Philly Materials Science & Engineering Day

Explore the materials that impact your world at a day of FREE hands-on science and engineering fun for all ages!

The Science History Institute is a proud partner of Philly Materials Day, which uses hands-on activities and demonstrations to introduce attendees to the world of materials science and engineering and to promote STEM exploration.

The Institute will be talking about the history of such plastics as Bakelite and nylon, their historical impact on our culture, and how they relate to us and our environment today as we think more about sustainability. Explore various objects from our collections, such as Bakelite samples and a Kevlar bulletproof vest, and use a microscope to examine synthetic fibers like nylon up close.

Philly Materials Day was established in February 2011 by the materials science and engineering departments at Drexel University and the University of Pennsylvania.