PHILADELPHIA, January 25, 2019

Science behind magical beings, beer with ancient giants, and weekends full of super animals and nature-inspired video games are coming up at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University this spring.

The special exhibition Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids continues through June 9, then makes way for the new Dinosaurs Around the World exhibit, which opens June 30. This new temporary exhibit features realistic animatronic dinosaurs and outlines their prehistoric journey from Africa to the tropical beaches of Antarctica.

The Academy stays open late once a month for Dinos After Dark, with a pop-up beer garden, and for Door 19 on April 11 and June 13. The Academy’s live animals take center stage for three exciting weekends of family science games and activities inspired by popular culture and the Academy’s mission.

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

Special Exhibit  

Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids

Saturday, February 16–Sunday, June 9, 2019

For thousands of years, people have brought mythic creatures to life through art, stories and songs. Even as scientific discoveries have drawn distinctions between myth and reality, these beasts of the land, air and water have maintained an enduring hold on our imagination. Discover how real animals such as dinosaurs, mammoths and narwhals may have stirred tales of griffins, giants and unicorns. Learn why so many legendary water spirits look like mermaids. Touch fossils, explore winged mythological creatures, build your own dragon, and come face to face with a giant legendary sea monster.

Academy Town Square

Global Shifts: Earth Through the Lens of Artist Edward Burtynsky

Co-Presented by Philadelphia Contemporary

Wednesday, April 3, 5:30 p.m.

We are now living in the era scientists have dubbed the Anthropocene, the time period when human activity is the dominant influence on climate, extinction events and the geological landscape of the planet. Celebrated Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky has spent years documenting this dilemma of our modern existence. His photographic depictions of global industrial landscapes are housed in over 60 public collections and exhibited by museums around the world. In his talk, Burtynsky will discuss works from his decades-long career, including his most recent photographic series, Anthropocene. Photographs from Anthropocene and earlier series are featured in his upcoming exhibition Megaresources, presented by Philadelphia Contemporary and opening May 2019 at Atelier FAS Gallery, 1301 N. 31st St. This Academy Town Square talk is free. To register, visit ansp.org.

Animal Superhero Weekend

Saturday-Sunday, April 6-7, All day

Saturday–Sunday, April 13-14, 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 Weekend 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 training camp.

Access to Science: Opening Doors to Autism

Sunday, April 7, 9 a.m.–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 https://bit.ly/2DP2BKn. To pre-register, contact 215-299-1060 or ANS_reservations@drexel.edu. Same-day registration also is available onsite.

Door 19: Clams Casino Royale

Thursday, April 11, 6-9:30 p.m.

Curated for the curious, Door 19 is an evening soiree featuring quirky science, potent libations, off-script tours and more. The theme for this adults-only Door 19 is “Clams Casino Royale.” Participants will enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the Academy’s Malacology and Ornithology Collections, alongside experts who will bring the coolest specimens out to play. Great food and drink, music, and unique activities await the adventurous. For details and to purchase a ticket, visit ansp.org.

Academy Science Camp

Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday, April 18, 19, 22 and 23

Kids ages 5-12 can spend spring break at the Academy with Academy Science Camp. Each day includes a live presentation by one of the Academy’s teacher-naturalists, an exploration of Academy exhibits, and campers-only games, crafts and activities. Fee: Members $60 per camper per day, $235 per camper for all four days; nonmembers $65 per camper per day, $245 per camper for all four days. Before and after care available. For more information and to register, visit http://bit.ly/2FVjpMQ.

Dinos After Dark

Friday, April 26

Museum open 4 p.m.–8 p.m., Dino Drafts Beer Garden open 4 p.m.–8 p.m. or 10 p.m. (depending on weather)

Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum is open late tonight with pay-as you-wish admission, a pop-up Dino Drafts beer garden with food, live animal presentations, and fun hands-on activities. The Academy welcomes adults and also families with kids to enjoy the museum after dark. Suggested donation: $10. Partial proceeds from Dino Drafts benefit the Academy.

Academy Town Square

Cold Hard Science in Antarctica: A Paleontology Adventure

Presented with WHYY’s The Pulse

Tuesday, April 30, 6:30 p.m.

What’s it like to dig for fossils in one of the most inhospitable places on earth? Academy Curator of Paleontology Ted Daeschler recently returned from his second action-packed expedition to Antarctica in search of Devonian-age fish. Join Daeschler in his conversation with Maiken Scott, host of WHYY’s The Pulse, as he reveals the complex logistics and challenging conditions he and his team endured to reach a treasure trove of fossils they hope will shed new light on the origins of life. This Academy Town Square talk is free. To register, visit ansp.org.

Mother’s Day Special

Sunday, May 12

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 17

Museum open 4 p.m.–8 p.m., Dino Drafts Beer Garden open 4 p.m.–8 p.m. or 10 p.m. (depending on weather)

Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum is open late tonight with pay-as you-wish admission, a pop-up Dino Drafts beer garden with food in Dinosaur Hall, live animal presentations, and fun hands-on activities. The Academy welcomes adults and also families with kids to enjoy the museum after dark. Suggested donation: $10. Partial proceeds from Dino Drafts benefit the Academy.

Videogame Weekend

Saturday-Sunday, May 18-19, All day

Join us at the Academy to explore technology in natural history, and the natural history of technology! Learn how digital modeling helps us understand watersheds, climate change, and animal behavior. Meet the REAL angry birds, and check out the plants, animals, and insects of Minecraft, Fortnite, Pokémon, and other popular games.

Access to Science: Opening Doors to Autism

Saturday, June 1, 9 a.m.–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 https://bit.ly/2DP2BKn. To pre-register, contact 215-299-1060 or ANS_reservations@drexel.edu. Same-day registration also is available onsite.

Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids Closing Weekend

Saturday-Sunday, June 8-9, All day

This the final weekend to see the exhibit Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids. This weekend visitors will get to examine special displays of specimens from the Academy’s famous research collection, conjure up unicorn poop soap slime, examine sea monkeys, write with squid ink, discover what happens when kraken are let loose, and enjoy live animal shows based on mythical creatures.

Door 19: Traditional Medicinals

Thursday, June 13, 6-9:30 p.m.

Curated for the curious, Door 19 is an evening soiree featuring quirky science, potent libations, off-script tours and more. The theme for this adults-only Door 19 is “Traditional Medicinals.” Participants will enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the Academy’s Botany Collection and the Mineral Vault, alongside experts who will bring the coolest specimens out to play. Great food and drink, music, and unique activities await the adventurous. For details and to purchase a ticket, visit ansp.org.

Father’s Day Special

Sunday, June 16

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.

Totally Turtles Weekend

Saturday-Sunday, June 22-23, All day

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.

Dinos After Dark

Friday, June 28

Museum open 4 p.m.–8 p.m., Dino Drafts Beer Garden open 4 p.m.–8 p.m. or 10 p.m. (depending on weather)

Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum is open late tonight with pay-as you-wish admission, a pop-up Dino Drafts beer garden with food in Dinosaur Hall, live animal presentations, and fun hands-on activities. The Academy welcomes adults and also families with kids to enjoy the museum after dark. Suggested donation: $10. Partial proceeds from Dino Drafts benefit the Academy.

Special Exhibit

Dinosaurs Around the World

Sunday, June 30–Monday, January 20, 2020

Embark on a globetrotting expedition where dinosaurs reign throughout the land. Dinosaurs Around the World introduces visitors to more than a dozen animatronic dinosaurs on a voyage from the ferocious plains of Africa and the tropical beaches of Antarctica, to the inland seas of North America and the polar darkness of Australia. Find out how continental drift, sea level fluctuations and volcanic activity allowed dinosaurs to disperse to all corners of the globe. Learn about paleontological research, touch fossil casts, discover and name your own dinosaur, investigate what dinosaurs may have looked like in life, and find modern-day dinosaurs right in your own backyard.

###