Science = Summer Fun
By Margie, Youth Services, Delaware County PA Library System
We're not sure who is more excited about GSK's Science in the Summer--parents, children, teachers, or librarians!
For the past 19 years, the Delaware County Library System in Pennsylvania has hosted GSK's Science in the Summer, free hands-on science education for elementary school students, and it is by far the most popular program offered during the summer months in our libraries. This summer, we're offering Physical Science/Electricity at 24 of our 28 library locations.
Preparation began months ago so that everything would be in place when school ended--and kids start flocking to the libraries. New for us this year is the partnership with The Franklin Institute which is administering the program in the Greater Philadelphia area. The coordinators from Philadelphia and the surrounding counties and teachers met at The Franklin Institute. We even had a chance for some hands-on science as we balanced random objects. I am excited about the science education expertise that The Franklin Institute bringing to the program.
We received all kinds of equipment for the program--boxes upon boxes of batteries, magnets, compasses, electrical circuit kits and Van deGraff machines (generators). The equipment for each of the various courses--Oceanography, Chemistry, Bioscience, Genetics, Simple Machines, and Physical Science/Electricity--is shared among the counties. This is equipment that many of the children don't have in their schools. We also received other supplies, including, most importantly, safety goggles for each child. The children don't work with anything dangerous during the course, but the lesson of safety first is key.
The teachers--did I mention the highly-qualified teachers who lead the children through hands-on, scientific query based experiments and activities? They received their assignments, equipment and training in advance so that they are ready to go on Day One. Children participate in one hands-on activity after another--questions, observations, predictions. Dare I say, the electricity is palpable!
I ask again, who is more excited for GSK's Science in the Summer?
Note: GSK started Science in the Summer 26 years ago, and it is also offered in North Carolina, Pittsburgh, PA, and Metropolitan Washington, DC/Baltimore, in addition to the Greater Philadelphia area.
About GlaxoSmithKline – 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 further information go to us.gsk.com, follow us on twitter.com/GSKUS or visit our blog (www.morethanmedicine.us.gsk.com/blog/).
