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GSK Science in the Summer™ is a free, informal science summer program for children entering grades 2-6. 

Supported by GSK and offered in collaboration with The Franklin Institute, the goals of Science in the Summer are:

  • To increase children's interest and confidence in doing science and pursuing STEM careers, especially for children from backgrounds currently underrepresented in STEM fields. 
  • To build educators’ confidence and skills to facilitate high-quality informal STEM experiences for youth. 

  • To build organizations’ capacity to provide high-quality STEM programming. 

The Franklin Institute will support your organization to fold the program into your existing structure and increase your educators’ confidence and skills to lead high-quality STEM programming. 

Join our Philadelphia-area network! Eligible organizations are invited to apply now to participate in GSK Science in the Summer™.
 

PROGRAM BENEFITS

Accepted organizations are committing to a five-month program cycle (April to September) and will receive the following benefits for joining the program, including but not limited to:

  • High-quality STEM curriculum and materials for five program activities, including kits of materials, educator guides, lab notebooks, and sticker sheets for youth in grades 2 - 6
  • Professional development and curriculum training for your staff via an in-person training at The Franklin Institute or virtual, asynchronous trainings 
  • A stipend for replenishing materials as necessary and to support field trip transportation costs (if applicable), and other program-related expenses
  • A field trip to The Franklin Institute, including free general admission for program youth and adult chaperones
  • Ongoing technical support from The Franklin Institute program team


WHO SHOULD APPLY: 

The Franklin Institute is accepting applications from Philadelphia-area organizations that meet the below requirements: 

  • 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 – 6 between the months of June 1 – August 30, 2025
  • have educators who are able/willing to be trained to deliver the five-activity curriculum
  • are committed to bringing accessible programs to youth from backgrounds currently underrepresented in STEM including

Examples of organizations that may apply include community-based organizations (CBOs), out-of-school-time providers (OSTs), after school providers (ASPs) that have summer programming, low-cost or free summer camps, day cares/early childhood service providers, and public-school summer programs.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Submissions are due via the online application linked below and will be accepted until the program reaches capacity. Please review the steps below to submit your application to join GSK Science in the Summer™. 

 

Step 1: Watch the Application Webinar from Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Recording | Slides

Step 2: Use the PDF version of the application for program details and to draft answers to the application questions. Please note, this is just a draft for your use. Official applications must be submitted via the link below.

Step 3: Begin the application through the “Apply” button below. If you have a Google account, you will be able to save progress and return to the application at a later time. 

Organizations will be accepted beginning in March on a rolling basis until the program reaches capacity. All applicants will be notified of decisions by email. Please check your spam folder and add scienceinthesummer@fi.edu to your “Friend” or “Safe Sender” list. 

Questions? Contact us at scienceinthesummer@fi.edu for more information.

 

APPLY FOR SCIENCE IN THE SUMMER 2025

 

Testimonials

The GSK Science in the Summer™ program allowed us to increase our summer engagement, I mean, a million times over. The curriculum that was provided was very accessible both for the students, but also for the educators that were facilitating the activities with the kids. And so, it really helped empower our counselors, our instructors, and our partners who were facilitating the program at their sites.
 – 2023 Partner

Once before it was unimaginable that I could lead and conduct something of this nature.  Now, it's almost second nature, using what I learned in SIS in things outside of that and using what I learn outside of it and applying it in SIS. – 2024 Participant

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 

Planetary play doh

Learner participating in the Be a Planetary Geologist activity from the 2024 Be a Space Scientist! curriculum. 

 

Astrobiologist

Learners participating in the Be an Astrobiologist activity from the 2024 Be a Space Scientist! curriculum.