: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia
Offer programming for youth entering grades 2 to 6 during the summer
Have educator(s) who will be trained as STEM Specialists and deliver the curriculum to youth
Are committed to bringing programming to youth, especially youth in under-resourced communities
Examples of eligible organizations include community-based organizations (CBOs), out-of-school-time providers (OSTs), after school providers (ASPs) that offer summer programming, low-cost or free summer camps, day cares/early childhood service providers, and public school summer programs.
HOW TO APPLY
Complete the following steps to submit your GSK Science in the Summer™ application.
Step 1: Register for and attend the Application Webinar on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 from 10:00am to 11:30am on Zoom. This webinar will be recorded and posted on the website for those who cannot attend live. Register here to attend.
Step 2: Use the Program Information and Application Prep Sheet to draft your answers to the application questions. This is just a draft for your use. Your final application must be submitted via the “APPLY” button below.
Step 3: Click the “APPLY” button to begin your online application! If you have a Google account, you will be able to save your progress and return to the application at a later time.
Applications are due by November 20th. We cannot guarantee review of applications submitted after this date. Applicants will be notified of decisions by email in mid-December. Check your spam folder and add scienceinthesummer@fi.edu to your “Friend” or “Safe Sender” list.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
October: Applications launch
November 4: Application webinar (register above)
November 20: Application deadline
Mid-December: Acceptances begin
QUESTIONS?
TESTIMONIALS
Honestly, when my executive director asked me in 2016, are you sure science is your jam? My answer would have been, I don't know. I guess I’ll find out. And now it's like, yes, absolutely. Science is my super duper jam. Just tell me what you want me to teach and give me a couple of days so I can kind of figure out how I'm going to teach it and I'm good to go. It made me fearless.
– 2026 Partner
I wish all of the organizations that I worked with operate the way that [GSK] Science in the Summer™ does. The amount of communication and the accessibility to support from The Franklin [Institute] was and is just immense and immensely helpful. The outline, the structure of the program, the high level of communication. I never felt alone or abandoned or left to the wind. I never had to figure anything out on my own. There was always a resource or a person that was available when I had questions.
– 2023 Partner
"It allows the opportunity to work with different organizations that might not have the funds to bring us in to offer STEAM programming. It allows us to get more of a statewide presence when we are able to offer it to different communities throughout the state. So, it definitely helps in the overall exposure there."
– 2025 Partner
Learners participating in the Be a Forensic Chemist activity from the 2026 Be a Chemist! curriculum.