Book your free school visit to Benjamin Franklin House today

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.

Mini Tesla coil
Children in Student Science Centre
Student Science Centre
Model skeleton in the Student Science Centre
Volunteer showing children the bones in the basement

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

We regularly welcome both KS4 classes studying GCSE History and KS5 classes studying A Level History or A Level History and Politics.

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Outreach

If your school, class or group is unable to attend a visit to Benjamin Franklin House, fear not! Benjamin Franklin House can visit YOU! Our fantastic Outreach Programme offers in-school and virtual alternatives to our main onsite offering here at 36 Craven Street.

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Franklin’s Young Scientists

Franklin's Young Scientists is our FREE science club for aspiring scientists in Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14).

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Frankly Speaking Debate Competition 2024

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 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 2023

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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Polly teaches children about the quill. Kids hold their hands up to ask a question

The Benjamin Franklin House education programme is generously supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation

Garfield Weston Foundation logo
  • 30 Mar 2023

    We just wanted to say that we loved the trip. The children loved the tasks and really broadened their knowledge.

    Year 6 teacher
  • 10 Feb 2023

    ...the perfect balance between theory and practice, they LOVE the experiments and having the chance to do hands on stuff.

    Home School Parent
  • 22 Nov 2022

    What I enjoyed the most was when we went on the tour with Polly. It felt like we were really in the olden times.

    Year 6 pupil
  • 5 Mar 2018

    The workshop was excellent. The sessions that the children participated in were carefully planned and well delivered. Children were enthused from the start...

    Year 4 teacher
  • 5 Nov 2017

    Thanks for today. The kids LOVED it. I don't think they've learnt as much or had such creative sessions on any other museum trip.

    Year 4 teacher