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

A Marvelous Night of Minerals: An ‘Earthly Matters’ Opening Celebration

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 5pm-8pm EDT
Learn More

Filter events

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
  • Roundtable
  • Science and Society
  • Science on Tap
  • Stories of Science
magazine ad featuring a baby in high chair pouring milk over a tray

School Lunch Tour

This interactive drop-in tour reveals how food scientists, the government, and the public have shaped in-school nutrition.

More
cover of a notebook

Stories of Science: CollegeFest 2025

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

More
cover of game box

Stories of Science: Back to School

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

More
Delaware River Festival logo

Delaware River Festival 2025

Institute staff will be on hand at the 7th annual celebration of the mighty Delaware with fun, water-themed activities and giveaways.

More
woolly mammoth book cart

Othmer Library Tour

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

More
gathering of people interacting with science posters

First Friday: Start Talking Science

Meet scientists doing cutting-edge research in physics, medicine, biochemistry, and more.

More
red and green ad for Deenate DDT

Science & Activism Tour

From Rachel Carson to ACT UP, explore how scientists and activists have shaped discovery and created change.

More
chart of fingerprints

Stories of Science: Spooky Science

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

More

A Marvelous Night of Minerals: An ‘Earthly Matters’ Opening Celebration

Celebrate the opening of our new permanent exhibition featuring a collection of more than 20 minerals.

More
book opened to annotated skeleton illustration

Stories of Science: Spooky Science

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

More
Vintage ad for margarine featuring a knife spreading margarine on one piece of bread out of the loaf. The ad copy talks about the benefits of margarine.

School Lunch Tour

This interactive drop-in tour reveals how food scientists, the government, and the public have shaped in-school nutrition.

More
color illustration of medicinal plants

Stories of Science: Spooky Science

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

More
illustration of a drinking man interacting with apparitions

Stories of Science: Spooky Science

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

More
ACS The Hidden Life of Spices artwork

National Chemistry Week: The Hidden Life of Spices

Discover how spices get their flavors from their chemical makeup at the American Chemical Society’s family-friendly festival.

More
women in lab

Women in Chemistry Tour

Drop in for a tour highlighting the central role of women in shaping chemistry and the material sciences throughout history.

More

Stories of Science: Feasting on Chemistry

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

More
blue armchairs, shelves, columns in library

Othmer Library Tour

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

More
illustration of a torpedo boat on rough sea

First Friday: Nautical Navigation

Think you have what it takes to survive on the seven seas? Test your skills in a nautical navigation choose-your-own-adventure game!

More
Pyrex 1-Quart Liquid Measuring Cup

Stories of Science: Feasting on Chemistry

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

More
magazine ad with a color illustration of a boy eating peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a kitchen

School Lunch Tour

This interactive drop-in tour reveals how food scientists, the government, and the public have shaped in-school nutrition.

More
Super Sandwich board game card

Stories of Science: Feasting on Chemistry

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

More
postcard addressed to Max A. Bredig featuring a young girl reading Braille

Stories of Science: Feasting on Chemistry

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

More
scholars doing research in a library

Othmer Library Tour

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

More
grayscale illustration of a steam kettle

First Friday: Cocoa for Chemistry

Enjoy a cozy evening learning about the innovations that keep us warm. Cookies and hot chocolate included!

More
red, yellow, and green can of DDT pesticide

Science & Activism Tour

From Rachel Carson to ACT UP, explore how scientists and activists have shaped discovery and created change.

More
film and foil packaging for pizza ingredients

School Lunch Tour

This interactive drop-in tour reveals how food scientists, the government, and the public have shaped in-school nutrition.

More
colorized illustration of fireworks

Exhibition Opening: Flash! Bang! Boom! A History of Fireworks

SAVE THE DATE for an explosive celebration of our next exhibition.

More