Franklin Institute

: This article is about the science museum in Philadelphia. For the Boston school, see Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology.

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The Franklin Institute is the memorial to Benjamin Franklin, that serves to perpetuate his legacy; the museum contains many of Franklin's personal effects. On February 5, 1824, Samuel Vaughan Merrick and William H. Keating founded The Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts. The original building is now the Atwater-Kent Municipal Museum. In 1933 the Institute opened the science museum that is now its main focus. The mission of The Franklin Institute Science Museum is to stimulate interest in science, to promote public understanding of science, and to strengthen science education. Exhibits on display cover several subjects such as science and industry, physics, astronomy and history. The Fels Planetarium and the Mandell Center are also located in the museum.

Related Topics:
Benjamin Franklin - February 5 - 1824 - Samuel Vaughan Merrick - William H. Keating - Atwater-Kent Municipal Museum - Fels - Planetarium - Mandell Center

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The museum is highly popular among children. Some of the more engaging exhibits include a flight simulator, virtual reality soccer, and simulated wheelchair races. Another popular part of the museum is the Tuttleman IMAX Theater which features educational documentaries to supplement current exhibits, as well as family-oriented films.

Related Topics:
Flight simulator - Virtual reality - Soccer - Wheelchair races - IMAX - Documentaries

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