Join our museum’s Gallery Guides for a “drop-in” tour that explores the vital impacts made by engaged communities on scientific discovery, environmental justice, and public health.

Our Science & Activism Tour invites visitors to consider these questions: Who is a scientist? Who is an activist? How does each bring about change?

Stories include the influential book Silent Spring by conservationist Rachel Carson and the rise of the environmental movement; ACT UP, the AIDS crisis, and the development of the patients’ bill of rights; the Black Panthers’ lead role in community testing for sickle cell anemia; and the water-use protests that shaped the future (and the topography) of the Delaware River Valley.

This tour bridges content from our new Downstream exhibition and our permanent exhibition, offering a broad picture of the ways activists have reshaped our understanding of science and how visitors can become engaged today.


Drop-in tours are free and no reservations are necessary.

More events

United Arab Emirates stamp featuring futuristic architecture and cherry blossom branch
February 4, 2026
Beckman Center

Understanding the Chemical Industry’s Financial Structures and Global Expansion to Inform its Transition to Sustainability

The 2026 T. T. Chao Symposium on Innovation will focus on the relationships between finance, patterns of ownership, and world trade, which are particularly significant for the chemical industry’s transition to sustainability in the 21st century.

photograph of red roses, blue background
February 6, 2026
First Fridays

Wine, Roses, and Chocolate: How Romance and Science Work Together to Sweeten the Dark Days of February

Master flavorist Sam Tharpe, essential oil specialist Kim Bleimann, expert chocolatier Jim St.John, and chemist of wine André Isaacs uncover the unseen molecular world of romantic staples and the science that delivers them.

Fellows working in Jacobs Reading Room
February 6, 2026
Library Programs & Activities

Othmer Library Tour

Curious about the other half of the Science History Institute? Step into the Othmer Library of Chemical History!

    Republish

    Copy the above HTML to republish this content. We have formatted the material to follow our guidelines, which include our credit requirements. Please review our full list of guidelines for more information. By republishing this content, you agree to our republication requirements.