Events

The Science History Institute produces a wide range of in-person and virtual events that are free and open to the public. From exhibition openings and talks, to museum tours and late-night activities, our programming is aimed at science history lovers, students, industry professionals, scholars, educators, and the scientifically curious.
Featured

Educator Night: Flash! Bang! Boom!

Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 4pm-6pm EDT
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Event Types
  • Beckman Center
  • Classes & Workshops
  • Conferences & Symposia
  • Drop-In Tours
  • Fellow in Focus
  • First Fridays
  • For Families
  • Free
  • Hybrid
  • Joseph Priestley Society
  • Library Programs & Activities
  • Museum Programs & Activities
  • Online
  • Performances
  • Programs, Lectures & Talks
  • Science and Society
  • Science on Tap
  • Stories of Science
  • Touch Tours

Stories of Science: Fireworks!

Spend your Saturday exploring the sparkling and explosive history of fireworks!

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advertisement featuring a uniformed woman with a lunchbox

Stories of Science: Chemistry of Common Things

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

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etching of a family having tea by the fireplace

Stories of Science: Chemistry of Common Things

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

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illustration of a strawberry shortcake

Stories of Science: Chemistry of Common Things

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

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package of astroturf sample labeled "Baseball's Best"

Stories of Science: Celebration of Summer

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

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picnickers with frozen desserts

Stories of Science: Celebration of Summer

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

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Color illustration of fireworks on the Seine, Paris

Stories of Science: Celebration of Summer

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

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illustration of a woman and a child playing with pool toys

Stories of Science: Celebration of Summer

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

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visitor touching an inert firework shell

Wawa Welcome America: Free Museum Day and First Friday

Join us in our museum for extended hours and family-friendly programming as part of Wawa Welcome America’s 4th of July festivities!

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visitor viewing fireworks history exhibition

July 4th at the Science History Institute

Start your 4th of July celebration at the Science History Institute and learn about the science and history behind the beautiful displays you’ll see later in the evening.

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illustration of a knight on horseback

Stories of Science: Revolutionary Science

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

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painting of an alchemist doing an experiment that caught fire

Stories of Science: Revolutionary Science

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

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illustration of a colonial-era man behind a boiling kettle

Stories of Science: Revolutionary Science

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

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cover of a notebook

Stories of Science: CollegeFest 2026

All Philadelphia-area college students are invited to visit us during CollegeFest, Campus Philly’s annual “Welcome to Philadelphia!” celebration.

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