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What's On at the California Academy of Sciences August
2004
Exhibits, Courses, Programs, and Lectures
Museum Open
875 Howard Street Open
The California Academy of Sciences is open to the public. Visitors may
view thousands of live animals in Steinhart Aquarium, including the penguin
colony, snakes residing in SSSssnake alley, six live colonies of ants
in the exhibit ANTS: Hidden Worlds Revealed and miniature wonders of the
universe in the exhibit Astrobiology: Life in the Extreme.
California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street
Open 365 days of the year, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (415) 379-8000.
Exhibits
ANTS: Hidden Worlds Revealed ongoing through May 2005
Curated by Academy entomologist Brian Fisher, ANTS: Hidden Worlds Revealed
showcases six colonies of live ants, each of which display distinctive
nest building and food collecting behaviors. Four of the species represented
- Harvester Ants, Carpenter Ants, Honey Pot Ants, and invasive Argentine
Ants - are commonly found in California. The other two species, however,
come from farther afield. Leaf Cutter ants, which cultivate gardens of
fungus in order to ensure a steady food supply, make their home in the
tropical rainforests of South America, while meat eating Army ants migrate
through parts of Africa and the Americas in search of prey. Each of the
six live ant colonies offers visitors the chance to look inside the chambers
and tunnels of the ants' nests and watch them forage for food.
Astrobiology: Life in the Extreme ongoing exhibit
What is life? How do we study it? Where is it found on Earth? And does
it exist elsewhere in the Universe? To identify the types of environments
that would be capable of supporting life beyond our own planet, astrobiologists
must study the limits of life here on Earth. They do this by researching
extreme environments, such as thermal springs and hydrothermal vents (geysers
on the ocean floor), that host hardy living organisms. Both of these types
of extreme environments are explored in the Academy's exhibit Astrobiology:
Life in the Extreme. Astrobiology is an exciting new scientific discipline
that combines the traditional fields of astronomy, biology, geology, chemistry,
and physics to address a vast topic: the study of life in the Universe.
The Academy is delving into this compelling new field by creating an exhibit
for its 875 Howard Street location titled Astrobiology: Life in the Extreme.
Lectures, Programs, and Events
KIDS: THINGS TO DO
Penguin Feedings
The penguins from Steinhart Aquarium have migrated to their new tank located
at the California Academy of Sciences at 875 Howard Street; preening their
feathers, swimming in their new bigger pool, and eating their favorite
tasty treats of herring and capelins keeps both the penguins and delighted
guests busy all day. Every day at 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. visitors may
watch and ask questions as an aquatic biologist feeds the African penguins.
At the feeding a biologist dons a wet suit, measures the temperature of
the air and water then steps into the pool to feed the penguins. Throughout
the feeding, a biologist explains different behaviors of the penguins
and of this particular colony. Then visitors have a chance to ask questions.
Each feeding takes 20 minutes.
Every day 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., free with museum admission
California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street (415) 379-8000
KIDS: THINGS TO DO
Marine Biology Adventurers
For Ages 12-14
Kid campers are invited to explore Bodega Bay's ruggedly beautiful coastline
during five exciting days. Participants will watch lounging harbor seals
and discover the many birds that make this marshy area their home. They
will study amazing tidepool creatures like sea stars and anemones, hike
along bluffs to identify and sketch the area's coastal plants, canoe on
Petaluma Marsh, the Bay Area's largest intact tidal marsh, then return
amazed at the diversity of coastal California's plant and animal life.
Dormitory-style housing and meals provided by UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory.
Campers will practice outdoor skills and field-biology techniques while
studying California's amazing marine wildlife and plants. Drop-off and
pick-up at the Academy at 875 Howard Street. All meals, except lunch on
trip's first day, are included.
Orientation: Friday, August 6, 5-7 pm
Field Trip: August 9-13,
Monday 8:30 am-Friday 5 pm
$510 members, $560 non-members
(415) 379-8000, e-mail edregistrar@calacademy.org, or visit www.calacademy.org/education
for more information, including scholarship applications.
KIDS: THINGS TO DO
Story Time
The Academy's story time takes place every Saturday, at 11 a.m. August
stories focus on night skies. Free with museum admission. For children
ages 3-7.
Saturday, August 7, 11 am; California Academy of Sciences (415) 379-8000
ENVIRONMENTAL LECTURE
Farmed and Dangerous: The Modern Era of Salmon Farming
California Academy of Sciences' Lecture with Sophika Kostyniuk.
Buying a piece of fish has become an increasingly complex task in our
modern society. It is often difficult to differentiate between the merits
of farmed or wild-caught salmon, and the associated health and environmental
risks. Join Sophika Kostyniuk as she presents the findings of the Coastal
Alliance for Aquaculture Reform - a coalition of ten member groups comprised
of fishermen, environmentalists, scientists, and indigenous people who
are concerned about the current practices within the salmon farming industry.
Public awareness and education is a critical component of furthering CAAR's
mission to protect wild salmon, coastal ecosystems, coastal communities,
and human health from destructive fish farming practices. For years, the
Academy has worked to protect wild salmon. This presentation is another
step on the path toward sustainable fisheries.
To order tickets, call (415) 379-8000. Tickets also sold at the door,
when available. Monday, August 9, 2 & 7:30 pm; $8; Zeum Theater, 221
4th Street, San Francisco.
FAMILY ART DEMONSTRATION
Scientific Illustration
Meet a scientific illustrator and experience a live demonstration
of drawings used for scientific publications and research. Free with museum
admission.
Friday, August 13, 3-3:30 pm; California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard
Street (415) 379-8000
KIDS: THINGS TO DO
Story Time
The Academy's story time takes place every Saturday, at 11 a.m. August
stories focus on night skies. Free with museum admission. For children
ages 3-7.
Saturday, August 14, 11 am; California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard
Street (415) 379-8000
KIDS: THINGS TO DO
Introduction to the Bay Area Ant Survey
Meet with Academy scientists and learn how to participate in this unique
scientific study. Limited to first 20 participants. Free with museum admission.
Saturday, August 14, 11:30 am & 2:30 pm; California Academy of Sciences,
875 Howard Street (415) 379-8000
KIDS: THINGS TO DO
Out of the Lab
Watch and learn from Academy research staff as they prepare specimens
and demonstrate scientific research techniques. This month, scientists
working on the Academy's SF Bay2K project will discuss their latest findings.
Free with museum admission.
Wednesday, August 18, 12-1:30 pm, California Academy of Sciences, 875
Howard Street (415) 379-8000
KIDS: THINGS TO DO
Story Time
The Academy's story time takes place every Saturday, at 11 a.m. August
stories focus on night skies. Free with museum admission. For children
ages 3-7.
Saturday, August 21, 11 am; California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard
Street (415) 379-8000
FAMILY ART DEMONSTRATION
Scientific Illustration
Meet a scientific illustrator and experience a live demonstration of drawings
used for scientific publications and research. Free with museum admission.
Friday, August 27, 3-3:30 pm; California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard
Street (415) 379-8000
KIDS: THINGS TO DO
Story Time
The Academy's story time takes place every Saturday, at 11 a.m. August
stories focus on night skies. Free with museum admission. For children
ages 3-7.
Saturday, August 28, 11 am; California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard
Street (415) 379-8000
KIDS: THINGS TO DO
Introduction to the Bay Area Ant Survey
Meet with Academy scientists and learn how to participate in this unique
scientific study. Limited to first 20 participants. Free with museum admission.
Saturday, August 28, 11:30 am & 2:30 pm; California Academy of Sciences,
875 Howard Street (415) 379-8000
KIDS: THINGS TO DO
Fall Birdwatching
Thousands of migrating birds fly over California every fall as they head
south. Search for them in Golden Gate Park. Look for yellow-rumped and
townsend's warblers, cedar waxwings, fox sparrows, and more. Wear warm,
layered clothing and walking shoes, and bring binoculars and water. Ages
8 and up. FREE Reservations required: (415) 379-8000. Sunday, August 29,
9-10:30 am. Meet at the corner of Middle Drive Road and 9th Avenue in
Golden Gate Park. Rain cancels program.
CONSERVATION DOCUMENTARY & LECTURE
The Last Journey for the Giant Leatherback?
Film and special lecture with Sylvia Earle, Ph.D.
Join the California Academy of Sciences for a special showing of The Last
Journey for the Leatherback? This new documentary focuses on the magnificent
Pacific leatherback sea turtle and threats to their survival. Produced
by Emmy-award winner Stan Minasian, this film will be followed by a presentation
by renowned oceanographer Sylvia Earle, Ph.D. Dr. Earle is an explorer-in-residence
at the National Geographic Society who was named Time magazine's first
"hero for the planet," and was formerly a curator with the Academy.
The plight of the leatherback is emblematic of the threats facing a myriad
of ocean species. The leatherback has swum the Earth's oceans for 100
million years, but threats to their ocean ecosystem could drive them extinct
within the next decade. Learn how scientists and conservationists are
working to save the leatherback from extinction and the impact that individuals
can have on the marine ecosystems.
This event is co-sponsored with the Sea Turtle Restoration Project. For
information about a Sea Turtle Restoration Project reception with Earle
prior to the video showing, please call (415) 488-0370 ext. 105. There
will also be a six-foot submersible submarine for viewing at the presentation.
Tuesday, August 31, 8 pm for info call the California Academy of Sciences
(415) 379-8000
To order tickets, call the JCCSF Box Office at (415) 292-1233 or e-mail
arts@jccsf.org. Tickets also sold at the door, when available. Tuesday,
August 31, 8 pm; 6 members & students, $8 non-members; JCCSF, 3200
California Street, San Francisco.
The California Academy of Sciences, including Steinhart
Aquarium and the Natural History Museum, is open to the public at 875
Howard Street, Admission to the Academy at 875 Howard Street is: $7 for
adults, $4.50 for youth ages 12 to 17, Seniors ages 65+ and students with
valid ID, $2 for children ages four to 11 and children ages three and
younger will be admitted free of charge. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every
day. www.calacademy.org (415) 379-8000.
The California Academy of Sciences, the fourth largest
natural history museum in the United States, is home to Steinhart Aquarium,
Morrison Planetarium and the Natural History Museum. The Academy is beginning
an extensive rebuilding project in Golden Gate Park. Pritzker prize-winning
architect Renzo Piano is designing the new Academy, which is expected
to open in 2008.
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