Two new exhibits, an international orchid show, All About Birds Weekend, and new opportunities for adults and kids to learn about nature are coming up this spring at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

Birds of Paradise, opening May 3, is a beautiful multi-media experience showcasing one of the most elegant examples of extreme evolution: the elaborate mating rituals of New Guinea’s birds-of-paradise. Co-developed by the National Geographic Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the exhibit reveals all 39 species of these elusive birds for the first time. Birds of Paradise features plenty of activities for families, including an interactive game that lets people dance along to the birds’ signature moves. During All About Birds Weekend, June 7 and 8, visitors will meet the Academy’s popular live birds.

Unnatural History, opening April 19, is an exhibit by New York photographer Lori Nix that takes a humorous look at museum dioramas such as those at the Academy. April 11–13 the museum turns into a colorful wonderland with the International Orchid Show and Sale presented in collaboration with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Orchid Society. Nature classes for adults and a day camp for kids round out the season’s highlights.

For more details and frequent updates about the following programs, visit ansp.org.

Adult Field Study

City Trees

Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Stroll the streets of Philadelphia and learn why certain trees are more common than others and why some streets are lined with identical trees and others not. Dr. David Hewitt, a botany research associate at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, will lead the street tour, share tips to identify trees, and discuss their historical importance in Philadelphia. Fee: $30 nonmembers, $25 members. For more information and to register, call 215-299-1060.

International Orchid Show and Sale

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 11, 12 and 13

Hours: Friday noon–8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

For the second year, an International Orchid Show and Sale will transform the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University into a spectacular world of orchids. See thousands of beautiful, sometimes bizarre, often fragrant, and always interesting orchids from around the globe. These orchids will be judged and awarded prizes from the American Orchid Society. Take advantage of the rare opportunity to purchase flowers directly from vendors from as far away as Ecuador, Brazil and Japan. Novices and experts alike will learn valuable botanical information during talks and tours. The International Orchid Show, the largest orchid show outside California and Florida, is presented in collaboration with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Orchid Society. Free with museum admission. From 5–8 p.m. on Friday, April 12 only, pay a reduced museum admission fee of $10 to experience the Orchid Show and Sale. For more information, visit ansp.org/orchidshow or call 215-299-1167.

 

Academy Explorers Camp

April 14–18, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Science runs wild at this fun, educational spring break day camp for children ages 5–12 at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Each day includes a teacher-naturalist presentation, exhibit exploration, games, crafts and other interactive activities. Each camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with optional before- and after-care. Days may be reserved individually or as part of a longer experience. Fee: $55 per Member camper, $60 per nonmember camper. Participants who reserve more than one camp day receive a $5 discount for each additional day. There is an extra fee for before- and after-care. For more information and to register, call 215-299-1060. The schedule and themes are:

Furry Friends, April 14

Spend some time with the Academy’s live mammals and learn what it means to be furry.

Experiment Extravaganza, April 15

See what happens during some surprising experiments and amazing creations.

Dinosaurs! April 16

Unlock the fossilized secrets of these awesome ancient beasts.

Buggin’ Out, April 17

Insects and arachnids abound in buggy experiments and live animal encounters.

Scaly Science, April 18

Do some reptilian research and meet some of the Academy’s live snakes, lizards, and turtles.

May 8

Save the date for the next Mega-Bad Movie Night at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Witty experts will be onstage to offer quips and sidesplitting comments on the many scientific absurdities of the “awesomely awful” movie—think Mystery Science Theater 3000! Wander among the Academy’s famous exhibits such as Dinosaur Hall and Butterflies!­­—without kids! It’s a great place to meet fellow science nerds and enjoy refreshments and friends. Visit ansp.org for the latest movie title.

Unnatural History

April 19–August 2

Art of Science Gallery

 

Unnatural History is a playful poke at what goes on behind the dioramas at a natural history museum. In Lori Nix’ imaginative black-and-white photographs, science, facts and animals are a bit askew and sometimes hilarious. This plays on the expectations people have for museums like the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University as places of serious research and authority. Free with museum admission.

 Birds of Paradise

May 3–September 1

Special Exhibits Gallery

An elegant example of extreme evolution, New Guinea’s birds-of-paradise show off their feathery flair during elaborate mating rituals. In this special exhibit based on the groundbreaking research of photographer Tim Laman and Cornell ornithologist Edwin Scholes, visitors will behold the birds’ cinematic courtship dances, puffed-out plumage, wild calls, and bizarre behaviors through engaging  video, photography, soundscapes, specimens, and the chance to learn signature bird moves in a unique dance-off for the whole family. Laman and Scholes made 18 expeditions over eight years to one of the world’s most pristine environments to reveal all 39 species of these rare and elusive birds for the first time. The exhibit includes mounted specimens, study skins and a fancy hat from the Academy’s famous collections. Birds of Paradise has been co-developed by the National Geographic Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

A Botany Collection: Pressing and Preservation
Wednesday, May 28, 6–9 p.m.

Go behind the scenes of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University into one of the nation’s largest and most important collections of preserved plants. Botany Collection Manager Alina Freire-Fierro will delight participants with stories and plant sheets prepared by early botanists. She’ll explain why current Academy botanists collect, where they collect, and the ways in which they preserve plants for future generations. Participants will learn how to make their own herbarium sheet to take home. Fee: $30 nonmembers, $25 members. For more information and to register, call 215-299-1060.

All About Birds Weekend

June 7 and 8, all day

Meet the squawking, talking live birds of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University during this special weekend in conjunction with the Birds of Paradise exhibit. Learn about the anatomy of our feathered friends and investigate what it means to be a bird-of-paradise, all through fun hands-on activities, experiments, crafts and more.