PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia has been selected as the national educational partner for GSK Science in the Summer™, a free summer program designed to engage children in science, technology, engineering and math at an early age.  In 2017, the program, which offers hands-on science courses throughout the summer to elementary students at schools, libraries, shelters, camps, Boys & Girls Clubs and homeschool groups, will expand to 26 national sites and is expected to reach approximately 25,000 students this summer across the country.

Established in Philadelphia 31 years ago by GSK, one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, GSK Science in the Summer quickly spread beyond Philadelphia to sites in North Carolina and Washington DC, impacting more than 160,000 students from all backgrounds and fostering a lifelong appreciation and passion for science.  Since 2012, The Franklin Institute has administered the GSK-sponsored program throughout the Greater Philadelphia area.  Following a formal RFP grant process, GSK chose The Franklin Institute, a global leader in science education, to launch a comprehensive nationwide implementation of GSK Science in the Summer.  The grant combines GSK's scientific expertise and longstanding support of the program with the exceptional, interactive and engaging STEM learning expertise that is synonymous with The Franklin Institute.   

"This is such an important partnership for us," said Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of The Franklin Institute.  "It presents us with an opportunity to foster, support, and now shine a national spotlight on an outstanding educational program established by GSK right here in Philadelphia,  it provides us another way in which we can extend our expertise beyond the museum, and above all, it allows us to further our mission of inspiring a passion for learning about science and technology—especially in students at such a vital time in their educational journey."

The Franklin Institute and GSK will host representatives from each of the 26 national sites for an orientation and training workshop in March. The Institute's educators will continue curriculum work and provide teacher professional development as part of ongoing support to the sites as they prepare to work with students this summer. This emerging GSK Science in the Summer national network will share a common commitment to providing enrichment experiences for students from underserved communities.

"GSK is very much looking forward to extending our relationship with The Franklin Institute to a national level," said Marti Skold-Jordan, Manager of Community Partnerships at GSK. "They have a unique and extraordinary heritage engaging students in the wonders of scientific discovery, and we know that will help broaden the reach and success of this special program." 

GSK Science in the Summer™ 2017 National Expansion Sites:

The program will also continue to be offered in Greater Philadelphia and North Carolina.

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. 

ABOUT GSK
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 company information visit: http://www.gsk.com.

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SOURCE The Franklin Institute