Join us on Saturday, June 8, for Curious Histories Fest: Color Your World, a day of fun inspired by our BOLD: Color from Test Tube to Textile exhibition.

About First Fridays

Spark your curiosity while exploring the exhibits after hours! First Fridays bring together a myriad of activities covering everyday science, historical oddities, and everything in between. Grab your friends, and kick off an evening of discovery, surprise, and a little nerdy fun.

First Fridays at the Institute are always free and open to the public. Attendees will receive a 10% discount to National Mechanics restaurant.

More events

illustrations of various furnaces
January 14, 2026
Joseph Priestley Society

Alternative Power: Moving Beyond Wind and Solar with Geothermal Energy

Experts discuss the latest advances in geothermal energy, sharing details of its implementation on the Swarthmore College campus.

View inside the Jacobs Reading Room
January 14, 2026
Free

Othmer Library Tour

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

photo of cheese wrapped in plastic
January 17, 2026
Drop-In Tours

School Lunch Tour

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

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