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24 Activities

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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12

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Activities

Measuring Earthquakes

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Measuring Earthquakes

Grades 4 - 8

35 Minutes

Students make their own seismograph and learn how scientists measure earthquake intensity.

Discover Activity

Sketching for Observation Exercises

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Sketching for Observation Exercises

Grades K - 12

3 Hours

Scientific sketching isn’t about making a pretty picture! It’s about looking at something so closely you notice something new. These exercises help students practice sketching for observation, data collection, and analysis during a science investigation.

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

Students draw their idea of "a scientist doing science." This exercise surfaces students' prior understandings of the nature of science and the demographics of scientists, serving as a launching point for discovering that students, in fact, can be scientists.

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

Students participate in a natural selection simulation, flipping pennies to mimic the probability of passing on certain traits. The traits are the three genes for color-vision, found on the X chromosome. In the simulation, students simulate six generations of primates and track how the gene pool changes over time.

Discover Activity

What Contains Carbon?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

What Contains Carbon?

Grades 4 - 8

50 Minutes

What kinds of everyday objects contain carbon? Students recognize where carbon is found and start thinking about how it cycles through the environment.

Discover Activity

Carbon Cycle Role-Play

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Carbon Cycle Role-Play

Grades 4 - 12

45 Minutes

How does the finite amount of carbon on this planet move around in the environment, from one place to another? How do the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere interact? In this active demonstration, students model the carbon cycle, and consider ways in which human actions play a role.

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

Students practice distinguishing between correlation and causation within the context of global climate change.

Discover Activity

Sensational Seaweed

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Sensational Seaweed

Grades 4 - 8

1 Hour

Students learn the parts of algae, compare them to land plants, and rotate through exploration stations to investigate seaweed close up with their different senses.

Discover Activity

Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates

Grades 3 - 7

2 Hours

How can we determine the locations of tectonic plate boundaries? How can we use seismic waves to pinpoint the epicenter of an earthquake? Students will explore these and other questions using seismic data and triangulation.

Discover Activity

Measuring Earthquakes

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Measuring Earthquakes

Grades 4 - 8

35 Minutes

Students make their own seismograph and learn how scientists measure earthquake intensity.

Discover Activity

Sketching for Observation Exercises

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Sketching for Observation Exercises

Grades K - 12

3 Hours

Scientific sketching isn’t about making a pretty picture! It’s about looking at something so closely you notice something new. These exercises help students practice sketching for observation, data collection, and analysis during a science investigation.

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

Students draw their idea of "a scientist doing science." This exercise surfaces students' prior understandings of the nature of science and the demographics of scientists, serving as a launching point for discovering that students, in fact, can be scientists.

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

Students participate in a natural selection simulation, flipping pennies to mimic the probability of passing on certain traits. The traits are the three genes for color-vision, found on the X chromosome. In the simulation, students simulate six generations of primates and track how the gene pool changes over time.

Discover Activity

What Contains Carbon?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

What Contains Carbon?

Grades 4 - 8

50 Minutes

What kinds of everyday objects contain carbon? Students recognize where carbon is found and start thinking about how it cycles through the environment.

Discover Activity

Carbon Cycle Role-Play

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Carbon Cycle Role-Play

Grades 4 - 12

45 Minutes

How does the finite amount of carbon on this planet move around in the environment, from one place to another? How do the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere interact? In this active demonstration, students model the carbon cycle, and consider ways in which human actions play a role.

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

Students practice distinguishing between correlation and causation within the context of global climate change.

Discover Activity

Sensational Seaweed

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

Sensational Seaweed

Grades 4 - 8

1 Hour

Students learn the parts of algae, compare them to land plants, and rotate through exploration stations to investigate seaweed close up with their different senses.

Discover Activity

Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates

Grades 3 - 7

2 Hours

How can we determine the locations of tectonic plate boundaries? How can we use seismic waves to pinpoint the epicenter of an earthquake? Students will explore these and other questions using seismic data and triangulation.

Discover Activity

Featured in These Collections

Intro to Science Notebooking

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

4 Activities

Intro to Science Notebooking

Grades 3 - 12

4 Hours

This collection of activities introduces students to science notebooking, and how to establish systems, organize information, and sketch like a scientist.

Discover Collection

Learning Scientific Sketching

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

4 Activities

Learning Scientific Sketching

Grades 3 - 12

4 Hours

This collection of activities teaches students how to sketch like scientists. Students learn techniques for observation, data collection, and analysis. After learning and practicing these introductory sketching techniques, they will then be able to confidently use their skills for scientific inquiry.

Discover Collection

STEM Activities for K-5th Grade at Home or in Small Groups

Arts in Action, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

11 Activities

STEM Activities for K-5th Grade at Home or in Small Groups

Grades K - 5

10 Hours

This playlist is a great mix of engineering and science activities that are easy and fun for home or small groups of kids k-5.

Discover Collection

Science Notebooks

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

7 Activities

Science Notebooks

Grades 3 - 12

7 Hours 15 Minutes

Keeping a notebook can help your students think and act like scientists. Sample these easy-to-implement strategies and lessons to bring science notebooking into your program.

Discover Collection

Outdoor Activities for Middle School at Home

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

11 Activities

Outdoor Activities for Middle School at Home

Grades 6 - 8

9 Hours 45 Minutes

This Playlist is all about getting outside and trying some STEM outdoors or in for Middle-School aged kids, and has been mixed especially for having fun at home or in small groups!

Discover Collection

Community Science Playlist

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

3 Activities

Community Science Playlist

Grades 5 - 8

1 Hour 15 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 playlist, youth will learn how to use three community science tools and make observations about arthropods, birds, and sky conditions to share with naturalists around the world.

Discover Collection

Setting Up Science Notebooks

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

4 Activities

Setting Up Science Notebooks

Grades K - 12

3 Hours 30 Minutes

This collection of activities helps students set up science notebooks for the beginning of your science lessons for the year, semester, term, or week. By learning to establish systems, organize information, and sketch like a scientist, students learn and practice processes of analysis, note-taking, and scientific inquiry.

Discover Collection

2020 National Summer Learning Association Awardees

Leadership and Teamwork

10 Activities

2020 National Summer Learning Association Awardees

Grades K - 12

9 Hours 30 Minutes

This playlist is brought to you by the awardees of the 2020 National Summer Learning Association Awards. We are so excited to feature the winners of Excellence in Summer Learning, Founder's Award, and Climate Change Award! Congratulations ANYTOWN, Camp EDMO, CityParks Foundation Green Girls Empowered by ING, and Young Audiences of Maryland- Summer Arts & Learning Academy for these achievements and all you do for the community.

Discover Collection

Intro to Science Notebooking

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

4 Activities

Intro to Science Notebooking

Grades 3 - 12

4 Hours

This collection of activities introduces students to science notebooking, and how to establish systems, organize information, and sketch like a scientist.

Discover Collection

Learning Scientific Sketching

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

4 Activities

Learning Scientific Sketching

Grades 3 - 12

4 Hours

This collection of activities teaches students how to sketch like scientists. Students learn techniques for observation, data collection, and analysis. After learning and practicing these introductory sketching techniques, they will then be able to confidently use their skills for scientific inquiry.

Discover Collection

STEM Activities for K-5th Grade at Home or in Small Groups

Arts in Action, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

11 Activities

STEM Activities for K-5th Grade at Home or in Small Groups

Grades K - 5

10 Hours

This playlist is a great mix of engineering and science activities that are easy and fun for home or small groups of kids k-5.

Discover Collection

Science Notebooks

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

7 Activities

Science Notebooks

Grades 3 - 12

7 Hours 15 Minutes

Keeping a notebook can help your students think and act like scientists. Sample these easy-to-implement strategies and lessons to bring science notebooking into your program.

Discover Collection

Outdoor Activities for Middle School at Home

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

11 Activities

Outdoor Activities for Middle School at Home

Grades 6 - 8

9 Hours 45 Minutes

This Playlist is all about getting outside and trying some STEM outdoors or in for Middle-School aged kids, and has been mixed especially for having fun at home or in small groups!

Discover Collection

Community Science Playlist

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, The Natural World

3 Activities

Community Science Playlist

Grades 5 - 8

1 Hour 15 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 playlist, youth will learn how to use three community science tools and make observations about arthropods, birds, and sky conditions to share with naturalists around the world.

Discover Collection

Setting Up Science Notebooks

The Natural World, STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore

4 Activities

Setting Up Science Notebooks

Grades K - 12

3 Hours 30 Minutes

This collection of activities helps students set up science notebooks for the beginning of your science lessons for the year, semester, term, or week. By learning to establish systems, organize information, and sketch like a scientist, students learn and practice processes of analysis, note-taking, and scientific inquiry.

Discover Collection

2020 National Summer Learning Association Awardees

Leadership and Teamwork

10 Activities

2020 National Summer Learning Association Awardees

Grades K - 12

9 Hours 30 Minutes

This playlist is brought to you by the awardees of the 2020 National Summer Learning Association Awards. We are so excited to feature the winners of Excellence in Summer Learning, Founder's Award, and Climate Change Award! Congratulations ANYTOWN, Camp EDMO, CityParks Foundation Green Girls Empowered by ING, and Young Audiences of Maryland- Summer Arts & Learning Academy for these achievements and all you do for the community.

Discover Collection

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