PHILADELPHIA, October 22, 2019

This winter the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University will present two new special exhibitions that showcase the remarkable diversity and beauty of the natural world and prompt us to think about the future we want to create.

Survival of the Slowest, opening Saturday, Feb. 15, explores the fascinating adaptations animals have evolved over millions of years in order to avoid being someone else’s lunch. Visitors will get close to live animals—including a sloth and panther chameleon—and learn how being slow can be an advantage. This exhibit is in both Spanish and English.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year opens Sunday, March 29 with 100 outstanding photographs that tell thought-provoking stories about our planet and prompt us to think differently about the natural world. Organized and produced by the Natural History Museum in London, the exhibit is the result of one of the longest running and most prestigious photography competitions in the world.

These exhibits and a range of exciting programs for families and adults are coming up this winter. For more information about the events below and to purchase discount tickets online, visit ansp.org.

New Year’s Day

Wednesday, January 1

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University will be closed for the New Year’s Day holiday.

Special Exhibit

Dinosaurs Around the World

Through Monday, January 20

Embark on a globetrotting expedition around Pangea, where dinosaurs reign throughout the land. Dinosaurs Around the World introduces visitors to a dozen moving, roaring 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.

Dinos After Dark

Friday, January 24, 4 p.m.–8 p.m.

Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum is open late tonight with pay-as you-wish admission, a pop-up Dino Drafts beer garden with food, and fun 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.

Access to Science: Opening Doors to Autism

Sunday, January 26, 9–11 a.m.

Visitors on the autism spectrum and their families are invited to experience the museum during this early opening before the crowds. Visit with the dinosaurs, explore Outside In and wander through the dioramas at your own pace. Preregistration required. For details visit ansp.org or call 215-299-1060.

Special Exhibit

Survival of the Slowest

Saturday, February 15–Sunday, September 20

Sometimes being slow or adept at hiding can be an animal’s best survival strategy. Survival of the Slowest explores the fascinating adaptations certain animals have evolved over millions of years in order to avoid being someone else’s lunch. Get up close to a dozen live species including a sloth, panther chameleon, Gouldian finches, iguana, green tree python, and pancake tortoise. Talk with the animal keeper and observe the animals being fed. Discover how being slow and small can be an advantage in the wild over being fast and big. This exhibit is in Spanish and English. The Academy is only the exhibit’s second showing in the U.S.

Access to Science: Opening Doors to Autism

Sunday, February 23, 9–11 a.m.

Visitors on the autism spectrum and their families are invited to experience the museum during this early opening before the crowds. Visit with the dinosaurs, explore Outside In, the hands-on children’s discovery center, and wander through the dioramas at your own pace. Preregistration required. For details visit ansp.org or call 215-299-1060.

Door 19: Sippin’ With Sloths

Wednesday, February 27, 6-9 p.m.

Slam the brakes, slow your roll and slide on over to the Academy of Natural Sciences: live sloths are coming for an adults-only cocktail party. Curated for the curious, Door 19 is quirky science meets themed soiree, set against a backdrop of live performances, music, open bar, and dinosaurs. At this themed event, participants will explore the unexpected adaptations that give animals an edge, from slowness to senescence. Go behind the scenes with scientists into the Academy’s famous collections. Learn about the slow food movement and conservation condoms, and cheer on your favorite competitor in the tortoise and the hare race. For more information and to register, visit ansp.org.

Dinos After Dark

Friday, February 28, 4 p.m.–8 p.m.

Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum is open late tonight with pay-as you-wish admission, a pop-up Dino Drafts beer garden with food, and fun 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.

The Real James Bond: Philly, Spies and the Academy of Natural Sciences

Tuesday, March 3, 6:30 p.m.

International man of mystery or humble birdwatcher? Academy of Natural Sciences’ ornithologist James Bond and 007 namesake, is the subject of a new book called “The Real James Bond” by New Jersey author and birder Jim Wright. Hear about the fascinating life of the acclaimed scientist who was an Academy curator in the 1920s and have your book signed by the author. To purchase tickets, visit ansp.org.

Paleopalooza

Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Celebrate dinosaurs and scads of other fossils at this fun annual festival of gigantic proportions. Explore the world of dinosaurs as you examine rare fossils up close that were pulled from the Academy’s world-famous collection just for this festival. Talk with Academy paleontologists, meet live birds, take guided tours of Dinosaur Hall, and enjoy games, crafts and other activities that are guaranteed to enlighten even the wisest (and youngest) dinosaur experts in the family.

Founders Day

Saturday, March 21, All day

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is offering pay-what-you-wish admission to celebrate the founding of the oldest natural history museum in the Americas. This special offer includes admission to the whole museum, including Dinosaur Hall, Outside In, Butterflies! and our limited-time special exhibit Survival of the Slowest. Recommended donation is $10 per person. The Academy was founded March 21, 1812 for “the encouragement and cultivation of the sciences and the advancement of useful learning.” Today the Academy is a leading natural history museum and the place to discover towering dinosaurs, experience a working fossil preparation lab, stroll among live butterflies, see live animal shows, participate in hands-on activities, see special exhibits, and more.

Night in the Museum

Saturday, March 21, 6:30 p.m.–Sunday, March 22, 9 a.m.

Enjoy a night of hands-on activities, then roll out a sleeping bag and have sweet dreams. Ages 6 and up; one adult is required per three children. Members $60, non-members $65, VIP (Very Important Paleontologist) $89. For details visit ansp.org or call 215-299-1060.

Water Weekend

Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22, All day

Enjoy a weekend of fun and fascinating water conservation activities for the whole family. Get inspired by and take action to take care of our most precious resource. Academy scientists and educators will guide visitors through hands-on activities, introduce the latest Academy water quality research, and provide opportunities to get involved outside of the Academy.

Dinos After Dark

Friday, March 27, 4 p.m.–8 p.m.

Philadelphia’s dinosaur museum is open late tonight with pay-as you-wish admission, a pop-up Dino Drafts beer garden with food, and fun 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

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Sunday, March 29–Sunday, August 23, 2020