Science is a Slam Dunk with GSK Science in the Summer™

March 7, 2017 /3BL Media/ - Slam dunks, home runs and field goals all have the same thing in common, the thrill of science in motion. This summer, students in the Philadelphia area will explore the science behind their favorite sports when GSK Science in the Summer™ returns to local libraries for its 31^st year. GSK Science in the Summer™ is a free and fun science enrichment program for elementary students, sponsored by GSK and administered by The Franklin Institute. This year, the program will introduce a new course for the first time in more than a decade – the Science of Sports. Registration is limited and will begin online at www.scienceinthesummer.com this May.

“We are thrilled to bring this exciting learning opportunity back to children throughout Philadelphia this year with a brand-new curriculum developed in partnership with The Franklin Institute,” said Marti Skold-Jordan, Manager of Community Partnerships at GSK. “This program was born in Philadelphia three decades ago from GSK’s commitment to supporting STEM education, and every year since it has continued to grow and improve to remain fresh, engaging and relevant for children here and across the country.” 

Nearly 5,000 Philadelphia-area children will join thousands more GSK Science in the Summer™ students nationwide this summer as they learn how science is used as a tool to help athletes improve their performance. Behind every professional basketball player, gymnast, swimmer, and sprinter is a team of scientists who help athletes excel in their sport, from trainers, nutritionists and physical therapists to statisticians and equipment engineers. Students will learn about these scientists and tackle basic STEM[1] concepts through fun, hands-on activities like experimenting with healthy sports drink recipes and creating their own bouncy balls to test bounce height against other sports balls.

“Engaging students early on in STEM is how we foster the next generation of scientists and innovators,” said Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of The Franklin Institute. “We are proud to partner with GSK and 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 120 libraries in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. Participating libraries also receive children’s science book donations to further support continued learning in their communities.

“GSK Science in the Summer is one of the Free Library’s longest on-going partner programs,” said Elizabeth Kenny, Library Coordinator for GSK Science in the Summer™ at the Free Library of Philadelphia and GSK Science in the Summer™ program alumnus. “When I was a kid in the

GSK Science in the Summer program, I loved learning about science and doing the hands-on
experiments at my local library. I kept the workbook from the program for years, and I would pull it out every so often to do experiments at home. The four hours of GSK Science in the Summer truly inspired me to continue exploring the world of science for years afterwards.”

Parents and guardians of students entering second through sixth grades in the 2017-2018 school year will have the opportunity to register online for the program beginning in May 2017. Class dates, locations and times will be available in April 2017 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.

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Media Contact:

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

[1]Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics