Free Science in the Summer program to host in-person sessions for kids again

GSK Science in the Summer, a free summer science program, will go on this summer with in-person options, but fewer sessions and spaces because of COVID. Science educators from Morehead Planetarium and Science Center oversee the summer program, which will take place in Wake, Johnton and Harnett counties this summer.

Certified teachers lead the program with the help of high school student assistants. The goal, according to the website, is to spark an interest in science for kids.

This year's theme is "Be An Engineer." Kids will design, build, test and adapt projects as they learn the basics of engineering. Rolling registration for sessions starts April 5. Sessions are either three hours in the morning or the afternoon, depending on the dates, location and grade level, according to the website.

Programs are designed for rising second and third graders, rising fourth and fifth graders and rising sixth, seventh and eighth graders.

A note on registration: Because these programs are absolutely free for all (seriously, no strings attached here), spots at some locations fill up very quickly. From my own experience signing up one of my kids for these, I definitely recommend noting exactly when registration opens for the locations that you're interested in and being online and ready to sign up as soon as it opens.