Connect with the wonders of the natural world through hands-on discovery, dinosaur interactions, and science this July and August at the Academy of Natural Sciences!

Unearth fossils like a paleontologist at The Big Dig, meet live turtles and insects and chat with Academy scientists in the lab on Thursday and Friday mornings. Explore neighborhood science opportunities, get a new perspective on the legendary Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery in Botany of Nations, join Dinosaur Hall tours, celebrate Bug Fest with us in August and more! Every visit brings new opportunities to investigate biodiversity, ecology and evolution as you discover the oldest natural history museum in the Americas.

Experiences and Activities

The Big Dig
Daily, 10 a.m. to close
Dinosaur Hall, Mezzanine

Calling all (future!) paleontologists; if you dig dinos, then The Big Dig is the place for you. Pick up a brush and practice real paleontology as you unearth and identify six different species of popular dinosaurs.

Carts of Curiosity
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Throughout the museum

Do you have a favorite fossil, a preferred bird or a most-beloved bug? Academy experts are here to answer your burning science questions and share their passions and expertise! With a new specimen or science story offered daily, you can see something new each time you visit!

Science Now
Sundays, 12-2 p.m.
Science Live, Level 1

Science Now brings today’s most exciting science headlines to life with interactive, hands-on experiences for visitors of all ages! Join us for lively conversations and activities exploring topics like climate change, evolution, biodiversity, extinction and water.

Live Shows and Tours

Academy Naturalist Presentation
Thursdays and Fridays, 11:15 a.m.
Auditorium, Level 1

Natural science is full of surprises — from feathers and weather to bugs, dinosaurs, fossils and animal adaptations! Join our experienced Academy Educators as they explore natural history in these informal and interactive presentations.

Story time with activity and live animal encounter
Outside In, Level 3
Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m.

Calling our littlest scientists! Join us every weekend day for a story time and activity related to one of our live animal ambassadors. Listen to the story, take part in a fun activity, and then engage with one of our amazing educators to learn more.

Dinosaur Hall Tour: The History of Paleontology at the Academy
Saturdays and Sundays, 1 p.m.
Dinosaur Hall, Lobby Level

Make no bones about it - the Academy is the original dinosaur museum. For more than 200 years, the Academy has studied the ancient creatures that capture our imaginations. Explore the history of paleontology, check out famous fossils and discover how our understanding of dinosaurs has changed over time. Tours meet under the T. rex in Dinosaur Hall!

Bugs on the Big Screen
Daily, 2:30 p.m.
Auditorium, Level 1

Have you ever looked an arthropod in the (compound) eyes? This unique, tech-enabled live animal show takes a high-definition peek at what makes bugs beautiful, amazing and important. Meet multiple live invertebrates and ask Academy experts about everything that's been bugging you!