10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Spend your summer at the Academy! Discover how scientists use the collections to help observe, elevate and educate about the natural world. Discover ancient life-forms that roamed the earth long before the dinosaurs. Meet live animals that call the rainforest home. Explore the miniature world of insects and much more!

At Dino-mite Summer, you can:

• Meet one of the Academy’s slithery, scaly or shelled live animal ambassadors
• Make and take a science craft of your own
• Explore paleontology through film
• See rare and unique specimens and fossils

And much more!

Summer of Science Membership
Just $99!

Are you looking for some dino-mite ways to spend the summer months? Maybe you’re just in town for a few days and looking for an adventure! Whatever your reason might be, the Summer of Science membership is a great way to create lasting memories with family.

Summer of Science memberships are valid from the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend through the Sunday before Labor Day of the current year.

Life Onto Land: The Devonian
Daily
Dietrich Gallery

You’ve likely heard of the Jurassic and the Cretaceous, but do you know about the Devonian? Life Onto Land: The Devonian centers around the Academy’s internationally celebrated paleontological research and the incredible discovery of Tiktaalik roseae.

See enchanting drawings by Spanish artist Aina Bestard, breathtaking footage of Arctic and Antarctic research sites and the vivid scientific illustrations of Scott Rawlins. Experience the stunning plant and animal fossils collected from Devonian rock found here in Pennsylvania and around the world.

Mediated Experiences

Fin to Limb
Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Want to get in touch to your inner fish? Discover the connection between humans and our scaly ancestors through an exploration of Tiktaalik roseae and its impact on our understanding of how our arms came to be.

Devonian Fossil Identification
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30–4:30 p.m.
Saturdays, 1:30–5 p.m.

Have you ever wondered how Academy scientists identify the fossils they find? Do you know what kinds of fossils we've unearthed here in Pennsylvania? Discover the answers through a hands-on experience and see the hard work that goes into reading the rocks.

Shape-a-transitional Form
Wednesdays and Fridays, 1:30–4:30 p.m.
Sundays, 1:30–5 p.m.

Life is constantly changing. From Tiktaalik roseae to Archaeopteryx, there are many famous examples of transitional forms. With this activity, guests can learn more about such transitions captured in fossils and understand the unique value they bring to the study of evolution.

Drawing from the Collections: The Evolutionary Success of Beetles
Daily through August 11
Spotlight Gallery

Part gallery and part studio, Drawing from the Collections celebrates the enduring appeal of drawing and describing our insect counterparts as a method of generating creative insights and scientific understanding.

Investigate Coleoptera specimens from our world-renowned Entomology Collection, as well as stunning artworks and materials from our Library & Archives. Then, try your hand at drawing, describing and documenting your observations on the vast biodiversity of beetles.

Under the Canopy: Animals of the Rainforest
Daily through Labor Day
Special Exhibits Gallery

Travel to the most diverse ecosystem on the planet! Under the Canopy: Animals of the Rainforest is an immersive exhibition introducing you to the fascinating world of rainforests and the animals that inhabit them.

Learn about unique plants and rainforest ecology as you encounter a live sloth, boa constrictor and other animals that call these habitats home.

Special Animal Presentations
Daily through Labor Day

Get to know the animals of the rainforest through intimate presentations! Animal trainings will introduce guests to three or four different animals.

These trainings allow guests to watch animal handlers perform training exercises with Maple the sloth. Additional animal feedings may occur throughout the day.

• Animal Presentation - 10:30 a.m.
• Animal Training or Feeding - 1 p.m.
• Animal Presentation - 2:15 p.m.

$10 Tuesdays
Experience everything the Academy has to offer — including our limited-time special exhibitions — for just $10 per person! Enjoy Dinosaur Hall, Outside In and our dioramas from around the world.

Discover something you’ve never seen before, make some memories with your family and save money all summer long on $10 Tuesdays!

The Big Dig
Open daily
Mezzanine

Imagine you are a curious paleontologist exploring the New Mexico Badlands, your fossil brush in hand. In the distance, something catches your eye. You can make out a promising shape slightly exposed on the brown, dry terrain.

What’s hiding under the rocks? Will you uncover a duckbill dinosaur or a Tyrannosaurus rex? Use your tools to find out.

Wing Weaponry: Ducks and Dinos
Science Live, Level One
June 29–August 24, 2024
Saturdays, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Born with bizarre spurs on their wing bones, some species of Anseriformes (ducks and geese) are ready for action — but why? Learn about the possible purposes of wing weaponry, how these strange structures seemingly evolved multiple times, and how it all might go back to the dinosaurs.

Explore cutting-edge Academy research using X-rays, real examples from the Ornithology Collection, touchable bird specimens and fossils, all while you ask: what’s with the wings?

Summer Bugs Live Invertebrate Exploration Station
Science Live, Level One
June 22–August 25, 2024
Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Check the Academy off your summer bug-ketlist and find yourself fascinated by a few of our favorite live insects and arachnids. Touch lively hissing cockroaches and meet chilled-out tarantulas. Show off your invertebrate knowledge to our science-loving staff or learn something brand new to love about arthropods.

Discover what a real bug’s life is like, why invertebrates are critical to habitat health and how you can make their world safer and ensure their survival.

Turtle Talks
Dinosaur Hall
Thursdays and Sundays, June 23 to August 25, 2:30 p.m.

Come out of your shell at the Academy of Natural Sciences and discover everything there is to know about the live turtles, tortoises and terrapins that call the museum home. We’ll talk the talk while they (slowly) walk the walk!

Find out how these highly adapted reptiles evolved to survive in habitats as diverse as the driest deserts or the watery depths of the ocean. Learn which species you can find in your own backyard or local park and what you can do to keep their habitats healthy. These animals might be hard-shelled, but they still need you to make life easy.

Specimens, Science and the History of the Academy
Science Live, Level One
Fridays, June 28–August 30, noon to 2 p.m.

The Academy of Natural Sciences may be a bit over 200 years old, but we have more than 400 MILLION years of history for you to explore! Take a trip back in time to investigate the history of the Academy.

Gain a new appreciation of life on our planet through rarely displayed examples from our world-class collection of 20 million specimens. Examine everything from ancient fossils to modern mammals while you discover how studying the past can teach us about the future.

Parkway Pals at Sister Cities: Investigation Station
Wednesdays through August 14
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Sister Cities Park

Join the Academy of Natural Sciences this summer and go wild with fun games, experiments and unique activities! Learn more about animals and dinosaurs!

“Your Inner Fish” Movie Screening
Last Saturday of every month, 1:30 p.m.
Auditorium

Join us for a screening of "Your Inner Fish" and meet the ancestor you never knew you had. Based on a best-selling book by paleobiologist Neil Shubin, this scientific journey takes us from the Arctic Circle to Pennsylvania, searching the fossil record for the many ways that our animal ancestors shaped our anatomical destiny.

Bug Fest
August 10–11
10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Join us at the Academy of Natural Sciences for a wild weekend celebrating more than a few of our favorite (invertebrate) things. Enjoy scientist-guided Bug Walks on the Parkway and our famous Roach Races or discover your love for something surprising like the unexpected insect biodiversity of your local park.

Explore specimens from the Academy’s world-class Entomology Collection, including recently discovered beetles, bees and butterflies. “Ask the Experts” at scientist meet-and-greets for all ages. Talk with Academy researchers and fellow bug enthusiasts to find out how their passion for all things invertebrate impacts and shapes our communities. And check out the new marketplace that will highlight local artists and artisans.

Summer Trees of Laurel Hill Cemetery
Members Only Special Programming!
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Registration required; $15 per person

Academy Members can take a tour of the beautiful trees and gardens of Laurel Hill East with Aaron Greenberg, Laurel Hill’s Arboretum Manager, and master arborist. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for this walking tour.

Not a member? Questions? Contact Kaitlin LeRoy at 215-299-1009 or leroy@ansp.org

Wawa Welcome America Free Day
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
All ages; Free and open to the public!

Discover our special exhibitions, historic dioramas and all the museum has to offer — for free!

History of Haddy Hike
Saturday, July 13, 2024
9–11 a.m.
Registration required

You may be familiar with “Haddy”, the duckbilled dinosaur that stands inside Dinosaur Hall, but have you ever thought about where it came from? Academy members can take a step back in time when we visit the site where Hadrosaurus foulkii was discovered in 1858.

Joined by Academy Educator, Amber Guzzi, we will learn more about this famous discovery and the geology of the location. The group will meet at the Hadrosaurus Foulkii site and then have the option to hike down to the site.

Register for History of the Haddy Hike

Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Parking is available along the roadside.

This members-only program is free, but registration is requested. Members, please sign in to register for this program.

Not a member? Join here. https://ansp.org/get-involved/membership/ Questions? Contact Kaitlin LeRoy at 215-299-1009 or leroy@ansp.org

Farewell to Maple the Sloth
Saturday, August 24
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Free with admission, no registration required

Say goodbye to our favorite sloth before the closing of Under the Canopy with special animal and insect presentations, a sloth-themed craft, and light snacks.”