Welcome Back: FirstHand Lab IRL
FirstHand
Nurturing a 21st century STEM workforce to create a more equitable talent pipeline

About FirstHand
FirstHand offers free year-round, supplemental STEM learning for middle and high school students and is designed to provide skills-based career exposure. Our FirstHand Lab connects students from surrounding neighborhoods to the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem in Philadelphia. Our industry-informed curricula provides real-world, hands-on experience in an effort to open doors for the minds of tomorrow.
Who is this program for?
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FirstHand students collaborating on a STEM project -
A look inside the FirstHand Lab
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STEM in action
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STEM in action
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Making the pitch
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In the lab
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The FirstHand team
Program Benefits
Career Exposure
High school students work directly with professional mentors in real-world, career simulations. Middle school students begin to understand the STEM career opportunities in their own neighborhood by visiting STEM labs and workspaces
Exposure to STEM
We create an early interest in the STEM disciplines and supplement the classroom experiences with hands-on, project-based lessons with real world applications.
Mentorship
You can’t be what you can’t see. That’s why we engage STEM professionals to demonstrate what a variety of STEM careers look like and provide guidance to students.
Hands-on Learning
Our lab-based programming incorporates project-based learning and industry-relevant curricula.
Virtual Learning
The learning doesn’t stop just because we can’t be in the lab, whether it’s delivering “at-home” STEM kits, providing supplemental support to teachers conducting virtual classes, or with remote project-based curricula like FirstHand Summer Ventures, Move Into Physics or STEM in the Real World.
I’m most excited about how I’m gonna actually make something of my own from scratch and look forward to seeing how it turns out. I’ve been working on it every day!

FirstHand Impact
Support Firsthand while earning tax credits through EITC
Companies can support FirstHand through the Educational Income Tax Credit Program (EITC). The EITC program allows eligible businesses to turn up to 90% of charitable contributions into tax credits.
Program FAQs
We work directly with schools in Philadelphia. If you’re a student and interested in participating in our programs, we suggest you speak with your teacher or principal. If you have questions, we can be reached at firsthand@sciencecenter.org.
If you’re interested in becoming a new school partner, contact us to learn more. Note, students must be able to walk or take public transit to our lab at 3675 Market Street.
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8/11/22 | Interview
Humans of the Science Center: Briana Cannon
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7/26/22 | In the News
Science Center’s new startup development program is aimed at first-gen STEM students
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6/30/22 | In the News
Why 6 Philly teens tried their hand at entrepreneurship through the pandemic
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6/28/22 | Publications
2022 Greater Philadelphia Cell and Gene Therapy Workforce Update
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6/16/22 | Article
BULB: Where Are They Now?
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6/2/22 | Update
FirstHand Impact
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4/21/22 | Article
Welcome Back: FirstHand Lab IRL
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4/13/22 | Press Releases
THRIVE Exhibition will Showcase Work at the Nexus of Art, Design, and Biology
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3/18/22 | In the News
GSK STEM Equity Grants
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3/10/22 | Article
Leaving Our Mark On 2021
The Latest
Become a Mentor
Inspire the next generation of STEM professionals by serving as a mentor to our FirstHand students. Work with middle and high school students from under-represented communities in Philadelphia, for hands-on, project-based learning in our dedicated FirstHand Lab or your space. Our mentors are scientists, designers, entrepreneurs, and engineers, but we welcome mentors with all types of backgrounds and skill sets.
