PHILADELPHIA, April 12, 2018

This summer the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University celebrates the wonders of the insect world with a special exhibit of giant moving creatures and a festival of decidedly smaller living insects in the hundreds.

Xtreme Bugs, on view May 26 through Jan. 21, features an array of colorful animatronic insects that reveal the mind-boggling behaviors and intricate structures of bugs most of us never notice in the miniature. On the weekend of Aug. 11 and 12, the annual Bug Fest fills the museum with activities, special displays, and the opportunity everyone needs on a hot summer day: sampling insect food fare.

The Academy will be open until 8 p.m. with a beer garden and pay-as-you-wish admission once a month this summer. Now is the time to register kids and teens for summer camp, and the Academy has experiences to suit a variety of interests.

Here is the schedule of exhibits and events for July, August and September. For details, updates and discounted tickets, visit ansp.org.

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. Meet the insect keeper and a live insect at 11:45 a.m. every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

Dino-mite Summer

July 1–August 31

Explore your world and the life of dinosaurs at the Academy’s action-packed Dino-mite Summer. Meet living dinosaurs (birds!); get messy making a marvelous mixture, take a closer look at incredible live bugs, share a belly laugh with Marty the Moose during story time, and more. All activities are free with museum admission. For a daily schedule of activities, visit ansp.org.

Academy Science Camp

Monday, July 9–Friday, August 31, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Academy Science Camp invites kids ages 5-12 to experience natural science in a fun and engaging way. Each week of camp explores an exciting new theme and features an off-site field trip. From fossils to the myths and legends of animals to dino-mite discoveries, check out the camp themes to find the best fit for your child’s interests. For more details and to register, visit ansp.org or call 215-299-1060.

Choose from:

• July 9–13: Dynamic Dinosaurs
• July 16–20: The World of T. rex
• July 23-27: Scales and Tails
• July 30–August 3: Animal Myths and Legends
• August 6–10: Prehistoric Pals
• August 13–17: Buggin’ Out
• August 20–24: Dino-mite Discovery
• August 27–31: Explore the Outdoors

Tiny Tot Explorers

Wednesdays, July 11–August 29, 11 a.m.–Noon

At Tiny Tot Explorers, kids ages 2–5 and their favorite adult can explore nature through songs, games, hands-on fun, and museum adventures. Register for a single session or more. Session size is limited to 10 adult/child pairs. For more details and to register, visit ansp.org or call 215-299-1060. Session themes are:

• July 11: Teddy Bear Picnic
• July 18: Dynamic Dinosaurs
• July 25: Mushy Gushy Science
• August 1: Fossil Frenzy
• August 8: Bodacious Birds
• August 15: What’s in the Dirt?
• August 22: Dino-Mite Discovery
• August 29: Creative Camouflage

Dinos After Dark, Featuring Ballet X

Tuesday, July 17, 4-8 p.m., Outdoor Beer Garden open til 10 p.m.

Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum is open late tonight with pay-as you-wish admission, a pop-up beer garden with food, live animal presentations, and a special performance by Ballet X, Philadelphia’s contemporary ballet company. The Academy welcomes adults and also families to enjoy the museum after regular hours. Dino Drafts: The Academy Beer Garden will be set up outside, and live animal shows will take place. Suggested donation: $10. Save time at check in and preregister online: https://bit.ly/2JBlz6c.

Academy Animal Husbandry Program for Teens

July–August, Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Kids ages 12–16 will get hands-on animal care experience during this unique summer program for animal lovers. Participants will learn about the care of the Academy’s live animals and assist keepers and educators in the general husbandry, feeding and training of mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates. Each week is geared to advancing skills. For more details and to register, visit ansp.org or call 215-299-1060

• July 16–20: Animal Training and Husbandry: Beginner
• July 23-27: Animal Training and Husbandry: Advanced
• August 13-17: Invertebrate Husbandry

Academy Expedition Program

Monday-Friday, July 30–August 3, 9:30am-3:30pm

The Academy Expedition Program, for ages 12–16, is the passport for a week of exploration and fun discovering the natural world. Participants will take a field trip with the Academy every day. Whether  hiking through the wilderness to test survival skills, unearthing cretaceous fossils, or using muscles to scale a rock wall, this weeklong camp has something for everyone. Each teen receives an Academy backpack and water bottle with registration. For more details and to register, visit ansp.org or call 215-299-1060.

Bug Fest

Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12

Celebrate insects of all kinds at the Academy’s popular annual Bug Fest festival. Enjoy hundreds of live insects, conversations with Academy entomologists, bug tastings, and rewarding activities museum visitors have picked as their favorites over the years. Eat a cooked bug; examine the scariest and grossest insects up close; commune with a cockroach creating a painting; enjoying live bug shows; make an awesome buggy craft to take home. For a full list of activities, visit ansp.org.

Dinos After Dark

Thursday, August 23, 4-8 p.m., Outdoor Beer Garden open til 10 p.m.

Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum is open late tonight with pay-as you-wish admission, a pop-up beer garden with food, live animal presentations, and fun hands-on activities. The Academy welcomes adults and also families to enjoy the museum after regular hours. Dino Drafts: The Academy Beer Garden will be set up outside, and live animal shows will take place at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Suggested donation: $10. Save time at check in and preregister online: https://bit.ly/2JBlz6c.

Dinos After Dark

Friday, September 28, 4-8 p.m., Outdoor Beer Garden open til 10 p.m.

Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum is open late tonight with pay-as you-wish admission, a pop-up beer garden with food, live animal presentations, and fun hands-on activities. The Academy welcomes adults and also families to enjoy the museum after regular hours. Dino Drafts: The Academy Beer Garden will be set up outside, and live animal shows will take place. Suggested donation: $10. Save time at check in and preregister online: https://bit.ly/2JBlz6c.

###

For images, visit the Press Room or contact the Public Relations Office.

News media contact: