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GSK Science in the Summer™ is a free, informal science summer program for youth 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 youth's interest and confidence in doing science and pursuing STEM careers, especially for youth in under-resourced communities
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.

Check out last year's theme, Be a Health Scientist! here.

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

PROGRAM BENEFITS

Accepted organizations are committing to a seven-month program cycle (February to September with programming from May-August) 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
Webinars for Program Leads including orientation, program kick-off, and reporting
Facilitation and curriculum content training for your STEM Specialists via two in-person trainings at The Franklin Institute
A stipend to support STEM Specialist training time, replenish materials as necessary, 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 or general admission vouchers for youth participating at libraries
Ongoing technical support from The Franklin Institute program team

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

Identify two staff from your organization who will serve as Program Leads and be responsible for materials management, ongoing communications with the program team, tracking attendance, reporting on deliverables, and ensuring your organization meets all program expectations
Identify a maximum of two educators per site who will be trained in-person by The Franklin Institute and be the designated STEM Specialists who deliver all of the curriculum at their site
Deliver 4 out of the 5 activities of free programming to the approved number of youth in grades 2-6, between June and August

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 31, 2026
have educator(s) who are able/willing to be trained as the STEM Specialists who will deliver the five-activity curriculum
are committed to bringing accessible programming to youth, especially for youth in under-resourced communities

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. Please review the steps below to submit your application to join Science in the Summer.

Step 1: Attend the Application Webinar on Wednesday, November 19, 2026 from 10:00am to 11:30am via Zoom. This webinar will be recorded and posted here for those who cannot attend live. You must be registered via the link to attend.

Step 2: Review program details and draft your answers to the application questions via the Program Information & Application 2026 PDF. 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.

To be considered for the program, please submit your application by Wednesday, December 3. We cannot guarantee a review of applications submitted after this date. 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.

Early November: Applications launch

Wed., November 19: Application webinar

Wed., December 3: Application deadline

QUESTIONS?

APPLY FOR SCIENCE IN THE SUMMER 2026

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

Learner participating in the Be an Orthopedic Doctor activity from the 2025 Be a Health Scientist! curriculum.

Three children with pipettes and liquids

Learners participating in the Be a Dietitian activity from the 2025 Be a Health Scientist! curriculum.