Inside The Franklin Institute with Larry Dubinski

Alan Lowe interviews Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of The Franklin Institute, as part of a series celebrating 250 years of American innovation. He joins AMSEcast to discuss the institute’s 1824 origins, its mission to inspire curiosity in science and technology, and its deep ties to Benjamin Franklin’s legacy. He highlights major exhibits, including the National Memorial, the Hamilton Collections Gallery, and historic patent models, and online series like Ingenious and The Road to 2050. Dubinski emphasizes fostering lifelong learning, diverse voices, and bold leadership to sustain innovation.

 

Episode Highlights

• (1:16) When The Franklin Institute was established and its mission
• (1:58) Why Benjamin Franklin still looms large over so many subjects
• (2:48) How Franklin’s story is preserved and presented at the institute
• (3:33) Why the Baldwin 60000 steam locomotive is such a great engineering innovation
• (6:47) Exploring the museum’s artifacts in “Ingenious: The Evolution of Innovation”
• (8:23) Why the U.S. has such an ability for creating new technologies and creative problem solving
• (9:06) How we can continue being leaders and innovators for the next 250 years

Guest Biography

Larry Dubinski is the President and CEO of The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected centers for science education. Since taking the helm in 2014, he has led major initiatives that expand the institute’s reach, modernize its exhibits, and deepen its role in inspiring curiosity about science and technology. Under his leadership, The Franklin Institute has continued to honor Benjamin Franklin’s legacy while showcasing cutting-edge innovation and educational programming. A champion of lifelong learning and public engagement in STEM, Larry brings both vision and passion to the advancement of science education.

Links Referenced

• The Franklin Institute: FiHome | The Franklin Institute https://fi.edu/