Exhibits and experiences for explorers of all ages

Larger-than-life orchid mantis model with outstretched legs in Bugs exhibit
OPEN THROUGH JANUARY 22

Bugs

An arthropod extravaganza has buzzed into the Academy! Celebrate our multi-legged friends in a new exhibition with models, games, specimens, and more.
Guest peers into the skull of a fossilized saber-toothed cat in Hidden Wonders exhibition at the Academy
OPEN DAILY

Hidden Wonders

Ancient. Irreplaceable. And now on view! Peek into the past in a new exhibition featuring fascinating specimens from the Academy's vast research collections.
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Events and activities to kick-start your curiosity

Morrison Planetarium interior with still from Living Worlds on screen
NOW PLAYING

Living Worlds

Is anybody out there? In our newest planetarium show, see how surprising discoveries about life on Earth could help us detect alien life light years away.
Young girls play in indoor snow flurries at Academys Tis the Season for Science
OPEN THROUGH JANUARY 8

'Tis the Season for Science

This winter, warm your spirits at our annual celebration of all things cold! Frolic under flurries, experiment in the Ice Lab, and revel in live music and magic.
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World-changing science starts here

Prakrit Jain uses iNaturalist on his iPhone to take a picture of a scorpion
COMMUNITY SCIENCE

Two new scorpion species!

For two Bay Area teens, a passion for iNaturalist and a collaboration with Lauren Esposito, PhD, led to the discovery of two new-to-science scorpion species.
3 kids look at a stingray swimming underneath them at the Academy
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Join, renew, or donate

Keep up with your favorite creatures by visiting for free all year long—and support our research, education, and access initiatives while you're at it.
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