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.
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Stories of Science: 52 Weeks of Firsts

Saturday, March 21, 2026 | 10am-5pm EDT
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photograph of red roses, blue background

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.

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From Cabinets to the Cloud: Unlocking the Research Potential of Natural History Collections

Hear from marine biologist Alejandra Martínez-Melo on the digitization and sharing of the Academy of Natural Sciences specimen collections.

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jacket design for Tofu: A Culinary History, with a plate showing 3 blocks of tofu and a pair of chopsticks

Tofu: A Culinary History

Food historian Russell Thomas traces the remarkable journey of tofu from its ancient origins in East Asia to its global rise as a staple of modern plant-based cuisine.

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illustrated note about a frog

What Frogs and Octopuses Know (That ChatGPT Doesn’t)

Won Jeon shows how AI produces convincing language while lacking the situational awareness that powers the communication of living organisms.

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Book cover of The Maternal Imprint showing a pattern of colorful thumbprints

The Maternal Imprint

This Women’s History Month, join us for a thought provoking presentation by leading gender and science scholar Sarah S. Richardson.

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full-page color ad depicting a grown tree being planted in a landscaped yard

Greening the Urban Landscape

Hear from Tim Bennett and Peggy Prevoznik Heins on bringing composting services to Philadelphia and vegetable gardens to Delaware schools.

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illustration of a man shielding his face from an explosion

Othmer Library After Hours

Join us for annual library open house in honor of National Library Week!

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Chinese world map, drawn by the Jesuits (early 17th century).

The Global History of Modern Science, 1400–1914

The 2026 Cain Conference will address the major issues involved in understanding how modern science has been created through a process of global cultural exchange.

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