PHILADELPHIA, June 17, 2016

Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum celebrates dinosaurs in a big way this fall with a fascinating exhibit featuring state-of-the-art, moving, roaring dinosaurs and many fun opportunities to meet their living relatives—birds. 

Dinosaurs Unearthed, on view June 25 through Jan. 16, is based on the latest scientific evidence of what dinosaurs looked like, how they lived and how they interacted with the world around them. Besides the amazing animatronic dinosaurs, the exhibit features interactive games and exploration for all ages.

The dinosaurs’ descendants—birds—are among some 100 animals cared for by the Academy. Visitors can see some of these live birds up close during Wild Wizarding Weekend in November, All-Star Days in December and also during select naturalist presentations throughout the season. Visit ansp.org for days and times.

For more details on the following programs and to purchase tickets, visit ansp.org.

Dinosaurs Unearthed

June 25, 2016–January 16, 2017

Roaring, moving, life-size dinosaurs invade the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University for a multi-sensory experience for the whole family. State-of-the-art and scientifically accurate—down to the feathers on T. rex—Dinosaurs Unearthed features realistic, life-size animatronic dinosaurs, fossil dinosaur skeletons, skulls, claws and horns, mosasaur and Spinosaurus teeth, an Oviraptor egg, and the ever-popular coprolite (dino poop). Visitors will experience interactive activities where they can compare their weight to different dinosaurs, control the movements of dinos, and explore predator-prey relationships through a touch table.

Philadelphia Shell Show

Saturday and Sunday, October 22 and 23, All day

Thousands of shells will be on display and for sale at the annual Philadelphia Shell Show at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. The largest show of its kind in the Northeast, the show features competitive displays by collectors, artists and amateur scientists; an international shell market of jewelry, shells, books, and artworks; and more. Members of the Philadelphia Shell Club and the Academy’s Malacology Department will be on hand to answer questions and identify shells you’ve collected during your travels.

Wild Wizarding Weekend

Friday through Sunday, November 25–27, All day

Explore the magical world of the Academy’s phenomenal beasts with a weekend of spellbinding, hands-on activities! Meet the Academy’s own live beasts and learn about the real animals that inspire your favorite wizarding stories. Take in a Bunny and Broomsticks game, make a magical wand, and take home a dragon’s egg during this wild weekend where wizards are welcome. Wear a costume and get a $2 discount at the door, or go to ansp.org and save $2.

All-Star Days

Tuesday through Friday, December 27–30, All day

Celebrate what makes the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University so popular at All-Star Days. Visit one day or each day and enjoy exciting stage shows, fascinating fossils, hands-on activities, and specimens from the museum’s famous collection of 18 million plants and animals. The All-Star Days themes are:

Dec. 27: Bugs and Butterflies Day

Experience close encounters with live beetles, cockroaches and tarantulas, and discover what makes a bug’s life extra special. If the weather outside is frightful, come warm up in the Butterflies! exhibit.

Dec. 28: Dinosaurs Unearthed Day

Explore the world of dinosaurs by getting face-to-face with their fossils and meeting living relatives of the ancient beasts. For added adventure (and an additional fee), visit Dinosaurs Unearthed and enjoy roaring, moving dinosaurs that bring the past to life.

Dec. 29: Fur, Feathers, and Scales Day

The live animals of the Academy take center stage on a day all about amazing animals. See firsthand how staff cares for the live animals, and learn from the stars of the historic dioramas.

Dec. 30: Weird-Things-In-Jars Day

Science is surprising, inspiring and sometimes downright weird. Get an up-close look at some of the Academy’s stranger specimens, and learn how scientists preserve them in jars and other ways for future research.

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