Celebrate Earth and Water Month With the Academy of Natural Sciences
March 22 to April 30
PHILADELPHIA,
February 25, 2022
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, along with Philadelphia community partners, will present a slew of events and activities to celebrate water and our planet Wednesday, March 23, through Saturday, April 30, and they’re calling it Earth and Water Month.
From story times for preschoolers to workshops for adults and a major exhibit opening, there’s something for everyone — from the wet-behind-the-ears naturalist newbie to the most experienced water warrior. Museum visitors can view water samples under a microscope, learn how people are impacting water quality, and take a field trip to explore a creek and its creatures firsthand. They can discover the beauty of the insect world, meet baby mussels and understand why these filter feeders are essential to our river systems.
Starting April 2, visitors can investigate the mysteries of the deep sea in the newest special exhibit, Extreme Deep: Mission to the Abyss. On Earth Day itself, April 22, the celebration culminates in a pay-what-you-wish evening event featuring activities, craft beer, snacks and more at the most unique watering hole in town — the Academy’s Dinosaur Hall. Dive in!
Earth and Water Month is part of the Academy’s and Drexel’s Water Year celebration designed to provide a fresh perspective on the water systems that bind us together and inspire us to work collaboratively to ensure clean and healthy water.
Here’s the schedule of events. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/35oBunq.
World Water Day Story Time
Wednesday, March 23, 10:15–11 a.m.
Join the Academy for an exciting World Water Day story time. Have some fun with Academy experts and other young natural history fans and learn why water is an important resource and how to keep it clean. Join in for the reading of “Hey Water” and then craft a special watercolor flower to learn how water is in everything around us. Recommended for ages 3–5 and their families. $12 nonmembers, $8 members; museum admission included for one adult per registered child.
Academy Kids Club: Water Scopes
Saturday, March 26, 10 a.m.–Noon
Explore water samples under microscopes with Academy scientists. If you’ve collected a water sample of your own, bring it and the scientists will help you look at it under the scope. This activity is part of the U.N. Water Challenge Badge with the Academy Kids Club and free to Kids Club members. For more information and other fun activities, visit ansp.org/kidsclub. Water Challenge Badge activities were developed for ages 6–10, but kids of all ages are welcome to join. Kids Club registration is free. Register at ansp.org/kidsclub.
Water, Climate Change and Disturbance Ecology
Saturday, April 2, 1–4 p.m.
Temple University Ambler Campus, Bright Hall Circle and Bright Hall Lounge, 580 Meetinghouse Rd, Ambler
We live in a world of constant change. Join Temple Ambler EarthFest and the Academy of Natural Sciences for an outdoor, interactive event of exhibits, tours and hands-on activities exploring those changes firsthand. How essential is water to our lives, and how are we impacting water quality? How do we face and mitigate the impacts of climate change? In the wake of the tornado that struck Temple Ambler, what can we learn about natural disasters and how nature responds to them? Free with registration; to register visit https://bit.ly/3rPRo35
Creek Exploration Field Trip
Sunday, April 3, 9–11 a.m.
Kirkwood Preserve, 855 Grubbs Mill Road, Newtown Square
Now is your chance to get your feet wet, literally, to help scientists gather critical data about our waterways, including the invertebrates that rely on them. Join Academy and Willistown Conservation Trust staff for an exclusive outdoor opportunity to try some guided community science at Kirkwood Preserve. Test the waters and identify the species that live there as you learn about the ecology, equipment and methodology that scientists use to explore and understand creek systems. No experience or equipment necessary, but we do recommend wearing shoes that can get wet and muddy. Recommended for adults and families with children ages 8 and up. For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/35oBunq.
Junior Scientist Workshop: How Does a River Flex its Mussels?
Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Mussels might be a familiar sight at the seaside, but how do they keep a freshwater river flowing? These bivalves are a filtering force of nature. Discover how mussels up and down our waterways are critical to the health of river systems. Examine Academy specimens and learn how the Academy is partnering around the region to restore mussel populations. Meet some baby mussels and try out a few filter feeding activities to see how hard these amazing animals work. Grades 3–5. For more information, fee and to register, visit https://bit.ly/3s8Mv5t.
Microcosmos at Bryn Mawr Film Institute
Sunday, April 10, 1–3 p.m.
Armored stag beetles meet in epic duels. Raindrops pelt a city of anthills. Marching caterpillars form a glorious parade. Employing special magnifying cameras, this sparely narrated nature documentary — one of the most successful, and still one of the best — reveals the insect world within a single meadow to be brimming with amazement, adventure and beauty. Hang around after the film for a presentation and Q&A with the Academy of Natural Sciences featuring live invertebrate specimens! For more information, fee and registration, visit https://brynmawrfilm.org/event/microcosmos/
Tuesday, April 19, 11:30 a.m–1:30 p.m. (raindate April 20 same time)
Drexel University Campus, Gateway Garden and Lancaster Walk, between 32nd and 34th Streets, Market and Arch Streets
EarthFest is Drexel’s annual block party celebrating the University’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Held during the week of Earth Day each year, the event is free and open to the University community, including students, faculty, professional staff and the public. Schools, colleges, departments, student organizations, community groups and vendors will provide information, games, raffles and other activities promoting sustainability. Be sure to stop by the Academy’s table featuring Watershed Wonders and Ready Rowhomes!
Wednesday, April 20, 10:15–11 a.m.
Join the Academy for an exciting Earth Day story time. Have some fun with Academy experts and other young natural history fans and learn why water is an important resource and how to keep it clean. Join in for the reading of “Over and Under the Pond” and then craft a special finger-painted pond to learn how animals and plants need water to survive. Recommended for ages 3–5. For fee and more information, visit https://bit.ly/35oBunq.
There’s only one Earth, and we are on it together. Celebrate life on Earth and the systems that support it with a wild night of science programming and conservation conversations. Sip a craft beer or snack on a locally sourced treat while you ponder the clean water that went into making them. Meet Academy scientists and local sustainability experts to talk about how to get involved at home and afar. Focus on the future with solutions-based tips and talking points presented by Academy educators. Explore the stories of rare Academy specimens and take part in hands-on activities. Get inspired to take action to make the world a better place, one drop of water at a time. Pay-what-you-wish. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3sdxY8H. Sponsored by Renewal By Andersen of Greater Philadelphia and The Rounds.
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12th Street Watering Hole. Join us for delicious snacks, wine, beer and more presented by the Academy’s exclusive caterer, 12th St. Catering.
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Conservation Heroes. Meet some Academy partners from organizations around Philadelphia and find out what they do, how they do it, why it’s important and how you can get involved. Earth Day partners include: Temple University Ambler, Neighborhood Gardens Trust, Independence Seaport Museum, Fairmount Water Works, Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, Philadelphia Zoo, Adventure Aquarium, Philadelphia Solar Energy Association, Planet Philadelphia, John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, and American Philosophical Society.
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WINS on the Water. Participants from our award-winning Women In Natural Sciences program are excited to share their experiences and teach you what they’ve learned with hands-on activities and experiments. Meet these inspiring young women, find out why they love science and nature and hear about the great ways they make a difference.
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Healthy Habitats. Humans aren’t the only animals that benefit from a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Birds, reptiles, mammals, amphibians and a myriad of invertebrates also benefit from clean water. Learn about some of these amazing creatures and how water is an integral part of their lives. Check out rare Academy specimens and get inspired to make a better world for all of us.
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Anthems for the Anthropocene, 7–9 p.m. Addressing climate change requires solutions from every sector of our society, and art has a unique power to inspire action. "Anthems for the Anthropocene" challenges Drexel student musicians to create and record unique songs to focus attention on the climate crisis. In this final celebration event for this songwriting contest, student participants will share their recordings, and a judging panel will announce awards. “Anthems for the Anthropocene” is part of Drexel's Climate Case Competition and is a collaboration of Drexel's Office of Climate & Sustainability, Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry, the Music Industry Program of the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, The Environmental Collaboratory and the Academy of Natural Sciences.
Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m–2p.m. (rain date: April 24 same time)
Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy's Mill Road, Philadelphia
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education’s signature Earth Day event returns with live music, activity tables, nature hikes, food trucks and more, all centered around their Year of Restoration. As the Billy Jonas Band performs its energetic percussive music on recycled and found objects, visitors can engage in a participatory art project and help unveil the new Restoration Station Loop, a self-guided educational hike along the trails. Be sure to stop by the Academy table featuring Watershed Wonders and Ready Rowhomes. Free. Registration is required; to register visit https://bit.ly/3v8WjhK.
Access to Science Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 30, 9 a.m.–11 a.m.
Visitors on the autism spectrum and their families are invited to experience the museum before the crowds. Guests can visit the dinosaurs, dioramas and all the other exhibits at their own pace. Enjoy some quiet time with Academy educators to learn more about water conservation and how you can make the world a cleaner, greener place. Free with registration; to register, contact Visitor Services at 215-299-1060 or AccessToScience@ansp.org. For more details, visit https://bit.ly/356a8ml.
Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m.–Noon
Join the Academy for fun activities designed to help Kids Club members take action to protect our planet and water. Together, we’ll explore the issues that put our planet at risk and learn more about what each of us can do to help. At 10:45 a.m. authors Lena Champlin, Academy student research associate and Drexel PhD student, and Jeremy Wortzel will read their new book, "Coco's Fire: Changing Climate Anxiety into Climate Action." The reading will be followed by a discussion with the authors. This activity is part of the U.N. Water Challenge Badge with the Academy Kids Club and designed for ages 6–10. Kids Club membership is free. Register at ansp.org/kidsclub.
For images, please email the Public Relations Office, belardo@ansp.org.
News media contact:
Carolyn Belardo, Director of Public Relations, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
215-299-1043, belardo@ansp.org, | Twitter @AcadNatSciPR | Press Room: www.ansp.org/press
Founded in 1812, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is a leading natural history museum dedicated to understanding the natural world and inspiring everyone to care for it.
THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF DREXEL UNIVERSITY 1900 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PKWY PHILADELPHIA 19103