Daily Programs
Don’t miss the goings-on in this living, breathing natural history and science museum. It’s your chance to get closer to the science and drama of daily life at the Academy.
The program schedule is subject to change. Please check with the Information Desk when you arrive for current show times.
Planetarium Shows
 |
LIFE: A COSMIC STORYHow did life on Earth begin? This tantalizing question forms the basis of the second all-digital planetarium show produced by the Academy for the Morrison Planetarium’s 75-foot diameter dome. WINNER of the “Best Fulldome Program” category at the 2011 Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival! On Sunday, February 5 (Quarterly Free Sunday) and Saturday, February 18, the Planetarium show will be Tour of the Universe, offered every half-hour, with the last show of the day 30 minutes before museum closing time. No show at 1:00 pm. For President’s Day, Monday, February 20, Life: A Cosmic Story will be shown every 45 minutes, starting at 10:30 am. The bonus featurette, Alien Worlds, will also be available in Hohfeld Hall every 45 minutes, starting at 10:40 am. The Planetarium will be closed for maintenance on Monday & Tuesday, March 5 & 6, 2012. Showings of Life: A Cosmic Story will resume on Wednesday, March 7. Showtimes for LIFE: A COSMIC STORY
Please note that this schedule is subject to change due to exhibit closures or special events. Through June 8, 2012: All 10:30 am shows Monday through Friday are reserved for school groups, arranged in advance. * Please note: The Planetarium is very popular and tickets are handed out on a first come first serve basis due to limited seating. Visit the cart at the planetarium theater to pick up a show pass. In addition, please remember that shows may not be appropriate for kids 6 and under, and that children 3 and under are not permitted. BONUS PRESENTATION!On Sundays & Museum Free Days, catch Alien Worlds in Hohfeld Hall, the Planetarium’s preshow area. Inspired by our main Planetarium presentation, Life: A Cosmic Story, this live, 10-minute featurette explores environments within our own solar system that scientists think might provide the most likely places for life to exist beyond Earth. Find out what Mars looks like up close, what it was like to land on Saturn’s moon, Titan, and more! Shows at 10:40, 11:25, 12:10, 12:55, 1:40, 2:25, 3:10, 3:55, & 4:40 in Hohfeld Hall. No passes required. Enter from the Lab Junior side of the Planetarium dome. All ages welcome. Space limited. |
Penguin Feeding
 |
The Academy’s African Penguins live in a fascinating social colony. These relationships—who is mating with whom, arranged marriages and family squabbles—are always especially apparent during meal time. Watch the birds dip and dive, strut and show off in their tank at the end of African Hall as a biologist dons a wet suit and hands out vitamin-stuffed herring and capelin. Feeding times: Everyday at 10:30 am and 3:00 pm. |
California Spotlight
 |
Throughout history, California has been home to some of the most unique landscapes and amazing wildlife found in North America. Join us for a special look at some of the animals that are from this land, including the grizzly, the mountain lion, and the condor. Daily at 11:00 am. |
Little Naturalist: Wild and Crafty
 |
Get creative and learn about animals during this program that pairs children’s literature with a take-home craft. For children ages 3 to 5 and their families. Location: Naturalist Center 1st, 3rd and 5th Mondays at 10am |
Little Naturalist: Sprouts
 |
Explore plants, animals, geology, weather, and seasons in a variety of nature’s gardens, including deserts, forests, wetlands, and even your own backyard! The program can include learning games, simple crafts, stories, and other fun activities. For children ages 3 to 5 and their families. Location: Naturalist Center 2nd and 4th Mondays at 10am |
Little Naturalist: Children of the World
A special program highlighting children from around the world through stories, crafts, music and movement. For children ages 3 to 5 and their families.
Location: Naturalist Center
2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 10am
Little Learners’ Lab
Become a scientist-in-training and join us for a fun hands-on experiment. For children ages 3 to 5 and their families.
Location: Naturalist Center
1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesdays at 10am
Animal Tales
 |
Children aged 2-5 and their parents are invited to the Early Explorers Cove to listen to stories about nature, science, and the wonderful world around us. Free with Academy admission. Location: Early Explorers Cove; space is limited Every Saturday at 11:00 am. |
Family Nature Crafts
|
Families with children aged 4 to 8 are invited to make nature themed crafts. Space is limited. Location: Swamp Every Sunday 10am-12pm (or until all 100 crafts have been made) |
Coral Reef Dives
 |
Watch as a diver suits up in SCUBA gear and plunges into the world’s deepest living coral reef exhibit. Outfitted with an underwater microphone, the diver will discuss love on the reef—from fish and coral spawning to captive breeding programs—and amazing adaptations these animals have to thrive in this ecosystem. Divers can answer all of your reef-related questions. Dive times: Everyday at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. |
Specimen Spotlight
 |
Did you know the Academy is home to over 26 million specimens?! That’s a lot of fur, feathers, teeth and spines! Join us at the Project Lab as we highlight a different specimen each week. Every Friday at 11:30 am. |
Sweet Side of DNA
 |
Have you ever wondered what “the essence of life” – DNA – would look like if you held it in the palm of your hand? In the course of this 15-minute program, we will crush up fresh strawberries and extract their DNA in order to see it up close and personal – without the aid of a microscope. During the process, discover why some scientists call DNA the most extraordinary molecule on earth. Saturdays & Sundays at 12:00 pm. |
Snakes in Springtime
How and when do limbless snakes find "love"? When springtime arrives, it signals the beginning of the reproductive cycle for snakes and many other animals. Learn how they charm one another, who nests and who doesn’t, and species that lay eggs or give birth to live young.
Daily at 12:30 pm.
Pollination Partners: Bees and Flowers
Pollinators like bees are a crucial link in ecosystems and agriculture around the world, allowing flowering plants—from roses and sunflowers to cotton and strawberries—to reproduce year after year. Bees, who depend on these plants for nectar, communicate the locations of flowers to each other with dances. In this fun, interactive program, discover how these pollination partners help one another, and perform a bee-dance of your very own.
Daily at 1:00 pm.
Sounds of the Swamp
 |
Alligators use some surprising methods to entice a mate and then successfully rear young. Meet Claude the Academy’s albino alligator, and learn about love in the swamp. Friday - Monday at 1:30 pm. |
Sharks & Rays
 |
Sharks and rays are some of the most compelling and misunderstood animals on the planet. Meet the biologists of the Steinhart Aquarium who care for these surprising creatures and discover some of the fact behind the fiction. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 1:30 pm. |
Planetary Exploration
Planetary Exploration explores how life has been evolving on Earth for billions of years, and how the regular changes in Earth’s landscape and climate help guide the way life evolves. Using Google Earth to investigate this fascinating story, imagine with us how evolution could play out on other worlds throughout the universe!
Daily at 2:00 pm.
Live Birds of Prey
 |
The Academy is home to several rescued birds of prey, including a Barn Owl, Swainson’s Hawk, and Turkey Vulture. Visit the West Garden to learn about these magnificent raptors from a biologist providing their daily care. Monday - Friday at 2:00 pm. |
Out of the Lab
|
Are you interested in a behind-the-scenes view of Academy Research and the labs where the work gets done? Our scientists will join visitors at the Project Lab to share stories about dissecting and documenting the many specimens collected on their global expeditions. Saturdays & Sundays at 2:30 pm. |
Science Story Adventures
 |
Come explore the natural world through stories, experiments, games and crafts. For ages 4 - 8. Every Sunday at 2:30 pm. |
The Naturalist Center provides a welcoming environment for individualized, in-depth inquiry about the natural world and sustainability.
Students, teachers and families can walk in during Academy hours and gain access to research material, multimedia resources, and personal one-on-one attention from Academy staff.
- Ask questions about the natural world
- Access books, DVDs and online resources
- Find out more about Academy scientists and their work
- Identify and research specimens
- Learn about the the building and its LEED certification.
- Find out more about Sustainability and how you can make a difference.
Hours: Monday – Friday 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Before You Get Here |
|
Get the most out of your visit to the new Academy.
Evolving Traditions |
|
Explore this new exhibit featuring Native American pottery and silver jewelry.
Adopt an Animal |
|
Help contribute to the care of Claude, the albino alligator, and other animals while supporting the Academy’s efforts to raise awareness about the threats these species face in the wild.
Memberships |
|
Join Today! Academy members enjoy a full year of unlimited admission, reserved Planetarium passes, access to special events, Academy discounts, and more!
