The Franklin Institute

@franklininstitute.bsky.social

Igniting curiosity for science since 1824 ⚡ LAST CHANCE BODY WORLDS: Vital Coming Soon! Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition 🎢

Pi Day is just around the corner… or should we say circle? 🥧 Celebrate 3.14 with Pi-themed fun for all ages: 🌌 Pi in the Sky Tonight show 🔢 Pi digit challenge + a sweet reward from Federal Donuts & Chicken 🧠 Brain Awareness activities 📅 3.14 | 11AM – 3:14PM 🎟️ Free with admission

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THANK YOU from the bottom of our Giant Heart! 🫀 Because of you, we’re honored to be named one of the Top 10 Best Science Museums and Best Planetariums in the nation for 2026 by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. 🏆 Discover what earned us a spot in the Top 10. We can’t wait to welcome you! 🚀

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Look up! 👀✈️ Our 1911 Wright Model B Flyer now lives in the sky of our Atrium! Suspended overhead, this legendary aircraft is one of the most intact original Wright airplanes in the world and a true symbol of the dawn of flight. Come experience history from a whole new angle. ✈️ FI Cat. #2885

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2026 is a momentous year, and today we celebrate our 202nd year! 🎂 In celebration, we debuted Franklin’s Spark, a 120-degree, multi-sensory dome experience that brings Ben’s spirit of curiosity to life on an unprecedented scale. Feel the spark for yourself inside the memorial!⚡

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Snow… on fire?! 👀❄️🔥 When calcium carbide meets water, it releases flammable acetylene gas (aka a snowy science explosion!) We're open & bringing the heat all weekend long! Catch Fox in our Combustion or Liquid Air Show & leave this fiery science fun to our pro science performers!🧪

Happy Birthday, Ben! 🎂 No better way to celebrate Benjamin Franklin’s 320th Birthday than by honoring the spirit of inquiry and discovery, and inspiring a passion for learning about science and technology! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate his big day!

Ever seen a combustion show in action? 🔥 The reactions say it all—it's a must-see! Get ready to be amazed as things heat up! We break down the three essential ingredients needed for any combustion reaction in this fiery show. Think you know all three? 🤔 Catch a show and see if you’re right!

🚨 New Show Alert: Encounters in the Milky Way! 🌌 Narrated by Pedro Pascal, this show takes you on a time-traveling adventure through the cosmic forces shaping our galactic neighborhood. Fels Planetarium, presented by PNC Bank, is free to enjoy with general admission.

2025 went out with a bang! 💥 Thank you for exploring, experimenting, and making memories with us all year long. We’ll be closed on New Year’s Day (1/1/26), but we can’t wait to open the doors to a brand-new year of curiosity, discovery, and science fun! ✨

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Today we celebrate Wright Brothers Day ✈️ OTD in 1903: Orville and Wilbur Wright made history with the first successful powered flight. See the original 1911 Wright Model B in Franklin Air Show. Though the exhibit departs on Jan. 5, stay tuned for where the plane will soon land in the museum.

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Ben’s getting a fresh shine for 2026! ✨🧼 The twenty-foot Seravezza marble seated figure just got a light cleaning as we spark up an electrifying year ahead.⚡ Until then, stop by the free-to-visit Benjamin Franklin National Memorial and stay for the hands-on science fun. 📸: FI Cat.# 6288 B

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Celebrate the season with hands-on fun and fan-favorite experiences! 📅 Dec. 20–30 🏗️ Creation Station is BACK! Build, stack & create! 🆕 Planetarium Show: Reason for the Seasons ❄️ Live Science Shows with a Holiday Twist! 🎁 Shop our Sci-Store & gift a membership! 🚨We are closed on December 24 & 25.

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Nothing beats an evening of science, stars, music & great company. 🔭⭐ Huge thanks to everyone who joined us for Science After Hours: Celestial Sips—and to Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts for guiding our journey through the universe as we raised a glass to the cosmos. 🌌 Here's to staying curious!🥂