Share a Steinhart Story

Places like the AOS bring families together and quality time making treasured moments and memories. Having a butterfly land on your hand and hearing the words "mom, quick take a picture!" are moments I live for! Having a place like this and being able to spend a day seeing nature and learning about all sorts of things while having fun.. is something we look to do often and then when my kids have kids they can do also!

On October 2, 2014 I went on a first date with a very sweet and handsome guy at the Academy. My mom and I were so impressed that he chose the Academy as our first date location and that he pre purchased our tickets. Bonus points. My wonderful dad loves aquariums, so I knew right away when my date was telling me all about the fish and sites I was seeing, that he and my dad would get along well. More points. In the arts and crafts skull exhibit his drawing of a skull was amazing, which reminded me of my brother and his love of drawing. Even more points. Then we had a blast dancing, which were the final points I needed to know he was someone special. We made our way up to the green living roof, gazed at the beautiful scenery and star lit sky. All of a sudden the biggest shooting star we’d ever seen whooshed across the sky. I turned to my date and said, “I think that’s a sign that we should kiss.” And kiss we did. The most magical first kiss I had ever had and we’ve been together ever since. Now we get to share the Academy and this wonderful story of ours to our two girls, which I’m sure they’ll get sick of hearing someday. :)

Thank you Steinhart Aquarium. The most interesting and ideal place to connect with the natural world, the next generation, and with each other.

You were there the night my now fiance and I met (first date, member's evening), and we got to know each other while gazing down into your tank waiting to see if you would move, telling each other stories about times we'd seen you swimming around or being fed. You were there the night we got engaged outside the Academy 3 years later - see photo attached, taken before I knew what was about to happen. You were swimming around that night so hard, now I know what you were all excited about. Thanks for your energy and your spirit. Hope you can come to the wedding. It's taking place in England next summer, so maybe start swimming? Thanks for being part of our story, we love you!

One of my many favorite memories from the Academy was watching a child run around on the circular bench surrounding the Whale Sculpture outside the front door of the Old Academy. He caught his foot on the small "curb" at the back of the bench and dove headlong into the pool. No injuries - maybe pride - and made quite a big splash! And I remember when I was a small child looking through the Sea Horse railing into the old grotto where the alligators lived.

My fondest memory of the Academy of Science was when I was young. Our school field trip was to visit the Academy of Science. Although, I enjoyed everything in the Academy of Science, I was most amazed in the Aquarium. All the different types of beautiful colored fishes. What amazed me the most was the octopus. I stood and watch it for many minutes. Hoping the Academy will bring joy to many other school children as it did me.