Uwishunu.com

There’s more to The Franklin Institute than just that giant heart, and if you haven’t been there in a while, this April is definitely the time to go. They’re running a whole slew of awesome events throughout the month.

Astronomy enthusiasts will want to check out the special Galileo-inspired happenings. New exhibit “Galileo, the Medici and the Age of Astronomy” opens April 4th, coinciding with the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s world-changing astronomical discoveries. You can check out one of his two original telescopes, which is leaving Italy for the first time ever and coming to Philly to be featured in the exhibit.

The second Thursday of each month hosts Night Skies in the Observatory. The observatory stays open late and features 5 different telescopes for your star, planet, nebulae, and galaxy-viewing pleasure. On April 9th there’s a special Galileo-focused presentation, examining the differences between Galileo’s 17th-century sky and our own.

The recent movie versions of C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia captured kids’ imaginations. Whether you were hooked by the silver screen rendition or actually read the series old-school style, The Franklin’s Chronicles is celebrating its final weekend on the 17th and 18th. The Narnia exhibit features costumes and sets from the film, as well as tons of interactive options, including sitting in the White Witch’s throne and witnessing a live catapult demonstration! On the 18th there’s a special Children’s Book Hour, but the more adventurous might prefer Sword Fighting 101 on the 19th, with instructors from the Live Steel Academy demonstrating their skills and teaching some basic moves to wannabe knights.

Other April events include Asthma & Allergy Awareness Days (April 8th & 15th), the Earth Day celebration on the 25th, and Franklin Awards Week, featuring lectures and panel discussions with some of today’s top minds in science and technology.

Some programs are free, some have a charge, and some require registration “” so check out The Franklin’s website for more info.

The Franklin Institute
222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 448-1200
www2.fi.edu