Education
Based on the London life and work of one of the main figures of the Enlightenment – Benjamin Franklin, our unique educational offerings include the Children’s Historical Experience, featuring an interactive live performance and the Student Science Centre’s hands-on structured and fun activities that capture children’s imagination.
Pupils at London schools can enjoy Ben’s Travelling Suitcase which our Education Manager takes to schools, bringing our in-House learning into the classroom. We also provide a range of other educational events, including Science on Stage and our Frankly Speaking Debate Contest for students across the UK. All children can learn with us from home using our Online Learning Resources.
Primary School Visits
Our award-winning education days take place every Tuesday in the House’s Student Science Centre. Based on the London life and work of Benjamin Franklin, our engaging activities link to and illuminate the National Curriculum.
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Secondary School Visits
A visit to Benjamin Franklin House can support both History and Politics at A Level. On the Historical Experience, students will learn about the excitement and uncertainty of Franklin's years in London leading up to the American Revolution. They will also receive a talk from the Education Manager which delves deeper into Franklin's political role.
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Outreach
Ben’s Travelling Suitcase is a valise full of Franklin at Craven Street-related objects with exciting corresponding activities which our Education Manager brings to local schools. We also offer free talks by our experts to community groups, including networks for the elderly.
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Sister Schools
Sister Schools is a Benjamin Franklin House programme linking schools in UK with their counterparts in the United States. Sister Schools allows children to participate in a fun and collaborative curriculum based on the amazing life of Benjamin Franklin – particularly his years in London and his efforts to strengthen Anglo-American relations. Themes include our shared heritage, citizenship, and science and innovation.
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Franklin’s Young Inventors
Franklin's Young Inventors is our science club for aspiring scientists in Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14). Participants learn all about the experiments carried out by Benjamin Franklin and his British friends as well as trying their hand at practical investigations. A range of core topics from the science curriculum are covered including electricity, forces, sound and the human body.
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Frankly Speaking Debate Competition
In his role as a colonial agent, and later as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Franklin regularly had to advance his opinions in the face of challenge and criticism. In that spirit, and to encourage tomorrow’s thinkers today, Benjamin Franklin House proudly holds the annual Frankly Speaking Debate Competition for upper secondary school students, in collaboration with the US Embassy London, Bloomberg and the DAR. The winner joins students from across Europe and the United States at the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute.
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Science on Stage & History and Science Fair
Science on Stage and Science Fair engage schools with a combination of hands-on activities and live demonstrations led by real life scientists.
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Literary Prize
While Benjamin Franklin made lasting contributions in many fields, his first passion was writing. Each year a question or quote exploring Franklin’s relevance in our time is open for interpretation in 1000-1500 words. The competition is exclusively for young writers, aged 18-25, with a first prize of £750, and a second prize of £500.
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Robert H. Smith Scholarship Centre
Through the Robert H. Smith Scholarship Centre we offer an active volunteer programme for university students from the US, UK, and farther afield, as well as some 40 stimulating public events each year.
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