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CANCELLED – Franklin’s Young Inventors Science Club: Sound

Saturday 18 December, 10am-11.30am. Register here to attend in-person.

Join our science club at Benjamin Franklin House, the London home of the famous Founding Father of the United States who was also a scientist and inventor. You will learn about the experiments carried out by Benjamin Franklin and his British friends as well as trying your hand at practical investigations. This week we will be exploring the core physics topic of sound.

Most suitable for Years 7-9 (ages 11-14) but all ages welcome! Franklin’s Young Inventors is free to attend but booking is essential.

Parents are welcome to join, however, if you would prefer to drop off and pick up your child(ren) we will ask you to sign a permission form when you arrive.

COVID-19 Safety Precautions:

– We are limiting bookings to 15 people so please book a ticket for each adult and child attending

– Activities will take place in a well-ventilated historic space with hand sanitiser and sanitising wipes available

– All staff and adult visitors are encouraged to wear a face covering

Funding for Franklin’s Young Inventors has generously been provided by the United States Government and the DAR Walter Hines Page Chapter.

 

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Franklin’s Young Inventors Science Club: Forces

Saturday 19 March, 10am-11.30am GMT. Register here to attend in person.

Join our science club at Benjamin Franklin House, the London home of the famous Founding Father of the United States who was also a scientist and inventor. You will learn about the experiments carried out by Benjamin Franklin and his British friends as well as trying your hand at practical investigations. This week we will be exploring the core physics topic of forces.

If you would like to recreate the simple forces investigation at home, you will need the following items: a toy car, cardboard (e.g. from recycled boxes), a ruler, a timer, tape

Most suitable for Years 7-9 (US Grades 6-8) but all ages welcome!

COVID-19 Safety Precautions:

– We are limiting bookings to 15 people so please book a ticket for each adult and child attending

– Activities will take place in a well-ventilated historic space with hand sanitiser and sanitising wipes available

– All staff and adult visitors without medical exemption are required to wear a face covering and visitors are encouraged to take a lateral flow test before attending

Funding for Franklin’s Young Inventors has generously been provided by the United States Government and the DAR Walter Hines Page Chapter.

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Franklin’s Young Inventors Science Club: Energy Transfer

Saturday 22 May, 11.30am BST. Register here for this 30-minute virtual class.

Franklin’s Young Inventors is our weekly science club for aspiring scientists in Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14). We are delivering our science club virtually via Zoom on Tuesdays at 4.30pm BST or Saturdays at 11.30am BST. Participants will learn all about the experiments carried out by Benjamin Franklin and his British friends as well as trying their hand at practical investigations. This week we’ll be exploring the core physics topic of energy transfer.

If you would like to recreate the simple heat transfer investigation at home, you will need the following items: a metal spoon, a plastic spoon, a wooden spoon, a cup, a kettle, water, butter

Safety Notice! Make sure an adult boils the kettle and pours the hot water

Please note that the session will be recorded. A parent, carer or teacher should register on behalf of participants.

By registering, participants agree to follow our Online Safety Agreement. For more information, contact our Education Manager.

Funding for Franklin’s Young Inventors has generously been provided by the United States Government and the DAR Walter Hines Page Chapter

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Franklin’s Young Inventors Science Club: Fuels and Costs

Saturday 23 April, 10-11.30am BST. Register here to attend in person.

Join our science club at Benjamin Franklin House, the London home of the famous Founding Father of the United States who was also a scientist and inventor. You will learn about the experiments carried out by Benjamin Franklin and his British friends as well as trying your hand at practical investigations. This week we will be exploring the core physics topic of fuels and costs.

Most suitable for Years 7-9 (ages 11-14) – Franklin’s Young Inventors is free to attend but booking is essential.

Parents are welcome to join, however, if you would prefer to drop off and pick up your child(ren) we will ask you to sign a permission form when you arrive.

COVID-19 Safety Precautions:

– We are limiting bookings to 25 people.

– Activities will take place in a well-ventilated historic space with hand sanitiser and sanitising wipes available.

If you are unable to attend this in-person event, there will be a virtual alternative on Tuesday 26th April 2022. This Zoom Webinar will run from 4:30-5:00pm and explore the key learning that will be covered during the initial event.

The virtual session is also free but registration is required. If you wish to attend, please register here.

Funding for Franklin’s Young Inventors has been generously provided by the US Embassy London and the DAR Walter Hines Page Chapter.

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Franklin’s Young Inventors Science Club: Photosynthesis

Tuesday 11 May, 4.30pm BST. Register here for this 30-minute virtual class.

Franklin’s Young Inventors is our weekly science club for aspiring scientists in Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14). We are delivering our science club virtually via Zoom on Tuesdays at 4.30pm BST or Saturdays at 11.30am BST. Participants will learn all about the experiments carried out by Benjamin Franklin and his British friends as well as trying their hand at practical investigations. This week we’ll be exploring the core biology topic of photosynthesis.

If you would like to investigate what plants need to grow at home, you will need the following items: a stick of celery (ideally with leaves), a large glass or jug, water, food colouring (red or blue will work best)

Most suitable for Years 7-9 (US Grades 6-8) but all ages welcome!

Please note that the session will be recorded. A parent, carer or teacher should register on behalf of participants.

By registering, participants agree to follow our Online Safety Agreement. For more information, contact our Education Manager.

Funding for Franklin’s Young Inventors has generously been provided by the United States Government and the DAR Walter Hines Page Chapter.

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Franklin’s Young Inventors Science Club: Pollination

Saturday 8 May, 11.30am BST. Register here for this 30-minute virtual class.

Franklin’s Young Inventors is our weekly science club for aspiring scientists in Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14). We are delivering our science club virtually via Zoom on Tuesdays at 4.30pm BST or Saturdays at 11.30am BST. Participants will learn all about the experiments carried out by Benjamin Franklin and his British friends as well as trying their hand at practical investigations. This week we’ll be exploring the core biology topic of pollination.

If you would like to investigate the parts of the flower at home, you will need the following items: a flower to dissect (lilies work best for this), scissors, tape and a piece of paper/card. You may also want to download this Taboo card game to test your understanding after the class.

Most suitable for Years 7-9 (US Grades 6-8) but all ages welcome!

Please note that the session will be recorded. A parent, carer or teacher should register on behalf of participants.

By registering, participants agree to follow our Online Safety Agreement. For more information, contact our Education Manager.

Funding for Franklin’s Young Inventors has generously been provided by the United States Government and the DAR Walter Hines Page.

 

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Franklin’s Young Inventors Science Club: Electric Current

Saturday 16 October, 10am-11:30am. Register here to attend in-person.

Join our science club at Benjamin Franklin House, the London home of the famous Founding Father of the United States who was also a scientist and inventor. You will learn about the experiments carried out by Benjamin Franklin and his British friends as well as trying your hand at practical investigations. This week we will be exploring the core physics topic of electric current.

Most suitable for Years 7-9 (ages 11-14) but all ages welcome!  Franklin’s Young Inventors is free to attend but booking is essential.

Parents are welcome to join, however, if you would prefer to drop off and pick up your child(ren) we will ask you to sign a permission form when you arrive.

COVID-19 Safety Precautions:

– We are limiting bookings to 15 people so please book a ticket for each adult and child attending

– Activities will take place in a well-ventilated historic space with hand sanitiser and sanitising wipes available

– All staff and adult visitors are encouraged to wear a face covering

Virtual Alternative

If you would prefer to learn with Benjamin Franklin House remotely, you can sign up here for a 30-minute science class via Zoom at 4.30pm BST/11.30am EDT on Tuesday 19 October. If you would like to create an electromagnet at home after the class, you will need the following items: a nail (made of iron or steel and at least 5cm long), a battery and insulated copper wire (available online or in most hardware stores).

Safety Warning! Electromagnets generate heat so children should only recreate this demonstration under adult supervision and following the guidance given in the class.

Please note that the session will be recorded. A parent, carer or teacher should register on behalf of participants. By registering, participants agree to follow our Online Safety Agreement. For more information, contact our Education Manager.

Funding for Franklin’s Young Inventors has generously been provided by the United States Government and the DAR Walter Hines Page Chapter.

 

 

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Franklin’s Young Inventors Science Club: Static Electricity

Saturday 18 September, 10am-11:30am. Register here to attend in-person.

Join our science club at Benjamin Franklin House, the London home of the famous Founding Father of the United States who was also a scientist and inventor. You will learn about the experiments carried out by Benjamin Franklin and his British friends as well as trying your hand at practical investigations. This week we will be exploring the core physics topic of static electricity.

Most suitable for Years 7-9 (ages 11-14) but all ages welcome!  Franklin’s Young Inventors is free to attend but booking is essential.

Parents are welcome to join, however, if you would prefer to drop off and pick up your child(ren) we will ask you to sign a permission form when you arrive.

COVID-19 Safety Precautions:

– We are limiting bookings to 15 people so please book a ticket for each adult and child attending

– Activities will take place in a well-ventilated historic space with hand sanitiser and sanitising wipes available

– All staff and adult visitors are encouraged to wear a face covering

Virtual Alternative

If you would prefer to learn with Benjamin Franklin House remotely, you can sign up here for a 30-minute science class via Zoom at 4.30pm BST/11.30am EDT on Tuesday 14 September. If you would like to recreate the simple static electricity experiments at home, you will need the following items: a balloon (or an empty plastic bottle), a straw, a tap, washing up liquid and a smooth surface.

Please note that the session will be recorded. A parent, carer or teacher should register on behalf of participants. By registering, participants agree to follow our Online Safety Agreement. For more information, contact our Education Manager.

Funding for Franklin’s Young Inventors has generously been provided by the United States Government and the DAR Walter Hines Page Chapter.

 

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Robert H Smith Family Foundation Lecture in American Democracy – Democracy and the Supreme Court: judges and the politicians

Please note this is a past event. View upcoming events and all past virtual talks here. 

Watch this lecture here.

Join us for the annual Robert H Smith Family Foundation lecture in American Democracy which aims to promote the importance of international diplomacy and democracy in the spirit of Benjamin Franklin as a diplomat and politician.

The settled position of law and the judges in our constitution has undergone very severe stress testing over the last five years, through Brexit and coronavirus.  Those two crises demonstrate the dominance of the executive, who as coronavirus demonstrates can change the law at will if circumstances demand it, and the dominance of politics – if the politicians don’t like the limits set by the law they will not only change the law, they may change the constitution to neuter the judges.  How much at risk is the rule of law?  And what should we do about it?  Has politics prevented us from defending the rule of law? The lecture will set out the threat which is real, the consequences which are dire, and the steps we can take both to form a coalition which defends the rule of law and the specific constitutional changes needed to embed the rule of law.

Charlie Falconer (@LordCFalconer) is an English qualified barrister and partner based in Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher’s London office.  The former UK Lord Chancellor and first Secretary of State for Justice spent 25 years as a commercial barrister, becoming a QC in 1991.

Chaired by Paul Apostolidis, Associate Professorial Lecturer and Deputy Head of Department for Education in the Department of Government at LSE.

This event is hosted in partnership with the Department of Government (@LSEGovernment), the world-leading centre for study and research in politics and government.

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Franklin & Washington: Edward J. Larson in conversation with Dr. Márcia Balisciano

During their lifetimes and in the years since, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington have been the subject of great literary interest. Yet each has typically been a minor player in the chronicles of the other – until now. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edward J. Larson’s new book, Franklin & Washington, uncovers the close relationship between these two principal founders of the United States. Professor Larson, University Professor of History and Darling Chair in Law at Pepperdine University, who was also an inaugural Fellow at the Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon, will be in conversation with Dr. Márcia Balisciano, Director of the Benjamin Franklin House in London, the world’s only surviving Franklin home. On the table will be the genesis of Franklin and Washington’s friendship and its impact on the American story, and their legacies in a time of challenge.

Please note this is a past event. View upcoming events and all past virtual talks here.