News

Worcester, MA – September 12, 2025 – GSK Science in the Summer™, a free science program for students in grades 2 through 6, returned in 2025 with a new theme: Be a Health Scientist!

This summer, nearly 850 children between Springfield and Boston joined thousands more GSK Science in the Summer™ students nationwide and learned the importance of health science through fun, hands-on, age appropriate experiments at local community organizations.

Supported by GSK, led by The Franklin Institute and administered through the EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature, this 100% free STEM enrichment program 

offered students the unique opportunity to become real scientists and engineers, engaging in hands-on activities that brought the world of health science to life. They designed tools to unclog arteries, tested beverages for vitamin C, and more—all while practicing scientific skills like observation and hypothesis testing. And each Be a Health Scientist activities told a story that invited students to play the role of someone in that field.

GSK Science in the Summer™ was created in Philadelphia as part of GSK’s commitment to supporting accessible STEM education, and the program has reached more than 400,000 children across the US since its launch. 

“By bringing scientific concepts to life through fun, hands-on learning opportunities, GSK Science in the Summer™ gives students tangible examples of the types of STEM career paths they can pursue in their future,” said Maya Martinez-Davis, President, US at GSK. “We see the power of science in action every day at GSK, and we’re proud to help inspire the next generation of scientists through this program.”

“GSK Science in the Summer™ aims to increase youth interest and confidence in doing science and pursuing STEM careers, especially those in under-resourced communities,” said Dr. Darryl Williams, Senior Vice President of Science, Education, and HR at The Franklin Institute. “The Franklin Institute recognizes that when youth have high-quality, positive STEM experiences outside of the school setting with educators with whom they closely identify, it increases their positive STEM identity and allows them to see themselves as belonging in science, and year after year, this program excels at doing that.”

The Franklin Institute develops the GSK Science in the Summer™ curriculum, freely available at scienceinthesummer.fi.edu. The EcoTarium looks forward to continuing to work with GSK Science in the Summer™ in the future, starting with next year’s Be a Chemist theme!