Recent Happenings
The Franklin’s Star Wars exhibit ended its run with a special “May the Fourth Be With You” finale. Members of the 501st Garrison Carida and Rebel Legion were on hand, as they gracefully handed over control of the museum to its newest adventure – the upcoming Real Pirates exhibit, which opens May 31.
On March 21st guest lecturer, Dr. Michio Kaku, prominent physicist and author of, Physics of the Impossible, provided fascinating insight into the science of the impossible in front of a packed audience at Franklin Theater.
Spring Training Day 2008
As the primary season reaches fever pitch in Pennsylvania, the Franklin Institute and the organizers of Science Debate 2008 announce a national broadcast partnership to televise the event, and other information.
Debate Rationale
Media Advisory
Download a podcast of the event here
Stream the event here
The Franklin, opened the newly refurbished, state of the art Franklin Theater Friday evening, February 29th with a screening of U2 3D.
Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination Opening Day Photos at The Franklin!
The Force is Out in Force in Philadelphia!
The Franklin gets ready for the opening of Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination
Flanked by friends from the Garrison Carida of the 501st Legion, President and CEO of The Franklin, Dr. Dennis Wint gets ready for the opening of “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination,” this Saturday, February 9th.
The Franklin Institute Celebrates the Season!
On December 1, The Franklin Institute ushered in the holiday season with a performance by the Philadelphia Boys Choir. Visitors enjoyed ice cream frozen right before their eyes by liquid nitrogen, and discovered the science behind snowflakes while creating one of their own. Children added their wish to the Holiday Wish Chain and gazed through special glasses at the Holiday Light Tour throughout the building. Holiday Events included the premier of The Polar Express on Friday, December 7, a choir performance by Waldorf School of Philadelphia on December 8, and a visit from The Spiderwick Chronicles trailer on December 15. For more information on Holiday Events at The Franklin, click here.
Identical Twins: A Memoir of Twins Separated and Reunited
On Thursday, November 29, authors and twins who were sPaula Bernstein and Elyse Schein shared their amazing story. As twins separated at birth for adoption, Paula and Elyse did nto discover they were twins until more than 30 years later. They read from their book, Identical Strangers: A Memoir of Twins Separated and Reunited, and signed copies afterwards.
Identity: An Exhibition of You
IDENTITY: An Exhibition of You is on view at The Franklin Institute November 16, 2007 through April 20, 2008. Using state of the art science and technology only developed within the past two years, learn all about your favorite subject, YOU, by engaging in a wide variety of activities. If your personality were a song, what would it be? Hear the music of your personality at the listening spectrum. Ever wonder what you'll look like in 30 years? See the effects that the sun, smoking and eating habits have on your future self and how the choices you make today impact your identity tomorrow. Do you think women can't have a career in science? Take a "rapid implicit association test" designed to probe for gender bias. Who do you identify with? Take an "implicit association" computed test to see what groups you subconsciously gravitate toward and identify with.
See what the media are saying about Identity
World Space Week 2007
World Space Week 2007 blasted off on October 4 with the arrival of Franklin Medalist and Mars Rover lead scientist Steve Squyers. Steve gave two presentations to school groups in the morning and spoke to PACTS and SLA students in the afternoon. That evening, Bower Award winner Norman Augustine and fellow Franklin Medalist John C. Mather joined Steve for a panel discussion entitled "Exploring Space in the New Millennium," moderated by NPR's Joe Palca.
On Friday, October 5 The Franklin Institute welcomed NASA Astronaut Winston E. Scott. Mr. Scott also gave presentations to school groups and answered questions about his life in space. That evening, Mr. Scott presented a DVD film version of his adventures in space, and signed copies of his book, Reflections from Earth Orbit, afterwards.
The festivities continued all weekend long, with special activities and programming for all museum guests, including Space Boot Camp and World's Cheapest Space Suit demonstrations in Space Command, tours of the Lunar Lander, and extended hours in the Joel N. Bloom Observatory. World Space Week was brought to a close by the October monthly meeting of the Rittenhouse Astronomical Society, which has been meeting at The Franklin Institute since 1931!
A Glimpse of King Tut's Ancestors Kicks Off Out of Africa Lecture Series at The Franklin Institute
On August 16th, The Franklin Institute kicked off a series of lectures designed to open a dialogue about science, race, and our community. "The Peopling of Ancient Egypt: Indigenous African Civilization, Pharaoh Tutankhamun and his Family" featured renowned scholars who gave rousing and thought provoking lectures on the origins of Ancient Egypt's royal line. Dr. Maulana Karenga, Dr. Charles Finch III, Dr. Theophile Obenga, and Temple University's own Dr. Molefi Asante, spoke to over 500 people and answered questions from the audience. Unfortunately, Dr. Asa Hilliard III, never got the chance to speak to the crowd. His life and his work were celebrated during the lecture.
In November 2007, The Franklin Institute will host the second of its lectures, "The Identity of Black Philadelphia", to complement its new Identity: A Celebration of YOU exhibition and explore the question of what being black in Philadelphia means.
Fox29 and BenFM's Hybrid Giveaway at The Franklin Institute
On Friday, August 3rd, Fox29 joined forces with Ben-FM to give away a brand new 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid plus a $500 Sunoco Gas Card right here on the steps of The Franklin Institute. The 15 lucky finalists with family and friends gathered in anticipation as the field was narrowed down to just three contestants. Fox29 anchor, Sharon Crowley along with BenFM DJ, Dave Cruise announced the lucky winner...Barbara DeVoll from Concordville, PA!!!
The Franklin Institute hosts 3rd Annual Racecar Day
On August 1st, visitors to The Franklin Institute really got their engines fired up. Pit stops happened inside and outside as fans met race car driver, Bill Lester and checked out some of the authentic race cars that lined the streets surrounding The Franklin Institute. Some lucky fans even won trips to Pocono Raceway where they got to wave the green flag or be an honorary pit crew member at the ARCA ReMax series race on August 4th, as well as tickets to the NASCAR Busch Series and Nextel Cup Series races on August 4th and 5th.
The Franklin Institute welcomes 1 Millionth Ticket Holder to "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs"
On Friday, July 20th, the one millionth ticket to the "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" was sold to Mr. Jerry Gleeson and his granddaughter, Taylor St. Clair, both from Bucks County, PA. The lucky ticket holders were showered with gold and presented with a golden gift basket of "Tut treasures" upon purchasing the milestone ticket. They also received an overnight hotel stay at the Rittenhouse Hotel, dinner for four at the 4-star restaurant there, LaCroix, & a family membership for four to The Franklin Institute.
Students Making a Difference
On Wednesday, June 13th, The Franklin Institute's signature youth program, PACTS joined forces with students from youth programs from The Please Touch Museum (ACES), the Philadelphia Zoo (JZAP), and the Academy of Natural Sciences (WINS), to celebrate our young people and the positive impact their participation in these programs has had throughout the community. Philadelphia native and DJ Q-Deezy, of Power 99-FM's "Dream Team" encouraged and inspired the teens and then presented them with awards of honor.
King Tut London Pyramid Painting
On Saturday, June 9th, sixty students from The Science Leadership Academy and The Franklin Institute's PACTS (Partnership for Achieving Careers in Technology and Science) program joined internationally renowned pop artist, Romero Britto in a historic project celebrating King Tut and the opening of "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs" in London slated for opening this November. Students put brush to canvases and created proportional replicas of the Pyramids of Giza. These canvases will be scanned, and then sent to London, where they will be incorporated into an actual 25 foot pyramid to be installed there.
King Tut Treasure Tour Kick-Off
On Saturday, May 12th, The Franklin Institute and Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation kicked off the King Tut Treasure Tour. This scavenger hunt, known as 'Geocaching', can be done with a Global Positioning System (GPS), or by using the family-friendly clues in the King Tut Treasure Tour brochure. This special kick-off day was filled with lots of Geocaching goodies -- prizes included Franklin Institute Family Memberships, a diamond pendant donated by Jewelers Row, an overnight stay in Philadelphia, a guided tour of Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, gift certificates to area restaurants and King Tut teddy bears.
King Tut Opening Gala
On Saturday, February 3rd, The Franklin Institute celebrated the opening day of Tutankhamun and the Golden age of the Pharaohs. Governor Ed Rendell and First Lady Midge Rendell joined the festivities and toured the exhibit.
King Tut Uncrating
On Tuesday, January 23rd, The Franklin Institute gave the media a sneak peek at the installation of Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs.
King Tut Tickets on Sale
On Wednesday, November 8th, Mellon Financial Corporation, the exhibit's presenting sponsor, gave away free tickets to 60 second-grade students from the Olney and Martha Washington Elementary Schools. Governor Ed Rendell also visited The Franklin Institute on Thursday, November 9th, to announce that over 220,000 tickets had been sold to the highly anticipated museum exhibition.
