Living Within the Watershed: Enduring Floods in Germantown transports visitors into Philadelphia's historical landscape to understand how the city's past informs its future.

Two hundred sixty years ago, Philadelphia was defined by nearly 300 miles of free-flowing streams. By 1966, 87% of these waterways were transformed into underground sewers to manage stormwater, reduce waste and industrial pollutants exposure, and curb public health crises like typhoid and cholera. Today, this sewer infrastructure is increasingly strained by heavy rainfall and flooding driven by climate change, especially in the city's low-lying neighborhoods.

Located within the basin of the Wissahickon Valley and along the historic Wingohocking Watershed, parts of Philadelphia's Germantown neighborhood are now among the most threatened areas in the country for urban flash flooding. Through oral history, historical photos, community films, green stormwater tools and science research, audiences will explore critical environmental challenges facing a Philadelphia neighborhood and what stakeholders are doing to address a climate change issue 150 years in the making.

Mediated Experiences

Where does rainwater go?
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
2–4 p.m.

Through hands-on model demonstrations, explore how storms affect individual homes and entire neighborhoods, and how we can work together to reduce stormwater runoff. Experience how sewers and green spaces function and discover how flooding impacts neighborhoods, such as Germantown. Be prepared to support flood resilience initiatives in your own neighborhood!

Science Story Time

Have some fun with Academy educators and other young natural history fans during a very special science story time. Each week will feature a family-friendly science story and hands-on craft to try or live animal to meet.

Occurring monthly on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Dates:

August 23 and 24 & September 13 and 14 Water Can Be By Laura Purdie Salas

Have some fun with Academy educators and other young natural history fans when we read "Water Can Be" By Laura Purdie Salas for science story time. Meet a water animal from our Living Exhibits collection. Occurring on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Drop-in Science Workshops

Snail Tales
Saturday, June 21, 2–4 p.m.

What is species diversity and how can it affect a habitat? What snails can you find in the Delaware River and why are they important? Check out some snails from our Malacology Collection and discoverwhy they are so essential in helping an ecosystem thrive. Use your observation skills to identify some specimens with tools used by our Watershed Systems Ecology team!

Dazzling Diatoms
Saturday, September 27, 2-4 p.m.

What is a diatom and what does it tell you about the environment? What diatoms are living in our watershed? See some diatoms from the Academy’s Diatom Herbarium and discover why they are so important in a healthy watershed. Make a diatom keychain to take home.

For more information about this program, please contact Amy Hoyt, mediated experiences educator, at alp333@drexel.edu.