GlaxoSmithKline’s Science in the Summer Inspires Students to Embrace Science - Free Classes Begin at Local Libraries

PHILADELPHIA –– This week, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) — in partnership with The Franklin Institute and area libraries — is kicking off its 2013 season of GlaxoSmithKline’s Science in the Summer (www.scienceinthesummer.com), a free, educational program that gets elementary school children excited about science through fun, hands-on activities and experiments. Now in its 27th year, GSK’s Science in the Summer is inspiring a new generation of students to embrace science.

According to Kevin Fomalont, a Fulbright Scholar studying at the Institute of Experimental Medicine in St. Petersburg, Russia and GSK’s Science in the Summer alumnus: “[GSK’s] Science in the Summer gave me the chance to explore science in a social and fun environment that allowed for personal creativity. This program was the beginning of my path to higher science education.” Fomalont currently holds three Bachelor’s degrees in Russian, psychology and natural science from Penn State, University Park, Penn. and a Master’s degree in neuroscience from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and is pursuing his Ph.D. at the Institute of Experimental Medicine.

“This year’s program will continue to provide children with opportunities to experience the wonders of science at an age-appropriate level,” says Mary Linda Andrews, Director, Community Partnerships, GSK. “Our goal is for students to develop a deeper, long-lasting interest in science.” 

Offered throughout the five county Greater Philadelphia area, GSK’s Science in the Summer classes begin on June 22 and run through the first week of August. Courses and times vary by county.  They include: Simple Machines (Bucks County), Physical Science and Electricity (Chester County), Bioscience (Delaware County), Genetics (Montgomery County) and Chemistry (Philadelphia County). GSK also offers the program to students in North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Pa., and the Metropolitan Washington/Baltimore area.

According to an article in American Biology Teacher magazine: “In a time when electronic devices dominate students' free time, students often stop learning in the summer and instead focus on sedentary indoor activities, like video games and television programs. Sociologists have documented that, for some students, summers result in little learning and contribute to an achievement gap.”1

However, “outside-of-school or ‘informal’ Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education learning environments … can ‘make’ science accessible, meaningful, and relevant for diverse students by connecting their home and community cultures to science.”2 Other studies show that “Students who attend summer programs have better outcomes than their peers who do not attend these programs.”3

Since its inception, almost 116,000 students from the Greater Philadelphia area have participated in GSK’s Science in the Summer.  This year, approximately 4,900 elementary school students will attend classes scheduled at participating libraries in the five-county region.  In addition to supporting the classes at local libraries, GlaxoSmithKline also provides an annual grant to each participating library to purchase science books as part of GSK’s Science in the Summer program.

GSK Science in the Summer classes are available at libraries throughout the Greater Philadelphia Area, including:

Upper Moreland Free Library, 109 Park Ave., Willow Grove, PA 19090; Course Dates: July 22-25.

For more information about GSK’s Science in the Summer program, please visit www.scienceinthesummer.com or your local library.

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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/).  

About The Franklin Institute – Founded in honor of America’s first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, 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. It is dedicated to creating a passion for science by offering new and exciting access to science and technology in ways that would dazzle and delight its namesake. For more information, please visit www.fi.edu. 

Citations:

1 Rozelle, Jeffrey J., and Ann Haley MacKenzie. 2011. "Biology Experiences in the Summer: Keeping the Faucet Flowing for All Students." American Biology Teacher (University Of California Press) 73, no. 8: 449-452.

2 Ferrini-Mundy, Joan. 2013. "Driven by Diversity." Science 340, no. 6130: 278.

3 Kirkland, Lynn, and Maryann Manning. 2012. "Making Summer Count: How Summer Programs Can Boost Children's Learning." Childhood Education 88, no. 2: 140.

Editor’s Note: Teacher, student and sponsor spokespersons are available for interviews. A three-minute video on the program is also available for download (Preview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ7_fZheUgY). Please contact Camille Dager at 215-440-9800 or Camille@hbmadv.com for contacts and/or downloads.