Morrison Planetarium shows are fueled by cutting-edge scientific data, resulting in stunning visualizations of the latest observations, discoveries, and theories about our Universe.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (December 3, 2024) — Submissions for the California Academy of Sciences’ 2025 BigPicture: Natural World Photography Competition will be accepted through March 1, 2025. In its 12th year, the competition focuses a visual lens on the extraordinary diversity of the natural world and aims to inspire action to protect and conserve it.

Steinhart Aquarium is one of the most biologically diverse and interactive aquariums on Earth. Home to nearly 60,000 live animals, representing more than 1,000 unique species, it offers guests an unprecedented view of underwater and terrestrial habitats.

Your Academy adventure starts here! Bundle Academy admission with 3 more top SF attractions and save 46% with San Francisco CityPASS®.; Visit for free all year long by becoming a member.; Discounted admission is available at the ticket window for EBT/CalFresh, WIC, Lifeline Pass, and Medi-Cal cardholders

Spark drew on the latest scientific research and incorporated the expertise of its all-star advisors to visualize a variety of astronomical objects and bodies. Audiences will witness exploding white dwarfs, imploding red giants, vast planetary nebulae, and a pair of eerie red neutron stars that collide and release high-energy gamma rays into space—as well as gold and platinum atoms.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): the molecule that contains the genetic information that determines the traits of all living organisms gene: a segment of DNA, at a specific location on a chromosome, that is the basic unit of heredity allele: one of several forms of the same gene that codes for a particular trait dominant allele: an allele whose trait is expressed in …

Here you'll find a curated collection of science lesson plans for 2nd and 3rd grade. Many of our activities list connections to the Next Generation Science Standards.

The human species' path hasn't been an easy one; in fact, Homo sapiens nearly went extinct some 70,000 – 90,000 years ago. Learn more about that close call—and the milestones that dot our species’ evolutionary history—while exploring the origins of humankind.

The first part of the Shake House experience takes you back to October 17, 1989, when the 6.9-magnitude Loma Prieta earthquake struck near Santa Cruz at 5:04 p.m. 63 people were killed, and damage was widespread throughout the Bay Area—including at the Academy.

Be mesmerized by a variety of graceful ray species and shimmering schools of tropical fish swimming across your screen. Enjoy the antics of thousands of tropical fish in our Philippine Coral Reef exhibit—one of the world's deepest living indoor coral reefs. 30 …