activities · 33
what they do
direct service · 29
- Deliver immersive planetarium experiences Public Observatory & Planetarium ProgramsOperates the Morrison Planetarium with multiple daily shows, including "Habitat Earth," cosmic origin explorations, asteroid and comet science, and observatory insights from Chile. Features narrated shows by Jodie Foster and educational content like the Tiny Chef series on environmental regeneration.
- Host private and educational events Children's Themed Birthday Parties with Educational ActivitiesOffers VIP Tours with behind-the-scenes access to non-public areas and customizable birthday parties for children aged 4 to 12.
- Host private events and birthday parties Children's Themed Birthday Parties with Educational ActivitiesOffers customizable birthday parties for children aged 4 to 12 and other private event options, providing themed programming and access to Academy facilities for special occasions.
- Host public educational programs and daily science activities Interactive Wildlife Exhibits & Animal EncountersOffers daily educational sessions including biologist-led talks on African penguins, diver presentations in the coral reef tank, hands-on science activities with real tools, and programs on ocean chemistry and environmental connections. Also hosts stingray observation sessions for relaxation and community engagement.
- Host public educational programs and daily science activities Interactive Wildlife Exhibits & Animal EncountersOffers daily educational sessions including biologist-led talks on African penguins, diver presentations in the coral reef tank, hands-on science activities with real tools, and programs on ocean chemistry and environmental connections. Also hosts storytime programs emphasizing community and belonging among living things.
- Host public educational programs and daily science experiences Interactive Wildlife Exhibits & Animal EncountersOffers daily educational sessions including African penguin talks, coral reef diver presentations, hands-on science activities with real tools, and programs on ocean chemistry. Also hosts storytime programs emphasizing connection to the natural world.
- Host public events for adults and families Adult-Only Evening Museum EventsHosts weekly NightLife events for adults 21+ featuring live music, cocktails, and art-science activities, including VIP NightLife Plus options. Offers family sleepover programs such as Penguins+Pajamas Sleepovers, allowing guests to sleep near animal exhibits.
- Host public events for adults and families Adult-Only Evening Museum EventsHosts weekly NightLife events for adults 21+ featuring live music, cocktails, and art-science activities, including VIP NightLife Plus options. Offers family sleepover programs such as Penguins+Pajamas, allowing guests to sleep near animal exhibits.
- Host public events for adults and families Adult-Only Evening Museum EventsHosts weekly NightLife events for adults 21+ featuring live music, cocktails, and art-science activities, including VIP NightLife Plus options. Offers family sleepover programs such as Penguins+Pajamas Sleepovers, allowing guests to sleep next to animal exhibits.
- Host public science programs and events for adults and families Adult-Only Evening Museum EventsOffers weekly NightLife events for adults 21+ featuring live music, cocktails, and themed activities, as well as VIP access options through NightLife Plus. Also hosts family sleepover programs such as Penguins+Pajamas, allowing overnight stays with access to exhibits and special activities.
- Host special exhibitions and community programs Art Collection Stewardship & ExhibitionOrganizes the annual BigPicture: Natural World Photography exhibition featuring 48 award-winning images and offers regular storytime programs that emphasize connection to the natural world and community belonging.
- Host special exhibitions and community programs Art Collection Stewardship & ExhibitionHosts the annual BigPicture: Natural World Photography exhibition featuring 48 award-winning nature photographs. Offers storytime programs that emphasize belonging to a community of living things.
- Host special exhibitions and public engagement programs Art Collection Stewardship & ExhibitionHosts the annual BigPicture: Natural World Photography exhibition featuring 48 award-winning nature photographs and other public engagement initiatives that connect art and science.
- Offer admission options and visitor access programs Admission Access & Membership ProgramsProvides daytime admission tickets granting access to all exhibits and facilities, as well as Anytime Admission tickets valid for one year with skip-the-line access to key attractions. Maintains stair access to the Living Roof during elevator maintenance to ensure visitor access.
- Offer behind-the-scenes and private experiences Children's Themed Birthday Parties with Educational ActivitiesProvides VIP Tours with behind-the-scenes access to non-public areas of the Academy. Hosts customizable birthday parties for children aged 4 to 12.
- Offer behind-the-scenes and special access toursProvides VIP Tours with behind-the-scenes access to non-public areas of the Academy and customizable birthday parties for children aged 4 to 12.
- Offer group visit and admission programsProvides discounted admission and customized packages for groups of 10 or more, including corporate groups (with VIP tours, scavenger hunts, express entry, and dining discounts) and senior groups (with lunch or reserved planetarium seating). Offers pre-paid boxed lunches for groups of 10+.
- Offer group visit packages and admission optionsProvides discounted admission and customized packages for groups of 10 or more, including senior groups, corporate teams, and large parties, with options for VIP tours, scavenger hunts, reserved planetarium seating, express entry, and pre-paid boxed lunches.
- Operate and maintain living exhibits and animal habitats Interactive Wildlife Exhibits & Animal EncountersHosts nearly 60,000 animal residents including African penguins and Methuselah, the world's oldest fish in human care. Maintains a 212,000-gallon living coral reef exhibit and the Reef Lagoon for stingray observation.
- Operate and maintain living exhibits and animal habitats Interactive Wildlife Exhibits & Animal EncountersHosts nearly 60,000 animal residents, including African penguins and Methuselah, the world's oldest fish in human care. Maintains a 212,000-gallon living coral reef exhibit and the Reef Lagoon for stingray observation.
- Operate major exhibits and animal habitats Interactive Wildlife Exhibits & Animal EncountersMaintains and displays a 212,000-gallon living coral reef exhibit and hosts nearly 60,000 animal residents, including African penguins and Methuselah, the world's oldest fish in human care, providing public access to diverse ecosystems and conservation-focused exhibits.
- Present immersive planetarium shows Public Observatory & Planetarium ProgramsOffers multiple planetarium experiences including shows narrated by Jodie Foster, themed around cosmic origins, asteroid science, Chilean observatory insights, and regenerative ecology, such as "Habitat Earth" and the Tiny Chef series, to educate visitors on life and the universe.
- Present planetarium shows and immersive exhibitions Public Observatory & Planetarium ProgramsOffers multiple planetarium shows including "Habitat Earth," cosmic origin explorations, and narrated experiences by Jodie Foster, alongside the annual BigPicture: Natural World Photography exhibition featuring 48 award-winning images.
- Present planetarium shows and immersive science experiences Public Observatory & Planetarium ProgramsOffers multiple planetarium shows including "Habitat Earth," cosmic origin explorations, asteroid and comet studies, and narrated experiences by Jodie Foster and Tiny Chef, all focusing on life, the universe, and environmental regeneration.
- Provide daily educational experiences and live demonstrations Interactive Wildlife Exhibits & Animal EncountersHosts daily biologist-led penguin talks, diver presentations in the coral reef tank, hands-on science activities using real tools, and educational programs on ocean chemistry and environmental connections, all designed to engage visitors with living systems and scientific inquiry.
- Provide flexible public admission and behind-the-scenes access Admission Access & Membership ProgramsOffers single-day and Anytime Admission tickets valid for one year with skip-the-line access to major attractions, as well as VIP Tours that grant behind-the-scenes access to non-public areas of the Academy.
- Provide group visit and admission programsOffers discounted admission and customized packages for groups, including corporate groups (with VIP tours, scavenger hunts, express entry, and dining discounts), senior groups (with lunch or planetarium seating), and groups of 21+ with pre-paid bookings. Also provides pre-paid boxed lunch options for groups of 10 or more.
- Provide group visit and admission programsOffers discounted admission and customized packages for groups including corporate groups, senior groups, and parties of 21 or more, with options for VIP tours, scavenger hunts, express entry, reserved planetarium seating, and pre-paid boxed lunches.
- Provide public access through admission and membership options Admission Access & Membership ProgramsOffers daytime admission tickets granting access to all exhibits and facilities, as well as Anytime Admission tickets valid for one year with skip-the-line access. Provides membership programs that support science and regeneration initiatives while enabling public access.
research · 4
- Conduct global science and regeneration initiatives Scientific Research & Regeneration InitiativesLeads research and collaborative programs aimed at regenerating the natural world, supporting groundbreaking science and conservation efforts worldwide through institutional membership and scientific partnerships.
- Conduct scientific research and global regeneration initiatives Scientific Research & Regeneration InitiativesConducts science, learning, and collaboration initiatives aimed at regenerating the natural world and supports groundbreaking scientific and regeneration efforts globally through membership programs.
- Conduct scientific research and global regeneration initiatives Scientific Research & Regeneration InitiativesConducts science, learning, and collaboration initiatives aimed at regenerating the natural world. Supports groundbreaking scientific research and global regeneration efforts through institutional programs and partnerships.
- Conduct scientific research and global regeneration initiatives Scientific Research & Regeneration InitiativesConducts science and collaboration initiatives aimed at regenerating the natural world, supporting groundbreaking research and global regeneration efforts.
strategies · 30
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Art and science integration art_science_integrationCombines artistic expression with scientific content in public programming to deepen engagement, particularly among adult audiences.
- Art and science integration to engage diverse audiences art_science_integrationCombines art and science in public programming to deepen engagement, particularly with adult audiences, by leveraging creative expression as a pathway to scientific understanding.
- Art-science integration in public engagement art_science_integrationCombines art and science in public programming to deepen engagement, particularly with adult audiences, by leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to science communication.
- Art-science integration in public programming art_science_integrationCombines art and science to create engaging public programs tailored for adult audiences, enhancing public understanding and connection to scientific concepts.
- Behind-the-scenes access to deepen scientific engagement behind-the-scenes_accessEngages visitors more deeply with science by providing access to research areas and scientific collections not visible to the general public, fostering connection to real scientific work.
- Community belonging through education community-belonging-through-educationUses storytelling and inclusive programming like storytime to cultivate a sense of belonging within the broader community of living organisms, connecting people to nature.
- Community belonging through science storytelling community-belonging-through-educationUses storytelling, such as storytime, to cultivate a sense of belonging within the broader community of living organisms, reinforcing ecological interconnectedness and personal connection to nature.
- Ecosystem interconnectedness education ecosystem-interconnectedness-educationTeaches the interdependence of living systems as a foundational concept to foster ecological understanding and inspire regenerative action.
- Flexible access and behind-the-scenes experiences to deepen engagement flexible_access_modelEnhances visitor experience and scientific engagement through flexible, year-long admission and exclusive behind-the-scenes access to research areas and collections not visible to the general public.
- Flexible access and membership model flexible_access_modelOffers year-long, flexible admission with priority access and behind-the-scenes experiences to sustain engagement and support for science and regeneration initiatives.
- Flexible and enhanced visitor access model flexible_access_modelOffers flexible, year-long admission with priority access to key exhibits and behind-the-scenes experiences to deepen engagement and improve visitor experience.
- Fostering community belonging and individual action through education community-belonging-through-educationUses storytelling and character-driven science education to cultivate a sense of belonging within the broader community of living organisms and empower individuals to take action for ecological regeneration.
- Group-centered experience design group-centered-experience-designDesigns educational and curated experiences to be more impactful when shared in groups, enhancing social learning and supporting team-building and client engagement.
- Group-centered experiential engagement group-centered_experience_designDesigns curated group experiences and signature programming to maximize impact and enjoyment in group settings, supporting curiosity, team building, client engagement, and employee appreciation.
- Group-centered experiential engagement group-centered_experience-designDesigns curated group experiences and signature programming to enhance impact and enjoyment through social participation, supporting curiosity, team building, and community connection.
- Group-centered experiential engagement for education and connection experiential_group_engagementDesigns and delivers curated group experiences that enhance impact and enjoyment, fostering curiosity, team building, and community connection through shared scientific and educational activities.
- Immersive and experiential science education model immersive science educationDelivers hands-on, immersive experiences—such as integrated aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history exhibits under one living roof—to engage the public in biodiversity and ecological interconnectedness.
- Immersive and experiential science education model immersive science educationDelivers hands-on, immersive experiences that integrate an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum under one living roof to engage visitors with biodiversity and scientific discovery.
- Immersive and integrated museum experiences to teach biodiversity and interconnectedness integrated science museum modelCombines an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum under one living roof to create immersive, hands-on experiences that educate visitors about Earth's biodiversity and the interconnectedness of ecosystems.
- Immersive science educationDelivers hands-on, experiential learning that engages visitors with biodiversity and ecological regeneration through character-driven narratives and interactive formats.
- Integrated science museum model integrated science museum modelCombines an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, and natural history museum into a single immersive experience under one living roof to model ecosystem interconnectedness and advance public understanding of Earth's biodiversity.
- Integrated science, learning, and collaboration for ecological regeneration science_learning_collaborationUses science, learning, and collaboration as a core methodology to regenerate the natural world, combining research with public engagement to drive environmental change.
- Integrated science, learning, and collaboration for ecological regeneration science_learning_collaborationUses science, learning, and collaboration as a core methodology to regenerate the natural world, emphasizing accessible, character-driven education that empowers individual action and highlights ecosystem interconnectedness.
- Interactive and narrative-based education for children interactive_educationUses interactive storytelling, games, and character-driven programming—such as in birthday parties and storytime—to engage children and foster early connection to science and a sense of belonging within the community of living organisms.
- Interactive education for children interactive_educationUses games and interactive storytelling during events like birthday parties to engage children in science learning in an age-appropriate and joyful way.
- Interactive education for youth interactive_educationEngages children through interactive storytelling and games during educational programming such as birthday parties, making science learning dynamic and age-appropriate.
- Interactive education for youth engagement interactive_educationUses interactive storytelling and games to engage children in science learning during programs such as birthday parties, making education enjoyable and accessible for young audiences.
- Membership and flexible access model for sustained engagement membership_modelUses a membership model combined with flexible, year-long admission and priority access to key exhibits to ensure ongoing public access, support institutional sustainability, and enhance visitor experience.
- Membership model to support science and regeneration initiatives membership_modelLeverages membership programs to generate sustained public support and funding for scientific research, education, and ecological regeneration efforts.
- Membership-driven support for science and regeneration membership_modelUtilizes membership programs to generate sustained public support and funding for scientific research, education, and natural world regeneration initiatives.
named programs · 9
what they call their work
BigPicture: Natural World Photography
Annual exhibition in the Piazza featuring award-winning nature photography from around the world.
Kimball Natural History Museum
Exhibits featuring African dioramas and displays exploring the past, present, and future of life on Earth.
Morrison Planetarium
One of the largest all-digital planetarium domes in the world, offering immersive daily shows about the universe with reserved seating.
NightLife
Weekly evening event for adults 21+ featuring live music, cocktails, science activities, and access to all exhibits.
Osher Rainforest
A four-story glass-domed rainforest housing free-flying birds and butterflies, enormous Amazonian fish, and diverse insect, amphibian, and reptile species.
Penguins+Pajamas Sleepovers
Overnight family sleepover program allowing guests to sleep near exhibits and engage in special after-hours activities.
Steinhart Aquarium
One of the most advanced and biodiverse aquariums in the world, home to over 1,000 animal species including a 212,000-gallon living Philippine coral reef exhibit and twilight zone deep-sea habitats.
VIP Tours
Behind-the-scenes tours of research collections, private gem vault, and Living Roof, including access to non-public areas and expert guides.
We All Belong Storytime
Children's program emphasizing community and connection to the natural world through storytelling
relationships · 7
who they work with
- American Association of Zoos & Aquariums Government — Accredited by the American Association of Zoos & Aquariums
- Big Bus Tours Partner — Partner offering combined sightseeing and Academy admission deals.
- Big Bus Tours Partner — Sightseeing tour partner offering special offers on city tours and Academy admission
- CityPASS Partner — Partner organization offering bundled admission to the Academy and other top San Francisco attractions.
- CityPASS Partner — Partners with CityPASS to offer bundled admission with three other top San Francisco attractions.
- Go City San Francisco Explorer Pass Partner — Partner program providing discounted admission to the Academy and 25 other San Francisco attractions.
- Google Partner — Uses Google Forms for corporate group and senior admission inquiries.