Skip to content
The Academy of Natural Sciences

The Academy of Natural Sciences

  • Home
  • About

Category: People

two ducks flying over water

Academy Guide to Local Bird-watching Spots

April 1, 2023 Brigette Brown Birding, Environmental Science, People

Discover new and fascinating local bird populations or spot astounding migrators that fly through the tri-state regions, simply by visiting one of these amazing nearby parks, preserves, refuges or gardens.   

Read more

Crafting Scientific Leaders and Community this Summer Through DESLA

March 7, 2023 Brigette Brown Environmental Science, People, Program

A weeklong outdoors summer adventure for high school students that gets everyone out in the field doing real environmental research, right alongside our very own Academy scientists and BEES professors.

Read more
red wing black bird

Black Excellence in Local Birding Communities Is Creating Change at the Academy 

February 27, 2023 Brigette Brown Birding, People

New ANS partnerships and events with local Black Birders who are creating communities around the city and region to support equity and getting outdoors

Read more
dragonfly specimen

The Art of Tidying Up in the Entomology Collections

February 10, 2023 Brigette Brown Entomology, People

Drexel BEES student talks about the real scientific power (and fun!) of an orderly insect collection

Read more
pine barrens tree frog

Highlighting Biodiversity: Finding Frogs in the New Jersey Pine Barrens

February 3, 2023 Brigette Brown Biodiversity, Environmental Science, Herpetology, People

As the Academy celebrates biodiversity — the remarkable, beautiful tapestry of life on Earth — this year, we are delving into some of the fascinating locations our scientists have visited in the region and across the globe to study and help protect our planet’s phenomenally diverse and incredible species.

Read more

Now That’s Funky! Recent Fossil Discovery Honors Academy Scientist 

February 2, 2023 Brigette Brown Evolution, Fossil, Paleontology, People

Once-in-a-lifetime fossil finding at the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona honors the mentorship of Academy’s beloved scientist, Ned Gilmore

Read more

Celebrating 10 Years of BEES With Department Head David Velinsky, PhD

January 13, 2023 Brigette Brown Environmental Science, People

Q&A about the history of the BEES Department, how it has grown over the last 10 years and its many success stories

Read more
colorful puffbirds

Highlighting Biodiversity: Spectacular Birds and the Amazon River

January 12, 2023 Brigette Brown Biodiversity, Birding, Environmental Science, People

As the Academy celebrates biodiversity — the remarkable, beautiful tapestry of life on Earth — this year, we are delving into some of the fascinating locations our scientists have visited in the region and across the globe to study and help protect our planet’s phenomenally diverse and incredible species.

Read more
birds ready for mounting to the collection

A Day in the Life at the Academy’s Ornithology Department

November 14, 2022 Brigette Brown Birding, Environmental Science, People

BEES co-op takes us through their interesting work cataloging historic eggs, stuffing birds and even catching louse.

Read more

An Expedition Flag Conserved

September 28, 2022 Carolyn Belardo Featured, Library, People

A piece of exploration history associated with Matthew Henson and Robert Peary

Read more

Posts navigation

1 2 3 … 26 Next Posts»

Instagram

acadnatsci

🦖The oldest natural history museum in North America
🗓 Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
🎟 Plan your visit and save $2 on tickets at ansp.org

Academy of Natural Sciences
Can you guess why this picture is extraordinary? 🧐⁠
⁠
It's the site where Langlieria smalingi, a new species of lobe-finned fish was discovered! The Langlieria smalingi was a large predator that trolled the delta-like ecosystems in Pennsylvania during the Late Devonian (about 370 million years ago). It is the oldest known tristichopterid from the Catskill Formation. The specimen was collected by recreational paleontologists Jim Smaling and Jim Forster from an exposure of the Catskill Formation along a highway roadcut in Centre County. Pictured is Academy Research Associate Jason Downs. ⁠
⁠
Learn about more recent species discoveries involving Academy scientists on our blog via the link in bio!
Question: how many dinosaur toys are too many dino Question: how many dinosaur toys are too many dinosaur toys? Asking for a friend! 😉⁠
⁠
This birthday boy recently celebrated turning 3 at the museum! Did you know you can book a birthday party at the Academy? Link in bio to learn more. ⁠
⁠
📷 @fearlessbeautymama - thanks for sharing your experience!
How can we help birds thrive? Join us for a conver How can we help birds thrive? Join us for a conversation with Maiken Scott, host of WHYY’s The Pulse, and regional planner/bird conservationist Zoe Warner, PhD.⁠
⁠
Grassland birds — such as the beloved Bobolink and Meadowlark — are experiencing the most significant declines of any species due to habitat loss, landscape fragmentation, agricultural intensification and changes in land management. ⁠
⁠
Scott will interview Warner about a 10-year study conducted in Chester County, Pennsylvania, that has led to greater insights into bird habitat needs and a visionary plan to protect them. Learn how a voluntary effort called the Grasslands Bird Collaboration, which unites landowners, farmers and conservation organizations, is offering a hopeful model. ⁠
⁠
Wednesday, April 19, 6:30–8 p.m.⁠
Link in bio to learn more!
Your Friday night plans are right here! ⬇️⁠ Your Friday night plans are right here! ⬇️⁠
⁠
Join us for Dinos After Dark and enjoy pay-what-you-wish admission (suggested donation $10, tickets available at the door), a family friendly atmosphere and the Dino Drafts Beer Garden in Dinosaur Hall!⁠
⁠
At Dinos After Dark:⁠
⁠
✅ Explore our signature and special exhibits, including our newest exhibits Conversations With Birds and Microsculpture: The Insect Portraits of Levon Biss.⁠
✅ Get up close and personal to some of the Academy's most amazing animal ambassadors during a live animal show.⁠
✅ Learn about weather and climate during a very special live show.⁠
✅ Make and take a wet and watery frog craft, and learn why amphibians depend on a clean ecosystem.⁠
✅ Meet Library & Archives staff and check out rarely seen materials showcasing the work of pioneering limnologist Dr. Ruth Patrick.⁠
✅ Get an up-close look at fish specimens with staff from the Academy Fisheries team.⁠
✅ Purchase drinks and food from the Academy Beer Garden: Dino Drafts.⁠
⁠
Learn more via the link in bio! ⁠
⁠
It's #WorldWaterDay! Philadelphia artist Miriam Si It's #WorldWaterDay! Philadelphia artist Miriam Singer designed this visionary mural as part of the Global Philadelphia Association’s campaign to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. Sponsored by the Academy, the public artwork illustrates clean water and sanitation, the sixth in a series of 17 goals, each to be illustrated by a mural in Philadelphia. Visit it near our 19th street entrance on your next trip to the Academy to take a closer look and see how many objects and Philly landmarks you can identify. ⁠
⁠
Learn more about this project on the Academy blog via the link in bio.
Join us for an evening fireside chat with Emeritus Join us for an evening fireside chat with Emeritus Senior Curator of Entomology Daniel Otte, PhD, and Entomology Curatorial Assistant Greg Cowper. The program opens with Cowper and Otte at their campsite during an African expedition where they are discussing biodiversity and insect sound production. As the night progresses the auditorium enlivens with the sounds of crickets accompanied by a special appearance by the musical ensemble The Stridulators.⁠
⁠
Get all the details and tickets via the link in profile!
Ever wondered what it's like to be a scientist doi Ever wondered what it's like to be a scientist doing field work? High school students can gain invaluable knowledge this summer during a week-long session of Drexel Environmental Science Leadership Academy. Visit the link in bio to read about experiences of Drexel professors, Academy scientists and current @drexelbees students. ⁠
⁠
Interested in applying? DESLA applications are due April 30. Use the link in the blog post to see application instructions.
Did you know that a mass collision of thousands of Did you know that a mass collision of thousands of birds happened in downtown Philly on Oct. 2, 2020? This event prompted the formation of @BirdSafePhilly, which advocates for measures to reduce the number of collisions. ⁠
⁠
In April 2021, Philadelphia joined the national Lights Out initiative. Since then, more than 100 commercial, residential and municipal participants in the Philadelphia region have joined in turning off lights at night to help prevent bird collisions. ⁠
⁠
So how are we doing? ⁠
⁠
While still in the early stages and with limited data, Lights Out Philly has already begun to see the positive effects of turning the lights off. At one monitored building where artificial light has been reduced the most (Atrium building in the courtyard of the BNY Mellon Center, 1735 Market St.) fall collisions have declined by 70% since 2020. More years of monitoring in Philly are needed, but long-term monitoring and data analysis in Chicago has proved that Lights Out worked there to reduce collisions. ⁠
⁠
Learn more via the link in bio and don't forget to check out our brand new exhibit, Conversations With Birds. The exhibit explores the fascinating lives of local bird populations and the astounding migrators that fly through the region.
Happy International Women's Day! ⁠ ⁠ On Thursd Happy International Women's Day! ⁠
⁠
On Thursday, March 23 join us for our thirteenth annual "Life After WINS" gathering and alumnae panel. Register via the link in bio! ⁠
⁠
Women In Natural Sciences (WINS) is a free after-school and summer science enrichment program at the Academy of Natural Sciences serving young women in Philadelphia. Since its founding in 1982, WINS has introduced hundreds of high school women to future careers in science and other professions by providing hands-on science workshops, career and college exploration and positive youth development.⁠
⁠
This event highlights and celebrates current WINS students and the successes of program alumnae. Panelists will be sharing meaningful experiences in the program and the impact it has had on their lives.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • Academy Guide to Local Bird-watching Spots
  • Phenomenal Migration and Transformation of American Eels
  • Spotting Spring On Philly’s Nature Scene
  • Academy Scientists Make Important Discoveries
  • Highlighting Biodiversity: Familiar Flora in Newfoundland and Labrador
WordPress Theme: Poseidon by ThemeZee.