Academy of Natural Science creates useful learning of science

The Academy of Natural Science is located in Philadelphia and was created to encourage the cultivation of science and advancement of useful learning. The history of the academy has a close relationship between the natural world and the people of America. The academy is the oldest natural sciences institution in the Western Hemisphere. Upon foundation of the academy the state of Philadelphia was the cultural, commercial and scientific center of the new nation.

There are over 17 million specimens in the academy's collection, which have been studied, catalogued and put on exhibition for the public. The academy opened to the public in 1828 and revealed the mysteries of nature. The collection grew quickly due to gifts, purchases, exchanges and expeditions from scientists and the general public.

Permanent Exhibits at the academy include Butterflies! A tropical garden located within the academy is filled with colorful plants and a wide variety of butterflies from Central and South America, Southeast Asia and East Africa. It is hard to put a number on the amount of species of butterflies in the exhibit as the butterfly has such a short life span. On just one day there can be up to 150 butterflies and up to 40 species. There are food stations located around the exhibit, which make a great spot to view the butterflies. The butterflies may be resting on the walls or ceiling or even on the floor so visitors are asked to watch where they walk.

Upon entering the academy the first thing visitors will see is the 42 foot long, 7.5 ton Tyrannosaurus Rex. In Dinosaur Hall there are over 30 species of dinosaur represented in full skeletal mounts. There are also dinosaur eggs, sculptures, footprints, tools used by paleontologists and a green screen video studio, which projects images of the visitors into the dinosaur world. The most popular attractions in Dinosaur Hall are The Big Dig where visitors can hunt for dinosaur bones and the Fossil Prep Lab where fossils that are collected are prepared for study.

Located in the rear of the Ground Floor is the Live Animal Center, which is home to more than 100 live animals such as birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. The center has large ceiling to floor observation windows allowing visitors a behind the scenes look at these animals and the daily tasks undertaken by staff and volunteers in caring for these animals. The animals in the center have either been injured or born in captivity and would not survive in the wild, these animals help the center to teach visitors about the environment and conservation. The animals in the center eat up to 10 pounds of greens a week, 3 cases of fruit and vegetables, 20 lbs. of dry foods such as duck and chinchilla feed and over 1,000 frozen mice.

Outside In is a children's nature museum where the outdoors have been brought in for a hands-on experience for children aged between 3-8, but is also fun for older siblings, parents and grandparents. At Outside In visitors can experience the forest, an ocean shore or a mountain pond, touch a meteorite, view a stream from below, look for fossil footprints, watch a real working beehive, build a sandcastle or read a book on the porch that was build for a special volunteer of Outside In, Lucy's Back Porch. Children are also able to meet live animals such as a legless lizard, cockroaches, tortoise or a rabbit. Outside In is located on the third floor of the center.

The academy has had to move location three times in sixty years as it outgrew the buildings. The present home of the academy is on the outskirts of Philadelphia, which is now the heart of Philadelphia's cultural district. The academy has become a modern museum, which is a place that can offer visitors the chance to view exhibitions and attend public lectures.

A caf, is located on the ground floor at the academy offering visitors home-made soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas and snacks. The food at the academy is provided by a company the aims to provide fresh, healthy food served in environmentally friendly packaging. A gift shop is located next to the Admissions Desk and stocks many collectibles, gifts, educational kits and natural history books.