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 offers 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

12 colorful illustrations from 1886 of various fats under a microscope.
April 20, 2024
For Families

Stories of Science

Join us in our museum EVERY SATURDAY for a family-friendly program that highlights strange and surprising stories from the history of science!

Painting of William Henry Perkin
April 20, 2024
Free

Dyes & Textiles Tour

This “drop-in” tour highlights the science of natural dyes and textiles, the technology behind synthetic clothing, and the impact of fashion on human health and the environment.

Collage illustration showing map of African Burial Ground in Manhattan, illustration of human skull, man wearing a mask, and a photograph of the MOVE bombing in West Philadelphia
April 23, 2024
Classes & Workshops

How Science Invented the Myth of Race: Return, Rebury, Repatriate

In the third session of this Roundtable course, we discuss the ethical treatment of human remains and how this practice, when done correctly, is imperative to our understanding of the past.

    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.