Video Collections

Commander Chris Hadfield's shared experiences on the International Space Station inspires future astronauts!

Kathi Koontz talks about her work with marine mammal entanglement.  Groups of volunteers work to free marine mammals from nets, fishing line, and other man-made hazards.

Vic Smith talks about Entomology (studying insects) in this session of Academy Chat with a Scientist

The Last Reef 3D (opens June 28, 2013) – Don a pair of 3D glasses and fly across iridescent tropical reefs, brush through a cloud of a thousand jellyfish, visit an alien world where the tiniest creatures support the greatest predators…The Last Reef will take you on a breathtaking journey to these cities beneath the sea, which are as vital to life on Earth as the rain forests.

Moe Flannery and Lee Post talk about their trials and tribulations in moving an orca whale skeleton from a beach in Northern California to the Academy of Sciences.   The actual skeleton is on display, assembled by museum volunteers, in the Academy Piazza.

This summer join in the excitement leading up to the America’s Cup races by visiting Built for Speed.  This new exhibit explores the fascinating adaptations of some of the fastest animals in the sea—from the speedy sailfish and streamlined shark to the spineless squid. Get a close-up look at an orca skeleton, examine a high-speed sailboat designed by ORACLE TEAM USA (the America’s Cup defending champions), and compare the forms that make these boats and marine animals fast in fluid.

For more information or to purchase tickets click here.

Nicole Chaney talks about her work as an Aquatic Biologist for the Steinhart Aquarium.

Moises Bernal Academy Ichthyologist talks about his work with fish.

Richard and Judith Lang artists featured in the Built for Speed exhibit

New research shows that opposites attract-- bees are positively charged and flowers are negatively charged.

Academy botanist Peter Fritsch talks about his field work and managing the Academy's 18 million plant specimens.

Biologist Liz Carlen discusses her work with small mammals.

Greg Delory joins the Academy Chat with a Scientist program for Astronomy day, April 20th 2013.  Greg talks about his adventures working with NASA and the space program.

Stan Blum Biodiversity Informatics- Academy Chat with a Scientist program April 13th 2013

Allison Young talks about the Citizen Science projects you can get involved with in the Bay Area

Join us for a behind the scenes look at the making of the Academy's newest planetarium show: Earthquake: Evidence of a Restless Planet. You will go on a journey that takes you through the whole process from inception to production. A sweeping geological journey, Earthquake explores the forces that transform the surface of our planet. After a stunning flight over the San Andreas Fault, audiences travel back in time to experience San Francisco's infamous 1906 earthquake. Data-driven visualizations illustrate Earth's story, revealing how subtle motions and sudden ruptures have shaped our planet over eons-and how geological activity influences the course of human history. This is the Academy's fourth planetarium show since reopening the Academy under one living roof. This event takes place in the Koret Auditorium at the San Francisco Public Library Main. 

For more information on our Earthquake Exhibit click here.