Education
COVID-19: Keep on learning with us from home!
Download a task-setting PowerPoint to introduce children to Ben Franklin’s fascinating life and inspire their writing here.
To watch recordings of our summer family days, please follow the links below:
To watch recordings of the live science classes we held during the summer term, please follow the links below:
Ben Franklin’s Lightning Rod (Electricity)
Ben Franklin’s Glass Armonica (Sound)
Ben Franklin’s Bifocals (Light)
Ben Franklin’s Fuel-efficient Stove (Energy)
Ben Franklin’s Swim Fins (Forces)
Ben Franklin and the Gulf Stream (Energy)
Ben Franklin and the Northern Lights (Space)
Ben Franklin and Storm Clouds (States of Matter)
Ben Franklin’s Long Arm (Forces)
Guest Presenter from Newington Green Meeting House (States of Matter)
Guest Presenter from John Wesley’s House (Materials and their Properties)
Ben Franklin and Volcanoes (Rocks, Earth and Atmosphere)
Ben Franklin and the Solar System (Space)
“Resources like these provide bright moments in these strange, unprecedented times.” 2nd Grade Teacher at William B. Bimat Elementary School in Bakersfield, CA
Changing the World: Writing resources for upper KS2
In collaboration with Newington Green Meeting House and Museum of Methodism & John Wesley’s House, we have created digital resources for upper KS2 (US Grades 4-5) to inspire their writing. All of our unique historical sites about making the world a better place and celebrating people that championed these changes. You can view the lessons and download accompanying worksheets below:
Benjamin Franklin House:
Teaching Notes, Activity Sheet 1, Activity Sheet 2
You can download the Newington Green Meeting House resources here.
You can download the Museum of Methodism & John Wesley’s House resources here.
Feel free to reach out to our Education Manager with your ideas about Ben and how we can support children’s learning.
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.
All 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.
Primary Schools 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 & 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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