All new and returning Philadelphia-area college students are invited to visit the Science History Institute’s museum during CollegeFest, Campus Philly’s annual city-wide, weekend-long, “Welcome to Philadelphia!” celebration featuring free experiences, fun activities, contests, entertainment, giveaways, and more.

The Institute joins more than 25 of the City of Brotherly Love’s most iconic cultural organizations and attractions offering free admission exclusively to college students. Your official ticket also includes free SEPTA rides right to our front door in Old City.

Students can explore the intersections of environmentalism, education, and fun with our latest outdoor exhibition Playing Dirty, hear the voices and learn the stories of scientists and engineers who immigrated to the United States in the 20th century with our Migrating Science ExhibitLab, and discover the connections between rare earth elements and glass art with Enabling Transparency. And don’t miss our permanent exhibition, which will take you on a journey through more than five centuries of scientific inquiry into the material world.

CollegeFest is organized by Campus Philly. Registration is required.

More events

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!

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.

Emblema XXXIV from Atalanta Fugiens showing sun and moon bathing together
February 7, 2026
For Families

Stories of Science: We ❤︎ Chemistry!

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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