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Stephanie Greenman Stone (415) 379-5121
sstone@calacademy.org
What's On in February at the California Academy of Sciences
Exhibits, Events, Courses, and Lectures
EXHIBITS
African Penguin Colony - ongoing exhibit
Watch as The Academy's African penguins dip and dive in their new tank,
which contains four times as much water and nearly twice as much land
as their old home in Golden Gate Park. Enjoy feeding shows every day at
11:00 am and 3:30 pm. During the shows, visitors may watch and ask questions
as one the Academy's aquatic biologists dons a wet suit, measures the
temperature of the air and water, and then steps into the pool to toss
vitamin-stuffed herring and capelin to the penguins. Each feeding takes
20 minutes. Open every day from 10 am to 5 pm. California Academy of Sciences,
875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000.
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For a high resolution version of this image,
email Stephanie at sstone@calacademy.org.
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Coral Reef - ongoing exhibit
View a two-story, 20,000-gallon coral reef tank that features dozens of
tropical reef fish as well as a wide variety of colorful corals. Children
will especially love seeing the common clownfish (often called Nemo) and
the blue tang (otherwise known as Dory). Wetsuit-clad divers enter the
tank often to care for the corals and clean the tank walls. Academy biologists
are using this enormous tank to test ideas for the even larger 225,000-gallon
coral reef tank that will be a part of the New Academy when it opens in
Golden Gate Park in 2008. Open every day from 10 am to 5 pm. California
Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000.
Touch Tidepool - ongoing exhibit
During your next trip to the aquarium, don't let the fish have all the
fun - start splashing at the Touch Tidepool, where visitors can handle
a few of the animals that live along the California coastline, including
sea stars, turban snails, hermit crabs, and sea cucumbers. The tidepool
is staffed from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm almost every day with naturalists
and trained nature lovers who can answer questions about the animals and
their habitat. Even when facilitators are not present, clear plexiglass
tank walls allow visitors to view the tidepool inhabitants. Open every
day from 10 am to 5 pm. California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street.
(415) 379-8000.
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For a high resolution version of this image
or others, email Stephanie at sstone@calacademy.org.
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SSsssnake Alley - ongoing exhibit
They're scaly, slinky, and slithery, and they line the walls of a winding
passageway called SSsssnake Alley. View Steinhart Aquarium residents that
formerly made their home in the Swamp in Golden Gate Park, including the
anaconda, African rock python, ball python, pine snake, vine snakes, California
kingsnake, ground boas, and emerald tree boas. Stop by and say hello to
some of your favorite slithering snakes. Open every day from 10 am to
5 pm. California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000.
Steinhart Aquarium - ongoing exhibit
View thousands of fishes, a captivating array of reptiles and amphibians,
and the Academy's beloved penguin colony at Steinhart Aquarium every day.
Now that the animals are happily housed at 875 Howard Street, visitors
may view them in up-close displays that bring the back of the house to
the front, allowing the public to see the equipment and technology required
to keep an aquarium running. Open every day from 10 am to 5 pm. California
Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000.
ANTS: Hidden Worlds Revealed - through April 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, Honeypot 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. Open every
day from 10 am to 5 pm. California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street.
(415) 379-8000.
FEBRUARY EVENTS
EVERY DAY
Penguin Feedings
During daily penguin feeding shows, visitors may watch and ask questions
as one of the Academy's aquatic biologists dons a wet suit, measures the
temperature of the air and water, and then steps into the pool to toss
vitamin-stuffed herring and capelin to the penguins. Each feeding takes
20 minutes. Every day at 11 am and 3:30 pm; California Academy of Sciences,
875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000. Free with museum admission.
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|
For a high resolution version of this image
or others, email Stephanie at sstone@calacademy.org.
|
Army Ant Feedings
Known as the "Huns and Tartars of the insect world," Army ants are such
voracious eaters that one colony can decimate an area of more than 1,800
square yards in a single day. Now you can watch these fascinating ants
eat during a scheduled feeding every afternoon. Every day at 2:15 pm;
California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000. Free
with museum admission.
EVERY WEDNESDAY- SUNDAY
Hands-on Science at the Academy
Hands-on learning demonstrators teach visitors of all ages how to examine
microscopic aquatic life or study adaptations of marine animals. Takes
place every Wednesday through Sunday in January at 4 pm; California Academy
of Sciences, 875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000. Free with museum admission.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4
Children's Story Time
Children ages three to seven are welcome to join us for Story Time. This
month's selections will will be devoted to Black History Month. 2 pm;
California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000. Free
with museum admission.
Scientific Illustration Demonstration
Meet a scientific illustrator and experience a live demonstration of drawings
used for scientific publications and research. 3 pm; California Academy
of Sciences, 875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000. Free with museum admission.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Children's Story Time
Children ages three to seven are welcome to join us for Story Time. This
month's selections will will be devoted to Black History Month. 10:30
am; California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000.
Free with museum admission.
Skull Detectives
Dissect owl pellets with Academy naturalists. Learn how to use scientific
keys to identify skulls, compare your bones with native herbivores, and
prepare your own specimens to take home. 2-4 pm; California Academy of
Sciences, 875 Howard Street, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000. Free with
museum admission.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9
What's That Ant In My Kitchen?
Learn how to collect and identify local ant species. Researchers working
on the Bay Area Ant Survey will be available to answer questions and provide
information on how you can participate in this exciting scientific project.
Data sheets and ant collecting kits will be provided for all participating
families. 12-2 pm; California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street.
(415) 379-8000. Free with museum admission.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Wild Animal Mimics
Meet a live snake that pretends to be venomous, and see other examples
of insects, birds and reptiles that try to fool other animals in order
to survive. 12:30 & 1:30 pm; California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard
Street, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000. Free with museum admission.
Children's Story Time
Children ages three to seven are welcome to join us for Story Time. This
month's selections will be devoted to Black History Month. 2 pm; California
Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000.
Free with museum admission.
Scientific Illustration Demonstration
Meet a scientific illustrator and experience a live demonstration of drawings
used for scientific publications and research. 3 pm; California Academy
of Sciences, 875 Howard Street, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000. Free with
museum admission.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Children's Story Time
Children ages three to seven are welcome to join us for Story Time. This
month's selections will will be devoted to Black History Month. 10:30
am; California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000.
Free with museum admission.
The Social Evolution of Jazz
In honor of African-American Heritage Month, renowned jazz drummer Mr.
E. W. Wainwright and his ensemble, The African Roots of Jazz, take us
on a musical journey that traces African-American musical forms, such
as jazz, gospel, and spirituals, to their earliest beginnings in African
cultures. The program features instrumental music, songs, theater performance,
and audience participation. 1 pm; California Academy of Sciences, 875
Howard Street, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000. Free with museum admission.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Courtship in the Animal Kingdom
Celebrate Valentine's Day at the Academy! Learn about the diverse courtship
behaviors used by other members of the animal kingdom and discover some
of the unique strategies that animals employ for attracting a mate. 12-1
pm; California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118.
(415) 379-8000. Free with museum admission.
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For a high resolution version of this image
or others, email Stephanie at sstone@calacademy.org.
|
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Out of the Lab
Get a glimpse into the science behind-the-scenes at the Academy. Curators
and scientists will show their latest acquisitions and talk about their
research in places near and far. 12-1:30 pm; California Academy of Sciences,
875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000. Free with museum admission.
The Amazing (and tasty) Dungeness Crab
See real crab larvae, touch crab specimens, and explore the life cycle
of the Dungeness crab. 12:30 pm; California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard
Street, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000. Free with museum admission.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Third Thursday
Filled with cocktails, conversation, clownfish, and corals, the Academy
after-hours is the place to be on the third Thursday of every month. Explore
exhibits and aquarium displays while listening to live music and enjoying
a no-host bar. 5-9 pm; California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street.
(415) 379-8000. $5 admission.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Children's Story Time
Children ages three to seven are welcome to join us for Story Time. This
month's selections will be devoted to Black History Month. 2 pm; California
Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000.
Free with museum admission.
Scientific Illustration Demonstration
Meet a scientific illustrator and experience a live demonstration of drawings
used for scientific publications and research. 3 pm; California Academy
of Sciences, 875 Howard Street, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000. Free with
museum admission.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Children's Story Time
Children ages three to seven are welcome to join us for Story Time. This
month's selections will be devoted to Black History Month. 10:30 am; California
Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000. Free with museum
admission.
Cultural Traditions of Ecuador
Wearing hand-embroidered costumes, Martha Stammer-Brankline will perform
traditional Ecuadorian dances, including a chola dance from her hometown
of Cuenca, and explain the cultural significance of each dance and dress.
1 pm; California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118. (415) 379-8000.
Free with museum admission.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Skull Detectives
Dissect owl pellets with Academy naturalists. Learn how to use scientific
keys to identify skulls, compare your bones with native herbivores, and
prepare your own specimens to take home. 2-4 pm; California Academy of
Sciences, 875 Howard Street, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000. Free with
museum admission.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY
24
Homeschool Day
The California Academy of Sciences invites homeschool students and their
families to enjoy a day of special tours and activities at the Academy.
For this special event, admission for homeschool students and their families
is $1 (San Francisco County homeschoolers will be admitted free of admission).
10 am-5 pm; California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118.
(415) 379-8000.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Children's Story Time
Children ages three to seven are welcome to join us for Story Time. This
month's selections will be devoted to Black History Month. 2 pm; California
Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000.
Free with museum admission.
Scientific Illustration Demonstration
Meet a scientific illustrator and experience a live demonstration of drawings
used for scientific publications and research. 3 pm; California Academy
of Sciences, 875 Howard Street, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000. Free with
museum admission.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY
26
Children's Story Time
Children ages three to seven are welcome to join us for Story Time. This
month's selections will be devoted to Black History Month. 10:30 am; California
Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000. Free with museum
admission.
What's That Ant In My Kitchen?
Learn how to collect and identify local ant species. Researchers working
on the Bay Area Ant Survey will be available to answer questions and provide
information on how you can participate in this exciting scientific project.
Data sheets and ant collecting kits will be provided for all participating
families. 1-3 pm; California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street. (415)
379-8000. Free with museum admission.
FEBRUARY LECTURES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Conversations at the Herbst Theatre Lester Brown, founder of the Earth
Policy Institute & Worldwatch Institute, will speak in conversation with
Paul Hawken. 8 pm; $16.50 members, $18.50 non-members; Herbst Theatre,
401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco.
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For a high resolution version of this image
or others, email Stephanie at sstone@calacademy.org.
|
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11
A Tale of Two Whales
Lecture by Dave Weller, Ph.D., Marine Scientist, National Marine Fisheries
Service
Explore the life history of the two surviving populations of gray whales,
the Eastern and Western Pacific populations. This special lecture will
cover current information on the biology and ecology of gray whales and
will contrast their conservation stories. It will celebrate the successful
recovery of the Eastern population of gray whales, which swim past our
coast, and address the circumstances of the critically endangered Western
population. Dr. Weller will draw from his own experiences at Sakhalin
to describe first-hand the challenges Western gray whales are facing today.
Lecture is FREE to all. This lecture is co-sponsored by Oceanic Society
Expeditions. 7:30 pm; California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street,
San Francisco. (415) 379-8000.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Conversations at the Herbst Theatre Wendell Berry, author of Hannah Coulter
and Citizenship Papers, will speak in conversation with Jack Shoemaker.
8 pm; $16.50 members, $18.50 non-members; Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness
Avenue, San Francisco.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21
How Lonely is our Planet? New Results in the Quest for Alien Life
Benjamin Dean lecture with David Grinspoon Ph.D., Southwest Research Institute
In a talk illustrated with provocative and striking space imagery, the
author of the recent award winning book Lonely Planets: The Natural Philosophy
of Alien Life, will discuss the intriguing new results from NASA's missions
to Titan and Mars, and how these inform our changing views about life
elsewhere in the universe. 7:30 pm; Jewish Community Center of San Francisco,
3200 California Street, San Francisco.
ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
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For a high resolution version of this image
or others, email Stephanie at sstone@calacademy.org.
|
PENGUIN FEEDINGS
Every Day
During daily penguin feeding shows, visitors may watch and ask questions
as one of the Academy's aquatic biologists dons a wet suit, measures the
temperature of the air and water, and then steps into the pool to toss
vitamin-stuffed herring and capelin to the penguins. Each feeding takes
20 minutes. Every day at 11 am & 3:30 pm; California Academy of Sciences,
875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000. Free with museum admission.
ARMY ANT FEEDINGS
Every Day
Known as the "Huns and Tartars of the insect world," Army ants are such
voracious eaters that one colony can decimate an area of more than 1,800
square yards in a single day. Now you can watch these fascinating ants
eat during a scheduled feeding every afternoon. Every day at 2:15 pm;
California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000. Free
with museum admission.
CHILDREN'S STORY TIME
Fridays, February 4, 11, 18, and 25 at 2 pm
Saturdays, February 5, 12, 19, and 26 at 10:30 am
Children ages 3-7 are welcome to join us for Story Time. This month's
selections will be devoted to Black History Month. California Academy
of Sciences, 875 Howard Street, SF. (415) 379-8000. Free with museum admission.
SKULL DETECTIVES
Saturday, February 5 and Sunday, February 24 from 2-4 pm
Dissect owl pellets, learn how to use scientific keys to identify
skulls, and prepare your own specimens to take home. California Academy
of Sciences, 875 Howard Street, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000. Free with
museum admission.
WILD ANIMAL MIMICS
Friday, February 11 at 12:30 & 1:30 pm
Meet a live snake that pretends to be venomous, and see other examples
of insects, birds and reptiles that try to fool other animals in order
to survive. California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118.
(415) 379-8000. Free with museum admission.
COURTSHIP IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM
Monday, February 14 from 12-1 pm
Celebrate Valentine's Day at the Academy! Learn about the diverse courtship
behaviors used by other members of the animal kingdom and discover some
of the unique strategies that animals employ for attracting a mate. California
Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard Street, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000.
Free with museum admission.
WHAT'S THAT ANT IN
MY KITCHEN?
Wednesday, February 9 and Saturday, February 26 from 1-3 pm
Kids and their families can learn how to collect and identify local ant
species with Academy researchers. Data sheets and ant collecting kits
will be provided for all participating families. 1-3 pm; California Academy
of Sciences, 875 Howard Street. (415) 379-8000. Free with museum admission.
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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