Celebrate the 12th year of Philly Materials Day and explore the materials that impact your world at a day of FREE hands-on science and engineering fun for all ages!

Logo: Philly Materials Science & Engineering Day

Stop by the Science History Institute booth to learn all about natural and synthetic fibers, their history, and the different ways they shape our lives. And use your new knowledge of fibers to design your own superhero costume!

Visit phillymaterials.org for information on the day’s other hands-on activities. Special behind-the-scenes tours for high school students will highlight some of the advanced instrumentation and lab spaces that make materials research possible. 


Event sponsors include Boeing, Verder Scientific, and Arkema, Inc., in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, the Science History Institute, and North Penn High School Nanotechnology Education and Research (N.E.A.R.).

For more information, please visit phillymaterials.org.


Featured image: Violet Grenda inspecting nylon yarn at a DuPont facility, 1938.

More events

etching of a family having tea by the fireplace
May 23, 2026
For Families

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!

overhead view of museum displays
May 28, 2026
Museum Programs & Activities

From Our Forefathers: Climate Crisis in Chemistry History

We’ve teamed up with artist Aislinn Pentecost-Farren and ArtPhilly’s What Now: 2026 festival to look at our museum through a new lens.

illustration of a strawberry shortcake
May 30, 2026
For Families

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!

    Republish

    Copy the above HTML to republish this content. We have formatted the material to follow our guidelines, which include our credit requirements. Please review our full list of guidelines for more information. By republishing this content, you agree to our republication requirements.