Teachers’ Lounge

Did you know that the Naturalist Center at the Academy hosts a book club for adults? Known as Bookworms, this monthly book group focuses on science-themed books hand-picked by our librarians and the group.

This book group meets after the museum closes, so you’ll have time to commute after school. Just be sure to read the work before coming, since the group jumps right into discussion.

The Naturalist Center often has these books (and many more!) available for check-out in their library. Head to the the Academy library and choose “Naturalist Center” in the dropdown menu to check availability.

Academy staff need to know to expect you, so you can be escorted to the meeting room from the business entrance off Middle Drive. To reserve a place, pick up a “ticket” on the online calendar or call 800-794-7576. Space is limited.

Bookworms Adult Book Club: Selections for Spring

Topic: Science + Love with Primates

Bonobo Handshake: A Memoir of Love and Adventure in the Congo by Vanessa Woods

Most of us know something about chimpanzees, but few of us are well acquainted with bonobos, an endangered ape, with which humans share 98.7 percent of their DNA. Join the group for a discussion of Woods’ study of these animals and her development as a scientist.

SFPL . Amazon

Topic: At Table: Fish No More?

Four Fish: The Future of the Last Wild Food by Paul Greenberg

Considered one of the best books of 2010, Greenberg’s book explores the history on the world’s tables of the most popular fish: salmon, sea bass, cod and tuna. Join us for a discussion of how what we eat might change.

SFPL . Amazon

Topic: Marie Curie in Love and the Lab

Radioactive: Marie and Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss

Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first person to win two Nobels in two different fields. Join us for a discussion of this illustrated and unconventional look at her life and her science.

SFPL . Amazon

The San Francisco section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) invites 7th and 8th graders to participate in the 23rd Annual Essay Contest!

The theme of the essay is to propose a space mission using a CubeSat. What is a CubeSat, you ask? It is a mini-satellite used for space research. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to include in your essay:

• where it would fly
• what data it would gather
• what type of instruments would be onboard to gather that data
• and the benefits expected for science, technology, or education

The essay should be 1000 words or less and will be judged on originality and realism, soundness of logic used to develop your ideas, and quality of composition and clarity of expression.

Am I eligible? Any 7th or 8th grader enrolled in a school in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, or Sonoma counties is eligible.

Essays must be received by March 15, 2011. For more information, click here, or email Samantha Infeld.

Our friends over at Action For Nature, an international non-profit based here in San Francisco, are recruiting youth bloggers willing to volunteer their time to update their new online blog with environmental news, eco-friendly tips, and their own opinions surrounding environmental issues.

Youth aged 9 to 18 are encouraged to apply; the best 7 candidates will make the cut — one for each day of the week!

Each blogger will be responsible for publishing at least one post on their assigned day of the week.

Example of common entries include those in the following categories:

Environmental News
Reporting on environmental news — in the United States or beyond! — including links to original source articles

Eco-Friendly Tips
Sharing tips for other youth & adults on how to make a difference in their day-to-day lives

Environmental Blogging
Writing editorial commentary on any environmental issue; reviewing books, films, music, or other media; and sharing updates on personal projects or work related to the environment

With a mission “to encourage young people to take personal action to nurture and protect a healthy environment on which all life depends,” Action For Nature also honors stellar youth who have created and conducted environmental projects. Applications for the 2011 International Young Eco-Hero Awards are due February 28, 2011, so if you know of a student who is a prime example, please encourage them to apply!

Share the Love—Member Appreciation Month (February 1 – 28, 2011)

Become part of the Academy and Share the Love! Enjoy 20% off memberships and renewals purchased in February!  Members will enjoy exclusive benefits and programs such as Claude the Albino Alligator: Training & Feeding, reserved members-only passes to planetarium shows, and docent-led tours of Academy research collections. Plus, members save 20% off general admission tickets, shopping at Academy Stores, and dining at the Moss Room restaurant.
 

Discounted general admission tickets can be purchased online with promotion code EDU20 and Member ID.  Tickets purchased online can be used for up to a year. Print this page to redeem on-site at the Academy.

Teacher Memberships are available using our application.  Please include Promo Code EDU20 at the top of the form for the discount.

For a full list of “Share the Love” member benefits, please click here.

Check out all of the benefits of membership.