As the world tunes in to the World Cup this summer, a new program from The Franklin Institute is bringing the science behind every pass, kick, and goal straight into Philadelphia neighborhoods.
The FI has teamed up with the Free Library of Philadelphia for The Science of Soccer, a fresh, hands-on program that will take over the sunnier months (May through August) with different STEM sessions that will get kids outdoors and on the field in a unique way.
The program is designed to reach more than 800 youth, ages 6 to 10, across all 54 library locations with the objective of turning each youngster into a “soccer scientist.”
“This summer, we will meet 800 future scientists in their own neighborhoods, at the very moment the world’s greatest soccer players are showcasing science before an audience of billions,” says Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of The Franklin Institute. “Connecting learning to a real-world moment makes science even more accessible and relevant, and it’s that connection that inspired this program’s development.”
Instructor training began last week at the Free Library Parkway Branch, led by Franklin Institute educators. The learning prepared instructors with technical skills and strategies to weave in storytelling with the athleticism in the program.
The Science of Soccer will feature four hands-on activities through tabletop models and interactive challenges where participants explore how forces, motion, and design influence what happens on the field. Each activity is designed to mirror real-world soccer scenarios, helping children understand the science behind skills that players often use instinctively.
In 'Use the Force!' students will investigate how the strength and angle of a kick determine whether they can score in different situations. 'On the Field' introduces environmental factors, encouraging kids to examine how weather and field conditions change the ball’s motion, and in 'Think Fast!' participants explore reaction time, testing how distractions and quick decision-making impact their performance. Finally, 'Foot Friction' challenges students to think like engineers as they design and prototype their own cleat soles, tackling the same kinds of problems faced by major athletic brands.
The curriculum will be fully integrated into the Free Library’s Literacy Enrichment Afterschool Program (LEAP) across all 54 branches as well.
“This partnership allows us to extend LEAP in meaningful ways,” says Christine Caputo, Chief of Youth Services and Programs at the Free Library of Philadelphia. “By integrating The Science of Soccer into programming across all 54 locations, we are expanding how young people engage with literacy and STEM through hands-on, real-world learning that keeps them curious and connected.”
To expand the program’s reach, The Franklin Institute also conducted local and national outreach to museums and youth-education organizations, offering free training and support to implement the curriculum in their own communities, a release notes. So far, representatives from 75 organizations have been introduced to the program and opted to receive the curriculum.
In Philadelphia, outreach efforts this spring will expand free access to additional local organizations beyond Free Library branches. The Franklin Institute and the library system are also partnering with Bentley Systems on the initiative.
“Bentley Systems is proud to support The Science of Soccer, empowering Philadelphia’s youth to discover the dynamic interplay between sport and science,” adds Angela Curry, the company’s vice president and chief compliance officer. “We believe that curiosity and teamwork fuel innovation—values at the heart of both soccer and STEM learning. Fútbol es vida.”
So, in a nutshell, by blending the energy of the world’s game with hands-on discovery, this program offers young learners a chance to see themselves not just as players, but as problem-solvers, thinkers, and future innovators.
For more information, ways to sign up and a full schedule of The Science of Soccer sessions, visit libwww.freelibrary.org
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