Learn & Explore

  • A dazzling underwater scene in the Red Sea with a school of bright orange reef fish
  • A variety of colorful beetle specimens from the entomology collection
  • Microbiologist Shannon Bennett using a pipette in her lab at the California Academy of Sciences
  • Two young guests marvel at the sea nettle jellyfish exhibit
  • An ancient terracotta animal figure is delicately displayed by our anthropology collections manager
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Dive the mesophotic zone of the Philippines. Rise through the treetops of tropical Malaysia. Zoom in on a single scale of a butterfly's wing. Academy science helps explain our world. Explore it with us.
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Colorful GIF of a collage of science crafts

Science @ Home

Kids ages 4-11 will love becoming experts on butterflies, penguins, coral reefs, and more through themed activity packs containing hands-on projects for every day of the week.

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A trio of Academy scientists on a boat in scuba gear, ready to dive Palau.

Science Heroes

If it blooms, swims, or flies, it’s probably an Academy scientist’s obsession. Get to know the people putting their curiosity to work for the future of our planet.

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An Academy diver is dwarfed by a giant coral colony in Grand Cayman

Scientific Expeditions

Madagascar. The Philippines. Palau. Cameroon. The Academy goes where biodiversity thrives—or is threatened. Explore the globe with us and experience the adventurous side of science.

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A stunning leafy seadragon swimming in its exhibit at the Steinhart Aquarium

Creature Closeups

There's a story behind every species on exhibit. Get to know a few of the Steinhart Aquarium's most captivating residents.

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A sawshark specimen forms the shape of a circle against a dramatic black background

Specimen Spotlights

With one of the world's largest and most important scientific collections, the Academy is a library of life. See some of our most striking specimens.

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Citizen science observation

Citizen Science

To protect biodiversity, we need to know more about it. Academy scientists travel the globe to explore, explain, and sustain, but they can’t be everywhere. That's where you come in.

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A young visitor explores the Macro Color magnifier on exhibit at the Academy

Apps & Interactives

Exercise your brain and activate your imagination with engaging, all-ages, hands-on learning tools, mobile apps, and Academy Science videos.

Underwater photo of African penguin swimming with fish in mouth

Animal Webcams

Our HD webcams stream 24/7, so you're never more than a click away from our stingrays, coral reef, penguins—and the otherworldly Farallon Islands.

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Mosaic of some of the 213 new species described by Academy scientists in 2020

New discoveries in 2020!

Academy scientists added 213 new species to the tree of life this year. Meet some of the standouts, from dazzling nudibranchs to a "slingshot predator" preserved in amber.