PHILADELPHIA, November 30, 2020

Go behind the scenes of Philadelphia’s natural history museum, raise a glass of bubbly while talking with a volcano expert, and keep the kids busy with fun science activities over the holidays — all without leaving your home.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University presents unique and enlightening activities and events in December for both adults and children. Here’s what’s coming up. For more information, visit ansp.org.

A Shaker of Science: Loÿc Vanderkluysen

Thursday, Dec. 3, 5:30–6:30 p.m.

Join a virtual live happy hour and unwind with Drexel University volcanologist Loÿc Vanderkluysen as he shares stories of science and adventure. Get ready to mix the baking soda and vinegar as the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University presents A Shaker of Science. Vanderkluysen will lead participants on a world tour featuring stories and insights into the geological marvels that have captured our attention since childhood — volcanoes! Can we predict when the next volcanic eruption will shake the Earth? What does the life of a volcanologist look like, anyway? Hear about Vanderkluysen’s great adventures over your favorite libations. For more information and to register and purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/2VlvYd3.

Door 19: Dino Night

Friday, Dec. 11, 7-8:30 p.m.

Put on your dinosaur footy pajamas and dress your top half to the nines — it’s time for the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University’s virtual Door 19. Choose your own adventure by hopping from virtual room to virtual room at your leisure to explore the dino-mite fun of Door 19: Dino Night. Door 19 is a popular evening event with behind-the-scenes tours, live music, food and drink that was presented in the museum pre-COVID-19. This is the first time the Academy is bringing all the excitement of Door 19 into homes virtually. Participants will:

• Enjoy a virtual, behind-the-scenes tour of the Ornithology Collection featuring a live Q&A to learn about the dinos that still roam the world.
• Cozy up to your keyboard and enjoy live music.
• Take a live, virtual flashlight tour of newest exhibit, Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs, to see the creatures that roamed Earth before the dinosaurs.
• Get up close and personal (in a virtual way) with some live animal ambassadors as they get up to shenanigans on the live animal-cam.
• Access to a special 360-degree video tour of Dinosaur Hall. And more!

For more information and to register and purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3fSxDjU.

Junior Scientist Virtual Workshop: Do Birds Say Brrrrr?

Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

The days are getting colder and winter is upon us, so why are there still birds flying (and swimming) outside? Find out by joining the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University for a virtual workshop with hands-on activities designed to be done at home with easy-to-find supplies. Discover how avian adaptations allow our fine feathered friends to survive in the harshest environments. Try out a few hands-on adaptation activities at home to see how you would measure up if you were a bird. You’ll meet Academy scientist Jason Weckstein, PhD, associate curator of birds and professor in the Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science Department at Drexel University. Jason’s favorite bird is the harpy eagle, and his secret skill is imitating owl calls, especially the Eastern screech owl. Recommended for ages 8 to 11; younger children are welcome to join with parental assistance. For more information and to register and purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/39smlS9.

Winter Science Week at the Academy

Sunday, Dec. 27–30

Cozy up to the computer for virtual winter science fun presented by the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. School is out for the holidays, but science never stops! These programs are free and presented on Zoom.

Dino-Dough  

10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 27 and Tuesday, Dec. 29  

Grab some clay or Model Magic, or whip up a batch of easy salt dough and build a dinosaur along with Academy educator Amy Hoyt. Learn how dinosaurs were perfectly adapted to their environments and how their anatomy helped them survive or doomed them to extinction as you mold a dinosaur with your own hands. Different dinos will be featured at each session! Recommended for ages 5–9; younger children welcome with parental assistance. For more information and to register, visit ansp.org.

Ask the Scientists: Eureka! Science 2020 

3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30