Exploration Place Educates 515 Students Through Free Science in the Summer Program
August 2, 2022
WICHITA, Kansas — Exploration Place has partnered with the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia for a sixth year to offer the free GSK Science in the Summer™ program. Altogether, 515 students in grades 2 – 6 explored science careers and practiced real science techniques.
Exploration Place educators spent the summer visiting 17 schools, libraries and community centers across the state with the aim of inspiring the next generation of scientists, surpassing the museum’s goal of teaching 400 kids. Four sites were Boys and Girls Clubs, and the program expanded into western Kansas for the first time.
The 2022 theme was Be a Biologist! Children tackled real-world problems such as solving a mystery at a troubled fishery, uncovering ancient fossils, planning the perfect plant habitats and lending a hand to threatened hummingbirds. The program is supported by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in partnership with Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute. This year, the program is expected to reach more than 30,000 students at 40 host organizations across the United States.
“Scientists are encountering problems today that we never thought we would face, which is why it is critical to foster interest in science as early as possible,” said Maya Martinez-Davis, President, US Pharmaceuticals at GSK.
Exploration Place, the largest science center in the state, has seen extraordinary growth in demand for its STEM education programming in recent years.
“The kids we serve are the STEM workforce pipeline for the future,” said Adam Smith, Exploration Place president and CEO. “This program removes barriers so that all children can take advantage of their natural curiosity in a fun and encouraging environment.”
Contact
Laura Roddy, Chief Advancement Officer
316-660-0602
About Exploration Place
The mission of Exploration Place, Kansas’ premier science center, is to inspire a deeper interest in science and technology through creative and fun experiences for all. Exploration Place is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and through 8 p.m. on Thursday evenings.
