PHILADELPHIA, April 2, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is stepping up to donate much-needed supplies to health care workers and to offer online learning resources for both children and adults.

The museum has been closed since March 14, in accordance with city and state regulations, but staff working from home have posted a range of do-at-home science activities, online exhibits, stories about Academy research and collections, and advice on what individuals can do to help the environment.

“Science never stops, and more and more people are coming to understand that as this coronavirus crisis continues,” said Niki Stewart, the Academy’s chief learning and engagement officer. “We’re so pleased to be able to continue to share our educational materials with people of all ages through our website and social media channels. Aspiring to be stewards of our environment is a goal that should never stop, especially as the 50th anniversary of Earth Day is this month.”

This week Academy scientists scoured their labs and field supplies and gathered a range of much needed personal protective equipment to donate to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, in conjunction with Drexel University. Those supplies include 90 boxes of gloves, 100 masks, 30 boxes of wipes, three bottles of Purell, and dozens of goggles including some left over from last year’s Academy Members Night.

On the Academy’s Science From Home webpage (ansp.org/sciencefromhome), visitors will find fun, hands-on activities that are easy to do using common household materials such as crayons or markers. There’s also a guide to migrating birds that are starting to show up in backyards in the tri-state area. The

Science Matters page (ansp.org/sciencematters) highlights some of the science stories from the Academy Blog, online Academy exhibits at Google Arts and Culture, other Online Exhibits and science videos.

On the first of every month through 2020, there will be a new installment in the environment-themed Small Actions Spark Big Changes series on the Academy Blog. These are easy tips on actions anyone can follow to help the planet.

And then there’s #MolluskMonday, #WeirdThingsinJarsWednesday, and #FossilFriday weekly Tweets and Facebook and Instagram posts for a fascinating and entertaining behind-the-scenes peek into the Academy’s collection of 18 million plant and animal specimens and research projects.