Friday, May 18, 11:00 am-4:00 pm

Join us at the Naturalist Center to make an African penguin bag puppet in honor of Endangered Species Day. Learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and everyday actions that individuals can take to help protect our nation’s disappearing wildlife.

Note: Program free of charge with admission to the Academy.

Check out this week’s featured specimen!

(Pictured below, really close up!)

Photo: N. Sincero © California Academy of Sciences


Can you guess what it is?


Here are some hints:

• This animal has stretchy ligaments on its jaw that allow it to open wide enough to swallow prey whole.
• This animal is a powerful swimmer.

Leave us a comment with your answer! Then come see us in the Classroom on Sunday, May 20th at 2:30 pm for Science Story Adventures to see if you’re right and to learn more about this animal. Science Story Adventures is our program for children ages 4 – 8 and their caregivers. In the program, we explore the natural world through stories, specimens, games and crafts.

Check out this week’s featured specimen!

(Pictured below, really close up!)

Photo: N. Sincero © California Academy of Sciences

Can you guess what it is?

Here are some hints:

• Breeding pairs of this species stay together all year round and migrate south with their offspring.
• They are found in wetlands and agricultural fields.

Leave us a comment with your answer! Then come see us in the Classroom on Sunday, May 13th at 2:30 pm for Science Story Adventures to see if you’re right and to learn more about this animal. Science Story Adventures is our program for children ages 4 – 8 and their caregivers. In the program, we explore the natural world through stories, specimens, games and crafts.

2012 Student Essay and Art Contest: Our Oceans
Presented by the Asian Pacific Fund and the California Academy of Sciences
Note: The 2012 contest has ended. For information on the 2013 contest, see http://www.asianpacificfund.org/growing-up-asian-in-america

Middle school students can share their wonder of and desire to protect one of our most precious resources by entering our essay and art contest. Dive into hands-on activities related to oceans at the Academy and in public library branches.

Growing up Asian in America is an annual essay and art contest. The contest always has a theme, and prizes are awarded each year. This year there is an added program with prizes for a science contest about oceans.

Prizes
First Place: $1500
Second Place: $750
Third Place: $500
Honorable Mention: $250

Get Inspired!

• Visit the Academy. The first 100 registered participants for the contest receive a free family pass to the Academy. You can also visit for free with the Check Out San Francisco Pass available at San Francisco Public Libraries or the Discover and Go Pass available at Oakland Public Libraries.
• Come face to face with the creatures in the Philippine Coral Reef and California Coast exhibits.
• Delve deeper into ocean ecosystems with the library resources and specimens in the Naturalist Center.
• Participate in the Dive into Coral Reefs program at public library branches. Friday, September 21 at the Main Library of Oakland Public Library from 1:00 – 2:30 pm.

Click here for more ideas for your contest entry and to register for the contest. Growing Up Asian: Our Oceans 2012 >>

Contest made possible through the generosity of Loretta Huahn and the support of the Oakland and San Francisco Public Libraries.

Photo: Hawk moth (Eumorpha achemon). George W. Robinson © California Academy of Sciences

Click here for the Nocturnal Explorations online handout.

Each week in the Naturalist Center, we take elementary school-aged children on Science Story Adventures. We look at a different theme connected with the natural world and the exhibits in the Academy, and explore it through stories, activities and crafts.

Now you can continue your adventure at home with this online handout. It includes the planned learning outcomes of the Science Story Adventure, which are usually drawn from the Science Content Standards for California Public Schools. Can’t remember the title of the books we read or how to do that craft? It’s on the sheet. We’ve also included a list of resources – books, DVDs or websites – for further exploration.