Today is the official launch of our newest exhibit at the Cal Academy of Sciences: Human Odyssey. I've only spent about 30 minutes in the exhibit, and I've already learned a lot more about human evolution. If you thought you understood humanity's evolutionary journey, consider these questions: What is the different between a "hominid" and…
Category: Science
New “Connect the Continents” Digital Game at the Cal Academy Tells the Earth’s Long Story
The Earth only seems static and immovable because we live such pathetically short lives. In geologic time, the Earth is always in motion: continents skate and twist, collide and separate, split and suture over millions of years. It's a beautiful, imperceptible dance that never ends. Starting about 500-550 million years ago, Antarctica, South America, Africa, Madagascar, Australia, the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian…
Biking to the Cal Academy, the World’s Greenest Museum
Yesterday, I finally got assigned a much-coveted bike locker from the office lottery here at the California Academy of Sciences. The fact that we have so much demand for these bike lockers, even with ample standard bike parking, shows our staff's commitment to green transportation. Reportedly, about 75% of the Academy's roughly 500 staff people…
“TheBlu” Virtual Ocean: Beautiful, Mesmerizing, But Is It Educational?
For awhile now I have been toying around with "TheBlu," a virtual ocean environment. The creators describe "TheBlu" as "the world's first social digital ocean you can download, explore and share." Essentially it's an interactive screensaver composed of different ocean environments that is populated by marine life created by digital artists from around the…
Mind in the Gutter: Thankful for the Sewage System
It's pouring rain outside… has been for a couple of days now. As I go about my morning ablutions and dishwashing, preparing for splashing around in the muck, I am feeling thankful for my city's sewage system. It's one of the unseen wonders of civilization that we've come up with a plan to deal with…
My Awesome Dinosaur Sweater at the Cal Academy! (pic)
Check out this awesome dinosaur themed holiday sweatshirt that I am sporting at the entry to the Cal Academy of Sciences. I'm the envy of all of my colleagues here. Just $29 on Fab.com! Click here for a closer look at the sweatshirt. I didn't intend to look so smug!
Young Science Geek Charlieiscoollike Nerding Out on Saturn (video)
I love this video of Charlieiscoollike (aka Charlie McDonnell) completely nerding out on why he loves Saturn so much. His love of science and discovery is so genuine and infectuous. [Hattip: Bad Astrology blog]
Send a Free e-Greeting Card from Claude the Albino Alligator and the Cal Academy!
Nothing says the holiday season like an albino alligator. Tell that special someone that you are thinking of them with a California Academy of Sciences' e-greeting card! http://www.calacademy.org/ecard/holiday Choose from two different styles, and include a custom message and one of three different digital gifts. Bonus: here's a video of Claude our albino alligator doing…
“Tis the Season for Science” at the Cal Academy: Live Reindeer, Indoor Snow, the Science of Seasons Show!
A couple of days ago, the California Academy of Sciences opened up our annual "Tis the Season for Science" exhibit in our main piazza courtyard. It's a nice, science-y way to celebrate the holidays in San Francisco. We are featuring: A pair of live reindeer Indoor snow flurries twice an hour A Snowman Theater –…
December 9 is Your Last Chance to See Baby Ostriches at the Cal Academy!
I just wanted to share the news that December 9th is your last chance to see our baby ostriches at the California Academy of Sciences! If you haven't seen them, they are pretty stinkin cute. After ostrich breeding season ends, the Academy’s last flock of ostrich chicks are sent to grow up at partner organizations…