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.
Activities
Measuring Earthquakes
STEM • Nature and Wildlife
35m
•
Grades 3 - 8
Measuring Earthquakes
By California Academy of Sciences
3 - 8
35m
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Sketching for Observation Exercises
STEM • Nature and Wildlife
3h
•
All Grades
Sketching for Observation Exercises
By California Academy of Sciences
All Grades
3h
Discover Activity
Using the iNaturalist App to Conduct a Bug Safari
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
30m
•
Grades 3 - 8
Using the iNaturalist App to Conduct a Bug Safari
By California Academy of Sciences
3 - 8
30m
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.
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Using the GLOBE Observer App to Conduct a Sky Survey
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
25m
•
Grades 6 - 8
Using the GLOBE Observer App to Conduct a Sky Survey
By California Academy of Sciences
6 - 8
25m
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.
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Using the eBird App to Conduct a Bird Search
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
20m
•
Grades 6 - 8
Using the eBird App to Conduct a Bird Search
By California Academy of Sciences
6 - 8
20m
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 • Nature and Wildlife
45m
•
All Grades
Draw a Scientist
By California Academy of Sciences
All Grades
45m
Discover Activity
Color Vision Genetics Evolution Simulation
STEM • Nature and Wildlife
1h
•
Grades 3 - 8
Color Vision Genetics Evolution Simulation
By California Academy of Sciences
3 - 8
1h
Discover Activity
What Contains Carbon?
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
50m
•
Grades 3 - 8
What Contains Carbon?
By California Academy of Sciences
3 - 8
50m
Discover Activity
Carbon Cycle Role-Play
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
45m
•
Grades 3 - 12
Carbon Cycle Role-Play
By California Academy of Sciences
3 - 12
45m
Discover Activity
The Heat is On: Cause and Effect and Climate
STEM • Nature and Wildlife
1h 10m
•
Grades 6 - 12
The Heat is On: Cause and Effect and Climate
By California Academy of Sciences
6 - 12
1h 10m
Discover Activity
Sensational Seaweed
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
1h
•
Grades 3 - 8
Sensational Seaweed
By California Academy of Sciences
3 - 8
1h
Discover Activity
Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates
STEM • Nature and Wildlife
2h
•
Grades 3 - 8
Earthquakes & Tectonic Plates
By California Academy of Sciences
3 - 8
2h
Discover Activity
Featured in These Collections
Community Science Playlist
STEM • Nature and Wildlife
30 Items
•
Grades 3 - 8
Collection
Community Science Playlist
By
3 - 8
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2020 National Summer Learning Association Awardees
Leadership and Teamwork
100 Items
•
All Grades
Collection
2020 National Summer Learning Association Awardees
By
All Grades
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STEM Activities for Summer Camp
STEM
130 Items
•
Grades K - 8
Collection
STEM Activities for Summer Camp
By
K - 8
Keep curiosity high all summer with hands-on STEM activities that are fun, engaging, and easy to lead. From simple science experiments to engineering challenges, these ready-to-use lessons make summer planning easier while helping youth explore, create, and learn through play.
Discover Collection
Outdoor Activities for Middle School at Home
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
110 Items
•
Grades 6 - 8
Collection
Outdoor Activities for Middle School at Home
By
6 - 8
Discover Collection
STEM Activities for K-5th Grade at Home or in Small Groups
Arts • STEM
110 Items
•
Grades K - 5
Collection
STEM Activities for K-5th Grade at Home or in Small Groups
By
K - 5
Discover Collection
Setting Up Science Notebooks
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
40 Items
•
All Grades
Collection
Setting Up Science Notebooks
By
All Grades
Discover Collection
Learning Scientific Sketching
Nature and Wildlife • STEM
40 Items
•
Grades 3 - 12
Collection
Learning Scientific Sketching
By
3 - 12
Discover Collection

