During the first week of the Fall 2009 Semester, the ETC Silicon Valley teams went on a field trip to the California Academy of Science in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.  We met with Mr. Tom Kennedy at the employee entrance.  He immediately took us to the planetarium, where we watched a spectacular film about astronomy and the search for planets capable of sustaining life.  Following the film, Mr. Kennedy gave us a back stage tour of the planetarium and the production studio underneath.  After a brief introduction to the production team, Mr. Kennedy was kind enough to explain the collaborative efforts the Academy has with other planetariums around the globe.

Aquarium Tank

After the tour, both teams took time to view the museum.  Although the size of the Academy is surprisingly modest the collection of animals and exhibits is enormous.  On the lower level, the Academy has an aquarium with fish from around the world.  Despite the large number of exotic fish, the main exhibit on the floor is the albino alligator.
On the main floor, opposite of the planetarium, there is a large enclosure that is home to the four-story rainforest exhibit.  The exhibit takes us on a spiraling ascent into the canopy of rainforests where birds and butterflies roam free within a dome, and where we were treated to a 360-degree view of the other creatures in the exhibit.  Once we reached the top of the rainforest canopy, an elevator plunged us down into a flooded Amazon rainforest.  We passed through the underwater tunnel with a view of the rainforest above.

Gecko

In addition to the rainforest, the main floor is home to a number of other exhibits.  There is an Altered State exhibit, which focuses on climate change and the impact on California.  Similarly there is another exhibit focused on Darwin’s visit to Galapagos.  Each exhibit relies on both the traditional poster method of displaying information and on interactive platforms.  The final exhibit on the floor is the Africa Hall.  This exhibit is unique because it integrates traditional museum dioramas of stuffed animals with live animals.  The main attraction is the African penguins, which reside at the end of the hall, in a large glass enclosure.

Roof of the Academy

Higher floors are home to the 3D movie experience “Bugs!” as well as the Naturalist Center.   The most fascinating part of the entire building is on the roof.  The Academy’s living roof consists of local San Francisco plants covering the undulating “hills”.  This roof has become such an icon for the Academy and the city that the C.A.o.S. team has decided to use it for our poster and half sheet.
Our visit to the Academy was a fantastic opportunity to see a part of the city as well as a great example of how to meld various science disciplines under the same roof.  The C.A.o.S. team is eager to start work, and both teams had a fantastic time enjoying everything the California Academy of Science had to offer.