GSK Science in the Summer™, a free summer STEM program that aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, returns to the Las Cruces Museum of Nature & Science this summer with Be a Chemist! This all-new curriculum invites 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 provides 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 Las Cruces Museum of Nature & Science since 2018 this fun, 100% free STEM enrichment program helps prevent the summer slide and keeps 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 1,000 area children will join thousands more GSK Science in the Summer™ students nationwide as they learn 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.”
GSK Science in the Summer™ programs are facilitated by experienced educators at out-of-school-time program sites in Doña Ana County. Visit scienceinthesummer.fi.edu to learn more about the national program and site locations.
For more information on program sites and registration for camps administered by the Museum of Nature & Science please contact the museum directly at (575) 522-3120, or connect online via Facebook @LCMuseums.
The Museum of Nature & Science is located at 411 N. Main Street and is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The museum is accessible from RoadRUNNER Transit Route 1 Stop 2. For additional information, visit the website at: http://las-cruces.org/museums or call (575) 522-3120.
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
Stephanie Hawkins, Museum of Nature & Science, 575.532.3372, shawkins@las-cruces.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).