The Free Library is excited to host several science-based children’s programs in 16 of its neighborhood libraries—as well as a number of kitchen-science programs at the Culinary Literacy Center at Parkway Central Library—in conjunction with the Philadelphia Science Festival during the month of April.

From Monday, April 25 through Thursday, April 28, the Science Festival will invade neighborhood libraries for a celebration of science fun. Scientists, engineers, and other experts will share their knowledge at these FREE afterschool programs filled with exciting activities, animal encounters, and hands-on, kid-approved experiments and demonstrations.

Libraries hosting Neighborhood Science Afterschool include Cecil B. Moore Library, Fox Chase Library, Fumo Family Library, Greater Olney Library, Independence Library, Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library, Kingsessing Library, McPherson Square Library, Oak Lane Library, Paschalville Library, Richmond Library, Ramonita de Rodriguez Library, Torresdale Library, Widener Library, and Whitman Library.

In the Library’s Culinary Literacy Center, participants can discover how science plays a pivotal role in the kitchen. At the free event Fun with Kitchen Science, on Sunday, April 24, learn such information as how much sugar is in a strawberry or how much fat is in a piece of chocolate and check out how to bake the perfect chocolate chip cookie in the Cookie Lab. On Tuesday, April 26, visit Kitchen Lab: Chocolate to explore America's favorite confectionery ingredient from pod to plate while creating a full menu of chocolate-y goodness ($30). And experiment with amazing root vegetables at Kitchen Lab: Tapping the Root on Thursday, April 28 ($30).

And don’t forget to stop by the Philadelphia Science Festival’s Science Carnival at Penn's Landing on Saturday, April 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., where you can also check out the Free Library’s Techmobile—a Hot Spot on wheels featuring computers, broadband, and one-on-one training.

Don't miss this science-packed April at the Free Library! #GetNerdyPHL