’Tis the Season for Science

An array of wintry festivities, a pair of live reindeer, and seasonal decor have transformed the Academy into an Arctic wonderland this winter! From November 23 – January 2, enjoy festive music and dance performances, indoor snow flurries, and a variety of polar- and holiday-themed programs and hands-on activities. If you have ever wondered what causes the northern lights, what “mistletoe” actually means, or how polar bears survive such harsh winters, this is your chance to find out.

With a mug of hot chocolate in hand, catch scientist interviews, performances, and games of “Polar Jeopardy” in the piazza against a backdrop of stunning Arctic imagery, taken by photographer Subhankar Banerjee in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. These special programs explore wintry themes like migration, adaptations for extreme cold, research in some of Earth’s most frigid climates, and even sustainable gift-giving. Short presentations inside an igloo dome reveal even more of the stark, vast beauty of the North Pole, including the aurora borealis, ice caps, and winter sky.

In the east garden, meet a pair of live reindeer (known as caribou in North America) and learn more about these antlered herbivores during a daily “Reindeer Rendezvous” program. (Read about them on the Fly on the Wall blog.) Young visitors can also greet “Santa Claude,” the Academy’s lovable alligator mascot, and learn how animals keep warm on a special scavenger hunt.

Visit www.calacademy.org/holidays for more details about ’Tis the Season for Science programs. Happy holidays!