PHILADELPHIA, February 24, 2015

Summer is a great time to explore nature, and Bug Fest, summer camp and an exhibit about the squishiest, stinkiest, slimiest creatures on Earth offer some wonderful ways to do that at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

Bug Fest, Aug. 8 and 9, is the Academy’s most popular festival and features hundreds of live insects, hands-on family activities, discussions with Academy entomologists, and the chance to taste some creepy crawlies, which are actually nutritious.

The new Animal Grossology exhibit delves into the squishy, stinky, slimy habits of the animal kingdom. From poop to pellets and scales to hairballs, the exhibit celebrates all the things that can’t be discussed at the dinner table.  

And there’s more. For details and updates about the following programs, please visit ansp.org. Museum admission can be purchased in advance at http://ansp.org/visit/plan/tickets/.

Animal Grossology

May 16–August 30

Special Exhibits Gallery

Experience the squishiest, stinkiest and slimiest creatures on Earth in Animal Grossology at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Based on the best-selling children’s book series Grossology by Sylvia Branzei, this exhibit oozes with disgusting science and entertaining hands-on learning games. Find out why cows chew cud and how snail and slug slime could lead to a treatment for cystic fibrosis. From poop to pellets and scales to hairballs, celebrate all the things that can’t be discussed at the dinner table. Fee in addition to regular museum admission.

Clearly Beautiful: Photographs by Adam Summers
June 6–September 25

Art of Science Gallery

The large, revealing images of Clearly Beautiful: Photographs by Adam Summers depict the striking results of a common method of studying animal anatomy called clearing and staining. To achieve the beautifully detailed inner skeletal tissues of fish, the photographer, University of Washington biology professor Adam Summers, soaked the specimens in different dyes and enzymes, rendering the soft tissues transparent and the harder tissues deep blue and crimson. Each step of the process is described and illustrated through more photographs and fish specimens from the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Free with regular museum admission.

Tapping Our Watershed

Monday, June 15, 6 p.m.

National Mechanics, 22 South 3rd St., Philadelphia

In this informal science café, Tom Davidock, senior coordinator for the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, will discuss “Protecting the Delaware Estuary One Beer at a Time: How Creative Partnerships with Breweries Are Helping Keep Our Water Clean.” The monthly Tapping Our Watershed is free and is organized by the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Talks are for people age 21 and older; those under 21 must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 25.

Academy Explorers Camp

Monday–Friday, July and August, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Academy Explorers Camp at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University offers children ages 5–12 a unique, fun and engaging experience. Each week of camp explores an exciting new theme and features an off-site field trip, plus all the museum has to offer—from dinosaurs to preserved specimens to live animals. For details, visit ansp.org or call 215-299-1060.

Camp Dates and Topics

July 6–10 Animal Inventions

Tap into your inner inventor as you observe nature and design something new inspired by animal attributes.

July 13–17 Inside-Out

Discover what makes animals (including you) tick, and figure out how bones, organs, blood and guts work together.

July 20–24 The World of T. rex

Travel back in time to explore the world of Tyrannosaurus rex and meet the live descendants of these ancient beasts.

July 27–31 Slimy Science

Wiggle with worms and squirm with salamanders to inspire your inner scientist with these icky, slimy experiments.

August 3–7 Dino-lympics

Join the feathered frenzy, challenge yourself and discover how well you’d measure up to the dinosaurs.

August 10–14 Bugstravaganza

Journey deep into the dirt and observe the world from a bug’s point of view. Get up close and personal with some real live creepy crawlies.

August 17–21 Behind the Scenes

Become the ultimate Academy insider. Explore the museum’s rarely seen collections, meet Academy scientists and try your hand at some seriously fun science.

August 24–28 Animal Grossology

Get a closer look at animals and the disgusting things they do. Learn how puke, poop and pellets can be fun, funky and fascinating.

Tiny Tot Explorers

Wednesdays, July 8–August 19, 11 a.m.–noon

Tiny Tot Explorers is a program for 3 to 5 year olds and their favorite adults, where the littlest campers have the biggest fun. Each week participants discover an exciting new theme through games, crafts, songs and museum adventures. Register for a single session or the entire series. For details, visit ansp.org or call 215-299-1060.

Appreciation Day: Police, Firefighters and the Office of Emergency Management
Thursday, August 6, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

The Philadelphia Police Department, Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management have a special day of activities and presentations for visitors to the Academy of Natural Sciences on this day set aside to show appreciation for their bravery and service. Meet the men and women of these forces; get fire prevention tips; learn emergency preparedness; learn what it takes to become a police officer; meet McGruff the Crime Dog and more. For details, visit ansp.org.

Bug Fest

Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Celebrate insects of all kinds—and taste a few—at the annual Bug Fest at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Cheer on a favorite cockroach in the Roach Race 500, talk with Academy entomologists, examine hundreds of live bugs up close, get your face painted, and enjoy other fun activities. Free with museum admission.

Philadelphia Geek Awards

Saturday, Aug. 15, Evening

The Philadelphia Geek Awards is an annual black-tie, red-carpet ceremony hosted by Geekadelphia and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. It honors geeks in the greater Philadelphia region who have made major contributions in their fields, including game developers, comic book artists, social media marketers, and others. Fee. Registration is required. For details, visit ansp.org and geekadelphia.com.

Academy Explorers Camp

Monday through Thursday, September 21–24, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is offering a special fall Academy Explorers Camp when schools are affected by the visit of Pope Francis. Academy Explorers Camp offers children ages 5–12 a unique, fun and engaging experience with science and the many exhibits the museum has to offer. The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with optional before and after care. For details, visit ansp.org or call 215-299-1060.

Reptiles: The Beautiful and the Deadly

September 28, 2015–January 10, 2016

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