Free STEM enrichment program was offered virtually during the summer months
ST. LOUIS, MO – September 16, 2020 – ST. LOUIS, SEPT. 16, 2020 – GSK Science in the Summer™, a free summer STEM program that aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, was offered virtually this summer, with 380 STEM kits being distributed by the Saint Louis Science Center through AB Academy, Girls Inc., the Julia David Branch of the St. Louis Public Library and the St. Louis County Library. This summer’s program was themed Be a Chemist! This all-new curriculum invited children to play the role of chemists by practicing real scientific techniques and exploring basic principles of chemistry—including being water chemists who clean a polluted river and being materials chemists who design a new slime toy. The program provided opportunities for students to embody science careers, think scientifically, and have fun.
Provided by GSK in partnership with Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute, and administered through the Science Center since 2016. This fun, 100% free STEM enrichment program was aimed at helping to prevent summer slide and keep students engaged with learning, through fun, hands-on activities that will help ignite a lifelong passion for science. The program reaches more than 23,000 students at 26 organizations across the country* each year.
“We hope that GSK Science in the Summer™ classes continue to inspire more children to put on their goggles and explore the wonders of science. Our goal is to encourage students, particularly those from populations underrepresented in the scientific community, to pursue STEM career paths later in life,” said Becki Lynch, Director, US Community Partnerships at GSK.
GSK Science in the Summer™ was created more than 30 years ago in Philadelphia as part of GSK’s commitment to supporting STEM education. Each year, it has continued to grow and improve to remain fresh, engaging and relevant for children across the country. This summer, nearly 400 St. Louis-area children joined thousands more GSK Science in the Summer™ students nationwide as they learned the importance of chemistry in fields as varied as medicine, manufacturing, art, and environmental conservation through fun, hands-on, age-appropriate experiments.
“Engaging students early on in STEM is critical to fostering the next generation of scientists and innovators, and one of the best ways we can prepare students for lifelong success,” said Dr. Darryl Williams, Senior Vice President of Science and Education at The Franklin Institute. “We are proud to partner with GSK to make STEM learning accessible and engaging for students across the country.”
Saint Louis Science Center
The mission of the Saint Louis Science Center is to ignite and sustain lifelong science and technology learning. Named a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate in 2016, the Saint Louis Science Center features more than 700 interactive exhibits, as well as a five-story OMNIMAX® Theater, Boeing Hall and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium. For more information about the Saint Louis Science Center, please visit slsc.org.
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
GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer..
For further information, go to us.gsk.com and follow us on twitter.com/GSKUS.
Media Contact:
Stefanie Santo, The Franklin Institute 215.448.1152, ssanto@fi.edu
Evan Berland, GSK, 215.751.5497, evan.a.berland@gsk.com
Mindy Peirce, Saint Louis Science Center, mindy.peirce@slsc.org
*The GSK Science in the Summer™ national network is sponsored by GSK and offered in partnership with The Franklin Institute (reaching 13,000 children in 24 locations across the county and 5,000 children in the Greater Philadelphia Area). UNC Morehead Planetarium and Science Center offers GSK Science in the Summer™ in North Carolina in partnership with GSK (reaching 5,000 children in 10 counties across the state).
