What we’re about
PSW Science is a leading science education organization in Washington, DC. Founded in 1871 as the Philosophical Society of Washington®, PSW Science® brings speakers from around the world to present the latest scientific research to the Society’s members and interested members of the public. For almost 150 years, the Society has been a forum for the discussion of the scientific topics of the day, of interest to all educated men and women, and the Society proudly continues that tradition to the present. Membership in the Society is open to anyone interested in science and the purposes of the Society.
PSW Science events – meetings with an invited speaker – generally are held every other Friday from September to June. Meetings are held in the John Wesley Powell Auditorium of the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC. The Society hosts a dinner with the speaker before the meeting to which PSW Science members are invited. The meetings are open to the public, free of charge, and reservations are not required. Dress is casual. Meetings are live-streamed via the PSW Science YouTube channel, and videos of the meetings are posted to the PSW Science website. Following the meeting, attendees enjoy refreshments during the “social hour” and informal discussion with the speaker and other members.
PSW, PSW SCIENCE, PSW SCIENCE FOUNDED 1871, PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON, and the blue globe logo are registered trademarks of PSW Science. The PSW Science rosette is a trademark of PSW Science.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- SPHEREx: An All-sky Infrared Spectral Survey Explorer SatelliteThe John Wesley Powell Auditorium, adjacent to the Cosmos Club, 20008, DC
Join PSW Science® on April 25th at 8 PM as we welcome speaker James Bock, Marvin L. Goldberger Professor of Physics and Jet Propulsion Laboratory Senior Research Scientist at Caltech. SPHEREx is an all-sky survey satellite launching in early 2025. A mission in NASA’s Medium Explorer (MIDEX) program, it will probe the physics of cosmic inflation, chart the origin and history of galaxy formation, and study the origin of water and biogenic molecules in ices in interstellar space. During the question and answer period, in-person attendees and live stream viewers may ask the speaker questions, and in-person attendees may also engage with the speaker during the post-lecture reception. Refreshments are served. For more information on this meeting, please visit: https://pswscience.org/meeting/2514/
The meeting will be held in the John Wesley Powell Auditorium, adjacent to the Cosmos Club. The Powell Auditorium is located at 2170 Florida Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008. Use of the Cosmos Club is restricted to the Powell Auditorium, the entryway to the auditorium, and the restrooms immediately outside the auditorium. Please note there is no onsite parking available. A live stream is also available: https://youtube.com/live/u-458WR5RzA
PSW Science, founded in 1871, is one of the oldest scientific societies in Washington D.C. Now, over 150 years later, we celebrate the Society's rich history and contributions to scientific discovery and cross-disciplinary collaboration. For information on how to become a member of PSW Science and membership benefits, please visit https://pswscience.org/join/
