PHILADELPHIA, December 6, 2016

Dinosaurs, weird specimens in jars, new live animal shows, and the coolest cockroaches you can imagine are all in store for All-Star Days, Tuesday, Dec. 27 through Friday, Dec. 30 at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

For four days, the Academy celebrates its most popular family programs with engaging activities, rare fossil displays, weird animal, and crafts to create and take home. Each day features a different nature theme, so there’s plenty to do by coming more than once to All-Star Days.

And, for the first time in memory, the Academy will be open on New Year’s Day, Sunday, Jan. 1.

Here are highlights of each All-Star Day. For more details and to purchase discounted tickets online, visit ansp.org.

Bugs and Butterflies Day

Tuesday, Dec. 27

Experience up-close encounters with live beetles, cockroaches, and tarantulas and discover what makes a bug’s life extra special. Meet the Academy’s furry, feathery and scaly live animals in Animals of the Academy shows at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Bugs on the Big Screen at 1 p.m. features a technology-enabled close-up look at awesome live arachnids, magnificent mantids and cool cockroaches. Enjoy story time with Marty the Moose at 2 p.m. and take your picture as a specimen, complete with a Latin name on a label that you can take home. See ansp.org for more details.

Dinosaurs Unearthed Day

Wednesday, Dec. 28

Come face-to-face with the living relatives of dinosaurs, see real fossils up close, and explore the world of the dinosaurs all day at the Academy. At the 1 p.m. Dandy Dinos and Bodacious Birds live animal show, learn about reptiles through the ages and meet some fine -feathered friends that are related to dinosaurs. Explore real dinosaur fossils, enjoy story time with Marty the Moose at 2 p.m., and make your own 3-D dinosaur friend to take home. For added adventure, purchase tickets to see Dinosaurs Unearthed and enjoy roaring, moving dinosaurs that bring the past to life. See ansp.org for more details.

Fur, Feathers, and Scales Day

Thursday, Dec. 29

The Academy’s live animals take center stage on a day all about amazing animals. See firsthand how the keepers take care of the animals and learn about the captivating stars of the dioramas. Meet the Academy’s furry, feathery and scaly live animals in Animals of the Academy shows at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Colorful Creatures show at 1 p.m. explores the cool camouflage and crazy colors the museum’s live animals use to blend in or to stand out. Don’t miss the rat training demonstration at 2 p.m. and make an awesome animal mask to take home. See ansp.org for more details.

Weird-Things-In-Jars Day

Friday, Dec. 30

Science is surprising, inspiring and sometimes downright weird. Get an up-close look at the weirdest, wettest and wackiest preserved animals and learn how scientists preserve them in jars and other ways for future research. At the 1 p.m. Wild Weirdos show, find out which of the Academy’s live animals have the strangest adaptations and behaviors. At 2 p.m. it’s Armadillo Romp Time, when you can observe the armadillo’s odd feeding habits. Design a diorama to take home. See ansp.org for more details.

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