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Catapult to success with GSK Science in the Summer™

“Nothing but net” with this experiment on simple machines

GSK Science in the Summer™ (www.scienceinthesummer.com) enriches young minds through offering elementary school-aged children a free summer science education program. Students in second through sixth grade in the Greater Philadelphia Area are given the opportunity to study Physical Science & Electricity (Bucks County), Oceanography (Chester County), Genetics (Delaware County), Chemistry (Montgomery County), and Simple Machines (Philadelphia County). Sponsored by GSK and hosted by The Franklin Institute, GSK Science in the Summer classes are taught by certified teachers at local libraries. Through simple, hands-on experiments, GSK Science in the Summer helps students “grow into science” and gain first-hand knowledge of complex concepts: students learn about density and buoyancy, the uniqueness of fingerprints, the strength of levers, and much more!

To spread the joy of science, GSK Science in the Summer is sharing an experiment from its Simple Machines curriculum—an experiment that you can do in your very own home! Please note: for optimum safety, an adult should be present during all experiments, and children should wear safety glasses when conducting experiments at home and schools.

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Making baskets: Experiment on catapults

There are six types of simple machines: lever, inclined plane, wedge, screw, wheel and axle, and pulley. Catapults, a type of first-class lever, are used to toss objects into the air. In this experiment, you will get to build your own catapult and use it to play a fun game that is similar to basketball!

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Materials: safety glasses; ruler; eraser; small piece of clay or small, soft toy ball; wastebasket; two players

Instructions:

1. Place the eraser on a flat surface, with the widest part facedown.

2. Place the ruler on top of the eraser so that it is balanced.

3. If using clay, roll the clay into a ball. Place the ball on one end of the ruler. (Note: this end of the ruler should now be touching the ground, and the other end should be in the air).

4. Place the wastebasket about one foot (1’) away from the end of the ruler that is in the air.

5. Make sure no one is standing between the ruler and the wastebasket. Then, use your first to hit the end of the ruler that is in the air. Your ball will fly up toward the wastebasket!

6. Take turns with your partner, using the lever to send the ball into the air and toward the basket. Can you get the ball in the basket? Which of you can make the most baskets?

For more information on GSK Science in the Summer classes, visit www.scienceinthesummer.com

About GSK – GSK – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.  For further information go to us.gsk.com, follow us on twitter.com/GSKUS, or visit our blog(www.morethanmedicine.us.gsk.com/blog/). 

About The Franklin Institute – Founded in honor of America’s first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is a renowned and innovative leader in the field of science and technology learning, as well as a dynamic center of activity. It is dedicated to creating a passion for science by offering new and exciting access to science and technology in ways that would dazzle and delight its namesake. For more information, please visit www.fi.edu.

Media Contacts:

Jennifer Armstrong, GSK, (215) 751-5664 or jennifer.l.armstrong@gsk.com

Camille Dager, Harris, Baio & McCullough, (215) 440-9800 or camille@hbmadv.com

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described under Item 3.D 'Risk factors' in the company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2013.

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