January 23, 2018

Giant moving insects, live alligators, beer with your dinosaurs, and evening behind-the-scenes access to the research collections await this spring at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

In addition, don’t miss the rare opportunity to watch two of the museum’s famous dioramas spring to life with activity as conservators clean and renovate every inch of the Takin and Gorilla habitat scenes while visitors watch.

Crocs: Ancient Predators in a Modern World, featuring amazing live alligators and crocodiles, runs through May 6. Then Xtreme Bugs opens May 26 with an array of giant, colorful animatronic insects that reveal the mind-boggling behaviors and intricate structures of bugs most of us never notice.

The Academy recently started evening hours—and a pop-up beer garden in Dinosaur Hall—on the fourth Friday of each month. And Door 19, on April 12 and June 14, offers an oddly charming evening that will forever change how you think about science.

Here is the schedule of exhibits and events for April, May and June. For details, updates and discounted tickets, visit ansp.org.

Special Exhibits Gallery

Crocs: Ancient Predators in a Modern World

Saturday, February 3–Sunday, May 6

Come face-to-snout with live crocodilians, a group of reptiles that has evolved and thrived for 200 million years thanks to their brute strength, keen senses, and murderous instincts. Today’s crocs range from diminutive forest dwellers to monstrous creatures that eat wildebeests, buffaloes, and occasionally people. Crocs: Ancient Predators in a Modern World features numerous live species, including a Siamese crocodile and Albino American alligator. Visitors can learn to speak croc in under five minutes, test their strength against a croc’s bite, view skulls, make water dance, and create a 3-D animation of a long-extinct croc. Get the facts on croc attacks and understand how humans and crocs can peacefully coexist.

Diorama Renovations

Monday, March 5–Wednesday, April 25

Two of the Academy’s classic dioramas are getting a makeover, and visitors can watch. Conservators and other experts will clean and renovate every inch of the beautiful Takin and Gorilla dioramas for the first time since they were installed decades ago. Visitors will be able to peer through large viewing windows into the temporary workspaces as the renovations progress. It will be a unique opportunity to see what the dioramas look like without glass and to examine the scientific and artistic elements as the conservators take the habitat scenes apart and put them back together. Note: Some days the conservators will not be working. Check ansp.org for the latest schedule.

Academy Science Camp

Monday–Wednesday, April 2–4, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Kids ages 5-12 can spend spring break at the Academy with Spring Break Camp. Each day includes a live presentation by one of the Academy’s teacher-naturalists, an exploration of Academy exhibits (including Outside In, Butterflies!, and the Big Dig) and campers-only games, crafts and activities. Fee: $60 Members per day, $65 Nonmembers per day. Before and after care available. For more information and to register, visit http://bit.ly/2FVjpMQ

Tiny Tot Explorers

Wednesdays in April 3–May 15, 11 a.m.–Noon

At Tiny Tot Explorers, kids 2–5 years old, and their favorite adult, can explore nature through songs, games, hands-on fun, and museum adventures. Fee: $20 for Academy members per adult/child pair per session, $25 nonmembers per adult/child pair per session. For more information and to register, visit ansp.org. Session themes are:

• April 4: Magnificent Mammals
• April 11: Amazing Amphibians
• April 18: Bugs & Butterflies
• April 25: Trees, Leaves, and Seeds

Animal Superhero Weekend

Saturdays and Sundays, April 7–8 and April 14–15, All day

How much do the superheroes of the animal kingdom inspire the superheroes (and supervillains) of comic books and movies? Find out at the Academy’s Animal Superhero Weekends and learn how animals influence Spider-Man, Catwoman and other notable characters. Explore the real-life super abilities of animals from around the world with specially themed live animal shows, activity stations, and crafts. Dress in your favorite superhero costume and receive $2 off general admission.

Academy Town Square

How the Urban Jungle Drives Evolution

Wednesday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. Free

Dutch evolutionary biologist Menno Schilthuizen explains the fascinating ways in which animals and plants adapt to the man-made cityscape and how this environment, in fact, speeds up evolution. His examples are fun and fascinating: Europe’s urban blackbirds sing at a higher pitch than their rural cousins, to be heard over the din of traffic; in Sendai, Japan, carrion crows have learned to use passing traffic to crack nuts. In April Schilthuizen’s new book on the topic—Darwin Comes To Town: How the Urban Jungle Drives Evolution—will be published. He will sign copies of his book at this free Academy Town Square. To register, visit ansp.org.

Door 19: Off the Hook

Thursday, April 12, 6–9 p.m.

Knock 3.14159 times on Door 19 for admission to an oddly charming evening that will forever change how you think about science. Curated for the curious, Door 19 is quirky science meets themed soiree, set against a backdrop of live performances, music, potent libations, and dinosaurs. For only four nights this year, you will have the chance to go beyond the Academy’s galleries and into specimen collections off-limits to visitors, alongside experts who will bring the coolest specimens out to play. The Academy’s rogue scientists will go a little bit off script to share their most incredible knowledge—from prohibition-era mixology to dinosaur foreplay. You’ll be reminded that no, in fact, you haven’t seen it all—far from it. To purchase tickets, visit http://bit.ly/2rnHRTH.

Night in the Museum

Saturday, April 21, 6:30 p.m. –9 a.m.

Experience the Academy of Natural Sciences’ dinosaurs after dark at this activity-filled sleepover. Go on an ancient adventure; take a flashlight tour of the special exhibit Crocs: Ancient Predators in a Modern World and see what the live creatures are up to after the sun goes down. Sshow off your paleo-skills during hands-on games and activities; and make a “jacket” for a fossil to take home. Then roll out a sleeping bag under T. rex and have sweet dreams. Ages 6 and up; one adult is required per three children. Members $60, non-members $65, VIP (Very Important Paleontologist) $89. Details visit ansp.org or call 215-299-1060.

Celebrate Earth Day

April 22

Celebrate Earth Day at the Academy and learn what you can do to be a better steward of the environment. See a range of specimens from the Academy’s world-renowned collection and conduct a variety of experiments including one where you’ll learn about cleaning up an oil spill. Take home easy tips on how to make positive changes in the home and community.

Dinos After Dark

Friday, April 27, 5-8 p.m.

Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum is open late tonight with pay-as you-wish admission, a pop-up beer garden with food in Dinosaur Hall, live animal presentations, and fun hands-on activities. The Academy welcomes adults and also families to enjoy the museum after dark! Dino Drafts: The Academy Beer Garden will be set up among the dinosaurs, and live animal shows will take place at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Suggested donation: $10. Partial proceeds from Dino Drafts benefit the Academy. Dinos After Dark takes place the fourth Friday of each month.

WINS 35

Wednesday, May 9, 5–8 p.m.

It’s the 35th anniversary of the Academy’s award-winning Women In Natural Sciences program, which has introduced hundreds of Philadelphia high school girls to future careers in science. To celebrate, the Academy is holding a special event and fundraiser, called WINS35. The event features WINS alumni who are now science professionals. The keynote speaker is Lisa Dyson, cofounder and CEO of Kiverdi an agriculture technology company. For tickets, visit ansp.org.

Mother’s Day Special

Sunday, May 13

Bring your favorite adult to the Academy for free and celebrate Mother’s Day together. Enjoy the towering dinosaurs, live animal shows, live tropical butterflies, and all your favorite exhibits. Discover some you’ve never seen before.

Dinos After Dark

Friday, May 25, 5-8 p.m.

Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum is open late tonight with pay-as you-wish admission, a pop-up beer garden with food in Dinosaur Hall, live animal presentations, and fun hands-on activities. The Academy welcomes adults and also families to enjoy the museum after dark! Dino Drafts: The Academy Beer Garden will be set up among the dinosaurs, and live animal shows will take place at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Suggested donation: $10. Partial proceeds from Dino Drafts benefit the Academy. Dinos After Dark takes place the fourth Friday of each month.

Xtreme Bugs

Saturday, May 26–January 21, 2019

Experience the mind-boggling behaviors and surprisingly intricate structures of bugs through 20 giant colorful animatronic insects. From a fluttering oversized monarch butterfly to a gigantic Madagascar hissing cockroach, the exaggerated size of these creatures shines a creative spotlight on what makes them “extreme.” Xtreme Bugs blends technology, science, artistry and imagination to capture the most unusual aspects of the insect world. Visitors will get a bug’s-eye view of their world, explore critter calls, dig for ancient arthropods, and play a bug facts game. Each day, a live insect will be on view for close-up inspection.

Totally Turtles Weekend

Saturday–Sunday, June 9–10

Come out of your shell to celebrate all things turtle, tortoise, and terrapin! Discover how this amazing order of hard-shelled survivors lived in the past and thrives in the present. From pizza-loving cartoon ninjas to real-life turtles that live at the Academy, come learn all about these “heroes in a half shell” with special crafts, demonstrations, and touchable specimens.

Access to Science: Opening Doors to Autism

Sunday, June 10, 9–11 a.m.

Children on the autism spectrum and their families are invited to experience the museum when there are fewer people, starting an hour before the regular opening. Museum Stories (images and descriptions of the exhibits) can be downloaded before the visit at http://www.ansp.org/visit/plan/accessibility. Preregistration is required; contact Visitor Services at 215-299-1060 or ANS_reservations@drexel.edu. Same-day registration is available onsite.

Door 19: Boozy Botanicals

Thursday, June 14, 6–9 p.m.

Knock 3.14159 times on Door 19 for admission to an oddly charming evening that will forever change how you think about science. Curated for the curious, Door 19 is quirky science meets themed soiree, set against a backdrop of live performances, music, potent libations, and dinosaurs. For only four nights this year, you will have the chance to go beyond the Academy’s galleries and into specimen collections off-limits to visitors, alongside experts who will bring the coolest specimens out to play. The Academy’s rogue scientists will go a little bit off script to share their most incredible knowledge—from prohibition-era mixology to dinosaur foreplay. You’ll be reminded that no, in fact, you haven’t seen it all—far from it. To purchase tickets, visit http://bit.ly/2rnHRTH.

Father’s Day Special

Sunday, June 17

Bring your favorite adult to the Academy for free and celebrate Father’s Day together. Enjoy the towering dinosaurs, live animal shows, live tropical butterflies, and all your favorite exhibits. Discover some you’ve never seen before.

Dinos After Dark

Friday, June 22, 5-8 p.m.

Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum is open late tonight with pay-as you-wish admission, a pop-up beer garden with food in Dinosaur Hall, live animal presentations, and fun hands-on activities. The Academy welcomes adults and also families to enjoy the museum after dark! Dino Drafts: The Academy Beer Garden will be set up among the dinosaurs, and live animal shows will take place at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Suggested donation: $10. Partial proceeds from Dino Drafts benefit the Academy. Dinos After Dark takes place the fourth Friday of each month.

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