#Sponsored Homeroom At Home is proud to be partnered with The Academy of Natural Sciences to provide our readers with details on upcoming events, exhibits and programs. We were offered a complimentary family membership in exchange for media coverage.

Photo courtesy of Academy of Natural Sciences

It seems the summer months bring the peskiest bugs to season. Flies that won’t quit twirling around your corn on the cob, bees buzzing in your ear… or beer and then there are those persistent ants!!  Yikes.

But everything’s got a purpose.

Here’s your chance to understand just how critical all insects are to our environment and food chain. The Bug Fest at the Academy of Natural Sciences is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the contributions flies, bees and ants provide, among other bugs.

Join The Academy on August 8 & 9 for an epic opportunity to get up close and personal with insects of all sorts, including a peak at real samples of bug vomit, poo and slime. There are so many events to take advantage of, including live cockroach and maggot painting, as seen in the video below from last year.

Here are some other highlights as provided by The Academy of Natural Sciences:

Photo Courtesy of Academy of Natural Sciences

Roach Race 500: Cheer on your favorite roach as it tries to conquer three different tracks in the famous Roach Race 500! Every half hour, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Bug Picasso: Cockroaches and maggots create unique pieces of art by scurrying through trails of vibrant paint. 10:15-11 a.m., 12:15-1 p.m., 2:30-3:15 p.m.

Live Invertebrate Stage Show: “B-eww-tiful Bugs” will be the stars of our unique live animal show. 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Bug Walks: Join Academy entomologists on an expedition outside the museum to see what species of invertebrates live there. Hourly, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Academy of Natural Sciences

Bug Appétit: Enjoy culinary art with a buggy twist. Or, in other words, you get to eat bugs!!! Join Chef David George Gordon as he cooks up some tasty bug cuisine! Demonstrations in the Commons 11 a.m.-noon, 3-4:30 p.m.; Live show in the Auditorium at 1 p.m.

Meet the Entomologist: Talk with Academy entomologists and representatives from the American Entomological Society. Find out about current research projects and get an up close look at some specimens from our collections.

Crafty Critters: Create your own bug-themed craft to take home.

Bedbug Sniffing Dogs: Learn more about the bugs that bug us! Auditorium show at 3:30 p.m.; Demonstrations in Dinosaur Hall at noon and 2 p.m.

Story Time in Outside In: Story time will feature a bug tale, Marty the Moose, and a live animal. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased here and additional information on hours, parking, etc can be obtained by visiting The Academy of Natural Sciences. Don’t forget to check out their Animal Grossology exhibit (in it’s final weeks). You can see our review of this totally gross but engaging exhibit here.