California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park—and a powerful voice for biodiversity research and exploration, environmental education, and sustainability across the globe.
Inspire wonder of the natural world through STEM activities focused on community science and introducing the scientific method to youth. Explore their activities as standalone lessons or follow their suggested scaffolded collections.
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Activities
Measuring Earthquakes
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
Measuring Earthquakes
Grades 4 - 8
35 Minutes
Discover Activity
Sketching for Observation Exercises
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
Sketching for Observation Exercises
Grades K - 12
3 Hours
Discover Activity
Using the iNaturalist App to Conduct a Bug Safari
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
Using the iNaturalist App to Conduct a Bug Safari
Grades 5 - 8
30 Minutes
Community science, also called citizen science, is a global effort in which scientists and the public work together to help gather data on the earth’s biodiversity. In this activity, your students will practice using scientific collection tools and conduct a Bug Safari observation. They will gently collect arthropods, take photos, and record their findings in iNaturalist, a citizen and community science project and online social network for nature research.
Discover Activity
Using the GLOBE Observer App to Conduct a Sky Survey
The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore
Using the GLOBE Observer App to Conduct a Sky Survey
Grades 6 - 8
25 Minutes
Community science, also called citizen science, is a global effort in which scientists and the public work together to help gather data on the earth’s biodiversity. In Sky Survey, youth will step into the shoes of scientists by exploring the features of the sky. They will use the GLOBE Observer app to submit their celestial sightings to NASA researchers who are studying the connection between clouds and climate. NASA uses this sky data to verify satellite images of Earth’s atmosphere and to validate and calibrate the instruments that take them.
Discover Activity
Using the eBird App to Conduct a Bird Search
The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore
Using the eBird App to Conduct a Bird Search
Grades 6 - 8
20 Minutes
Community science, also called citizen science, is a global effort in which scientists and the public work together to help gather data on the earth’s biodiversity. In Bird Search, youth will search for birds, identify them, and contribute observations to eBird, the world’s largest nature-based citizen science project.
By sharing their observations with the global community, eBirders help scientists around the world track the movement and needs of birds on a global scale and contribute to important conservation efforts. Scientists use many tools and strategies to identify and study birds. In this activity, youth learn and practice different bird identification techniques.
Discover Activity
Draw a Scientist
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
Draw a Scientist
Grades K - 12
45 Minutes
Discover Activity
Color Vision Genetics Evolution Simulation
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
Color Vision Genetics Evolution Simulation
Grades 4 - 8
1 Hour
Discover Activity
What Contains Carbon?
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
What Contains Carbon?
Grades 4 - 8
50 Minutes
Discover Activity
Carbon Cycle Role-Play
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
Carbon Cycle Role-Play
Grades 4 - 12
45 Minutes
Discover Activity
The Heat is On: Cause and Effect and Climate
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
The Heat is On: Cause and Effect and Climate
Grades 6 - 10
1 Hour 10 Minutes
Discover Activity
Sensational Seaweed
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
Sensational Seaweed
Grades 4 - 8
1 Hour
Discover Activity
Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates
The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore
Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates
Grades 3 - 7
2 Hours
Discover Activity
Measuring Earthquakes
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
Measuring Earthquakes
Grades 4 - 8
35 Minutes
Discover Activity
Sketching for Observation Exercises
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
Sketching for Observation Exercises
Grades K - 12
3 Hours
Discover Activity
Using the iNaturalist App to Conduct a Bug Safari
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
Using the iNaturalist App to Conduct a Bug Safari
Grades 5 - 8
30 Minutes
Community science, also called citizen science, is a global effort in which scientists and the public work together to help gather data on the earth’s biodiversity. In this activity, your students will practice using scientific collection tools and conduct a Bug Safari observation. They will gently collect arthropods, take photos, and record their findings in iNaturalist, a citizen and community science project and online social network for nature research.
Discover Activity
Using the GLOBE Observer App to Conduct a Sky Survey
The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore
Using the GLOBE Observer App to Conduct a Sky Survey
Grades 6 - 8
25 Minutes
Community science, also called citizen science, is a global effort in which scientists and the public work together to help gather data on the earth’s biodiversity. In Sky Survey, youth will step into the shoes of scientists by exploring the features of the sky. They will use the GLOBE Observer app to submit their celestial sightings to NASA researchers who are studying the connection between clouds and climate. NASA uses this sky data to verify satellite images of Earth’s atmosphere and to validate and calibrate the instruments that take them.
Discover Activity
Using the eBird App to Conduct a Bird Search
The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore
Using the eBird App to Conduct a Bird Search
Grades 6 - 8
20 Minutes
Community science, also called citizen science, is a global effort in which scientists and the public work together to help gather data on the earth’s biodiversity. In Bird Search, youth will search for birds, identify them, and contribute observations to eBird, the world’s largest nature-based citizen science project.
By sharing their observations with the global community, eBirders help scientists around the world track the movement and needs of birds on a global scale and contribute to important conservation efforts. Scientists use many tools and strategies to identify and study birds. In this activity, youth learn and practice different bird identification techniques.
Discover Activity
Draw a Scientist
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
Draw a Scientist
Grades K - 12
45 Minutes
Discover Activity
Color Vision Genetics Evolution Simulation
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
Color Vision Genetics Evolution Simulation
Grades 4 - 8
1 Hour
Discover Activity
What Contains Carbon?
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
What Contains Carbon?
Grades 4 - 8
50 Minutes
Discover Activity
Carbon Cycle Role-Play
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
Carbon Cycle Role-Play
Grades 4 - 12
45 Minutes
Discover Activity
The Heat is On: Cause and Effect and Climate
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
The Heat is On: Cause and Effect and Climate
Grades 6 - 10
1 Hour 10 Minutes
Discover Activity
Sensational Seaweed
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
Sensational Seaweed
Grades 4 - 8
1 Hour
Discover Activity
Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates
The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore
Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates
Grades 3 - 7
2 Hours
Discover Activity
Featured in These Collections
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The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore
4 Activities
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STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
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The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore
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2020 National Summer Learning Association Awardees
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The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore
4 Activities
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The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore
4 Activities
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Arts in Action, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore
11 Activities
Science Notebooks
The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore
7 Activities
Outdoor Activities for Middle School at Home
The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore
11 Activities
Community Science Playlist
STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World
3 Activities
Setting Up Science Notebooks
The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore
4 Activities
2020 National Summer Learning Association Awardees
Leadership and Teamwork
10 Activities


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