Homeschool Day: September 1, 2010
HOMESCHOOL DAY
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Join us on this special day of presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on programs, when we invite homeschooling families to explore the Academy at reduced admission prices.
Download and print the FAQ and Registration Guide, which includes everything you need for planning your experience and reserving a spot for your family.
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ADMISSION & PROGRAM FEES |
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San Francisco Homeschool Families Two adults may attend with their children (ages 4-17) for free. Homeschool Families from outside San Francisco Free Admission for Infants and Toddlers Additional Chaperones Reserved Programs |
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REGISTRATION |
| Individual families may register beginning Tuesday, August 10, 2010.
Pre-registration is required for all attending family members for general admission and any reserved programs. Walk-ups will not be admitted at these discounted rates, but we will continue to register interested families through August 31, 2010. Print-at-home tickets will be issued to you by email, and your confirmation will list any reserved programs. Bring these printouts with you on the day of the event to gain admittance. Fill out the Registration Guide with key information before placing your call to the Contact Center at 800.794.7576. Registration is not available online or via email. |
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MAIN VENUES Take your time exploring our exhibits. Note special hours for the following: |
| Rainforests of the World Level 1, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm |
 Experience what it’s like to walk in a living rainforest. Our dome contains 1,600 live animals, including 600 free-flying birds and butterflies, 100 exotic reptiles and amphibians, and a cave of bats. You’ll descend in an elevator to the Amazonian flooded forest on the Lower Level. |
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Morrison Planetarium: Journey to the Stars Level 1, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm on the half hour |
 Travel through time and space to experience the dramatic lives and deaths of stars. Witness supernova explosions and dive into the heart of the Sun. Passes are handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the kiosk at the Planetarium entrance to select your show time. For ages 7+. Ages 3 and under not permitted.
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Naturalist Center Level 3, 10 am – 5 pm |
 With books, specimens, and online access, this space is a great place to learn more about the natural world with one-on-one help from Academy naturalists. Visitors with shared interests can sit and chat; Academy Members have the privilege of checking out books, DVDs, and curriculum guides. Scavenger hunts available upon request. |
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Early Explorers Cove Level 1, 10 am – 5 pm |
 In this space reserved for toddlers and their parents, kids experiment and interact with displays, including a California backyard garden and an Academy schooner. For focused learning with your child, check out a Nature in your Noodle Box. For ages 5 and under.
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Extreme Mammals Level 2, last entry 4:30pm |
 Featuring spectacular fossils and other specimens from the Museum’s collections, this exhibition examines the ancestry and evolution of numerous species, ranging from huge to tiny, from speedy to sloth-like, and displays animals with oversized claws, fangs, snouts, and horns. Check in at the exhibit on Level 2 for access. Appropriate for all ages. Exhibit ends September 12, 2010.
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DROP-IN PROGRAMS |
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Discover with Docents Level 1, Throughout the Day |
 Be on the lookout for enthusiastic, knowledgeable docents in orange lab coats. Investigate specimens up-close, watch a volcano explode, build an ice-cold comet, or meet a live animal ambassador. Docents stationed on the floor are ready for your questions, and some are set to host impromptu tours. You’ll find most docents on Level 1; visit others at the hands-on Discovery Tidepool on the Lower Level.
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Penguin Feeding 10:30 am and 3:30 pm in African Hall |
 Did you know that 17 species of penguins exist on the globe, and most do not inhabit Antarctica? Where are our penguins from? Meet Pierre, Ocio, and the rest of the African penguin colony. Aquarium biologists field visitor questions as they feed and care for the birds.
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Specimen Spotlight 11:30 am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm in the Naturalist Center |
 Learn about a different Naturalist Center specimen in each of these focus talks. Note that seating is limited. Recommended for ages 6+. |
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Coral Reef Dives 11:30 am and 2:30 pm at the Philippine Coral Reef |
 Talk with a diver who descends into the exhibit to introduce you to the world’s deepest living coral reef exhibit. What question will you ask? Bring along a Coral Reef Color Wheel, or try your hand at some Fish Family Identification.
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P is for Penguin 12:00 pm in African Hall |
 A chance to meet Pierre, Howard, Ocio and the rest of the African Penguin colony. Learn more about these amazing birds by playing a fun spelling bee game and learning the special mystery word-of-the-day. For children ages 12 and under. |
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Swamp Talk 1:00 pm at the Swamp |
 Learn about some of the Academy’s most popular animals. You’ll find out what it takes to care for the albino alligator and the alligator snapping turtles, which are native to swamps in the southeastern United States. By the way, how did we get the turtles into the exhibit? |
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Coral Reef Discovery 1:30 pm at the Philippine Coral Reef |
 Learn about the Academy’s Philippine Coral Reef tank, the world’s deepest exhibit of living coral. An exhibit expert will introduce you to the unique fish and corals and answer all of your reef-related questions. |
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Live Birds of Prey 2:00 pm, conditions permitting, in the West Gardens |
 Residents of this outside enclosure include a Barn Owl, a Swainson’s Hawk, and a Turkey Vulture. Get a peek at these magnificent raptors, and watch a biologist providing care. |
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Extreme Life Mysteries 12:30 pm at Science in Action |
| Extreme animals aren’t just a thing of the past! Join us for this fun exploration of curious and extraordinary animals living today. |
RESERVED PROGRAMS These programs involve pre-registration due to room capacity. While the A Tour of Our Solar System show is a seated presentation in the Planetarium, all of the courses taking place in the Classroom and Education Lab are hands-on activities designed for both individual and group learning. Registration is subject to availability. Any associated fees are per participant and due upon registration. |
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Morrison Planetarium: A Tour of Our Solar System Level 1, 9:30 am |
 Find out what makes up a planet, and get a close-up view of the planets in our solar system. Examine features that they have in common, as well as those that make each planet unique. This show is presented live by Academy staff. Adult attendance required. Families should line up by 9:15am. For ages 7+. Free. |
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Introduction to Natural Selection Level 3, Classroom, 10:30 am and 11:30 am |
 Natural selection is one of the primary processes responsible for evolution – the change over time of populations of living things. Through careful observations of real specimens, students will understand how variation fuels this process. Then, activities will model how predation and fitness can affect a population over time. Join us to be introduced to these basic elements of natural selection! For ages 10+. $7.95/person. |
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Build an EcoHouse Level 3, Classroom, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
 How can we make a home more energy efficient? Which flooring is most sustainable? How will we conserve water? What about the landscaping? Following an introduction to green building practices, we’ll work together in teams to choose building materials and implement sustainable strategies as we design our own Eco-dollhouse! For ages 10+. $7.95/person. |
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Owl Pellets, for the little ones Level 3, Education Lab, 10:30 am – 11:30 am |
 After learning about how, where, and what barn owls hunt, students will dig into a regurgitated owl pellet. This hands-on exploration is accessible to young learners, and loads of fun. Parents can help to identify any found creatures using a dichotomous key based on the characteristics of animal skulls. Each participant (adults included!) may take home their collection of discovered bones! For ages 5-7. $7.95/person. |
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Owl Pellets, for the bigger kids Level 3, Education Lab, 11:45 am – 12:45 pm |
| Students will learn how to use the scientific method to answer questions, collecting class data from their owl pellet dissections to determine the diversity and percent composition of species preyed upon by barn owls of the Pacific Northwest. Each participant (adults included!) may take home their collection of discovered bones! For ages 8+. $7.95/person. |
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Waste and Water Challenges Level 3, Education Lab, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
 Confused about how to sort waste into trash, recycling, and compost? Or are you an expert? Test your skills in our sorting relay race! Then, students will design efficient reusable water scenarios in a wet, hands-on challenge using household materials. Join us for activities related to the thoughtful use (and reuse!) of natural resources. For ages 8+. $7.95/person. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What time should we arrive at the museum? Is parking available at the Academy? What if we bring more people than originally stated on our reservation? What should we do for lunch? What other services might be helpful to know about? How should our family prepare for the museum? Where can we find scavenger hunts? Ready-to-go Worksheets » Animal Safari Cards
» My Expedition to Africa How do I register with my child to attend one of the reserved programs? What are the expectations for adult participation? Where are the Classroom and Education Lab located? When do we meet? My child is advanced for his/her age. Can I sign him/her up for a program designed for older students? Can you accommodate children with special needs? What is the difference between the A Tour of Our Solar System show and the Journey to the Stars show? I have reserved seats for A Tour of Our Solar System. Where and when do we line up? How do we get passes for the Journey to the Stars Planetarium show? Is there an age limit to attend a show in the Planetarium? |
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We hope you can join us! Don’t hesitate to leave comments and questions for us below. |
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Here is a handy list of sample activities:
