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Past Exhibits

Based on topics ranging from animatronic dinosaurs to scaly live animals, the Academy's Special Exhibits are constantly changing. We offer at least two to three new exhibits each year. Special exhibits offer something for little learners and experienced explorers alike. Some of our most popular past exhibits include:

Past Exhibits

underwater scene with coral and blue water with ocean bound in white text

Ocean Bound

Discover the importance and vulnerability of watersheds, identify solutions to pollution problems and see how you can make a difference.

Watershed Moment

Watershed Moment provides fresh perspectives on the water systems that bind us.

How to Get to the River

How to Get to the River is an urban watershed adventure walk that leads participants from the Academy down Cherry Street through a micro-watershed of the Schuylkill River.

extreme deep - black submarine diving into blue ocean with turquoise light

Extreme Deep: Mission to the Abyss

Extreme Deep reveals the secrets of the ocean and enriches our understanding of our connection to it.

permian monsters dinosaur creature roaring

Permian Monsters

Step back 290 million years and explore the world before dinosaurs.

Tiny Titans

The River Feeds Back, A sound installation by Annea Lockwood and Liz Phillips

The River Feeds Back

Traverse the Schuylkill River through an immersive sound installation created by artists Annea Lockwood and Liz Phillips.

drowning world gideon mendel curtains in flood water

Gideon Mendel: Drowning World

This exhibit features 37 photographs, two found-object displays and a video by leading contemporary photographer Gideon Mendel.

Invisible World of Water

Invisible World of Water

The first project in the Academy of Natural Sciences’ yearlong focus on water renews our appreciation for the vital element of water.

Crocs: Ancient Predators in a Modern World

Come face-to-snout with live crocodilians, a group of reptiles that has evolved and thrived for 200 million years.

Xtreme Bugs

Come face-to-feet with nearly 20 massive, colorful, moving bugs!

mythic creatures

Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids

Touch fossils, explore winged mythological creatures, build your own dragon and come face to face with a giant legendary sea monster.

Dinosaur illustration with text Dinosaurs Around the World

Dinosaurs Around the World

© Ralf Schneider/Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

This exhibit of 100 winning images features the world’s best nature photography and wildlife photojournalism.

sloth

Survival of the Slowest

Do animals always need to be the strongest, the biggest and the fastest to survive?

Backyard Adventures

Leap into a garden of wonders, where you can experience the magic of a special backyard world.

Dinosaurs Unearthed

Roaring, moving, life-size dinosaurs invade the Academy for a multi-sensory experience for the whole family.

Frogs: A Chorus of Colors

Check out live frogs of many hues, listen to their colorful chorus, and admire the many ways they swim, hop, glide, and soar.

animal grossology

Animal Grossology

Based on Sylvia Branzei’s best-selling children’s book series Grossology, this hands-on 3-D exhibit oozes with disgusting science and provides a slightly off-kilter view of the animal kingdom.

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