Video Collections

World-renowned artist Maya Lin discusses the evolution of her final memorial project, What is Missing?, which debuted at the California Academy of Sciences on September 17.

The memorial is dedicated to raising awareness about the crisis surrounding biodiversity and habitat loss. This permanent sculpture at the Academy is the international debut of a multi-sited multimedia work that will exist both physically and virtually.

The work, along with Lin's other sculpture at the California Academy of Sciences, Where the Land Meets the Sea, was commissioned by the San Francisco Arts Commission and reflects the Academy's drive to explore, explain and protect the natural world.

More than half of Darwin's book, The Voyage of the Beagle, treats southern South America. From 1832-1835, Charles Darwin traveled extensively in the Pampas and Patagonia.

For his Pritzker Lecture, Dr. Williams presents a natural history of the region based on his own four travel excursions over two decades following Darwin's travels more than a century and a half later.

If you had a few seconds warning before a big earthquake hit, what would you do?

Science writer Jonah Lehrer talks about what happens in our brains when we make decisions, small and large.

The Maya Lin sculpture at the California Academy of Sciences is art informed by science. "What is Missing?"  is a memorial to extinct and endangered species.

Hairdresser Phil McCrory had an idea twenty years ago while watching news footage of the clean-up of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Human hair absorbs oil naturally, why not in large oil spills? Hair mats and hair booms were created and continue to find their way to oil spill clean-ups around the world, in large part thanks to Matter of Trust and its founder, Lisa Gautier.

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at our special Valentine's Day Penguin Show & Tell program happening this Sunday, Feb 14, 2010. Our biologist Pam is distributing hand-made valentines to the birds, who will use the material in their nests. This type of enrichment activity is something we do often to keep the birds engaged and it mimics the foraging that wild African penguins do year-round to keep their nests comfortable. Note: There is no sound with this video.

A time-lapse video of the new California Academy of Sciences building being constructed. The building re-opened on September 27, 2008 and designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano, the new Academy is one of most eco-friendly buildings in the world and was awarded a LEED Platinum certification after its completion.

Dangling from branches over water, they watch and wait for fish to swim close to the surface before plunging their heads into the water. Arboreal (tree-dwelling) snakes who eat fish are very rare. To date, Steinhart Aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences is the only aquarium in the world to have this species on display. Visitors to the Academy can find the snakes in the Water Planet exhibit. (Video filmed by Richard Ross.)

Scott Moran, Lead Project Manager for the construction of the new California Academy of Sciences, gives a tour of the new facility, which opened in fall 2008.

The destruction of coral reefs, trawling and the use of seahorses in Chinese medicine is leading to their decline. How do we stop this near-mythical sea creature from becoming extinct? "Wired" interviews Academy researcher, Healy Hamilton, to discuss this unique fish and the dangers that threaten them.

Bio-inspiration is when engineers and scientists look to nature for ideas. Locally, researchers at UC Berkeley are developing an uber-adhesive based on a gecko's feet.

California Academy of Sciences TV spot, "Let the Wonder Begin," for the Fall 2010 advertising campaign. Produced by Ron Foth Advertising, featuring music composed and performed by Chris Chu of the Morning Benders.

The Academy's inaugural show in the Morrison Planetarium is Fragile Planet. This 30-minute round trip to the outer reaches of the universe reveals how special Earth really is.

Visitors begin their voyage at the Academy, lift off through the atmosphere to gain an astronaut’s view of Earth, then travel to the Moon, Mars, and beyond to search for habitats that might host extraterrestrial life. Narrated by Sigourney Weaver and interwoven with talks by a live presenter, Fragile Planet will redefine your sense of "home." For more informaiton about show times, visit the Morrison Planetarium.

2011 Best Fulldome Program at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival Life: A Cosmic Story, is a high-speed ride through the history of life. Narrated by Jodie Foster, with an exceptional soundtrack.  Come explore the age-old mystery: How did life on Earth begin? Opened November 6, 2010.

Our living roof supports only native plant species. Jessica Van Den Berg, a grad student a SF State, wondered what types of insects those plants would attract.