GSK Science in Summer–Success!
LANCASTER, PA AREA STUDENTS STEP INTO THE ROLE OF ATHLETIC TRAINERS, CARDIOLOGISTS, DIETITIANS, AND MORE WITH FREE SUMMER SCIENCE PROGRAM
GSK Science in the Summer™ Camps a Success in 2025. Over 7% more student participation compared to 2024.
Lancaster, PA. August 8 — 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 1,000 children in the Lancaster area joined thousands more GSK Science in the Summer™ students nationwide as they learned the importance of space science through fun, hands-on, age-appropriate experiments at local community organizations. That's an increase in student participation by over 7% when compared to 2024!
The 100% free STEM enrichment program offered students the unique opportunity to become real scientists and engineers, engaging in hands-on activities that, in 2025, brought the world of health science to life. They discovered different career paths, from athletic trainer to epidemiologist, solved real-life problems, and built critical thinking skills—all while asking big questions like, what affects our health? How can we prevent illness? How do we help people heal?
Supported by GSK and led by The Franklin Institute, the program was administered through: Lampeter-Strasburg SD, Lancaster Public Library, Manheim Township Parks, The Mix, and YMCA of the Roses. The 100% free STEM enrichment program, now in its 39th year, estimates a reach of 23,400 students across 450 organizations in under-resourced communities while it provided professional training to approximately 500 educators, helping them develop skills to provide high-quality informal STEM experiences for youth nationwide.
Through hands-on activities, students took on the roles of athletic trainers, cardiologists, dietitians, epidemiologists, and orthopedic doctors. They designed tools to unclog arteries, test beverages for vitamin C, track how illness spreads through communities, and more—all while practicing scientific skills like observation and hypothesis testing.
Each Be a Health Scientist! activity told a story that invited students to play the role of someone in that field.
Be an Athletic Trainer: Members of a sports team report various knee problems during training. Students tested the strength and mobility of their knee joints using models and chose appropriate training exercises for each player to improve their knee function.
Be a Cardiologist: A person with heart problems has been diagnosed with a blockage in one of their arteries. Students used a model to investigate how the blockage affects blood flow in the artery and then designed a tool to clear the blockage and improve the patient’s blood flow.
Be a Dietitian: A patient needs more Vitamin C in their diet but struggles to find ways to get it. Students tested the Vitamin C content of drinks to see which one(s) can help the patient the most.
Be an Epidemiologist: An illness is spreading through a school community, and it is the student’s job to find out what is going on. They used a model to explore how illnesses spread, locate the source, and suggest ways to prevent it from spreading further.
Be an Orthopedic Doctor: A hockey player has broken a tibia bone in their lower leg. Students designed and tested a solution for keeping the broken bone aligned and supported while it heals.
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.
Note to Editors/Press Kit: Be A Health Scientist! Images
North Museum of Nature and Science
Now in its 72nd year, the North Museum of Nature and Science impacts thousands of central Pennsylvania students and their families annually through its education initiatives in the Museum, in the community, and at home. Programs include field trips, early childhood education programs, summer camps, the Science and Engineering Fair for middle and high school students, and many other educational programs designed to create access to free and reduced-cost STEM learning opportunities, and strengthen the foundation of youth in the Lancaster community and beyond.
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. As 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 global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. For further information, please visit www.us.gsk.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Stefanie Santo, The Franklin Institute, 215.448.1152, ssanto@fi.edu
Kate Kanaby, GSK, 484.843.0993, kate.l.kanaby@gsk.com
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