Gateway Science Museum

Current Exhibits

Decorative banner displaying text "Comedy Wildlife".
Making their Chico debuts, dozens of animal friends are caught being clumsy, expressive, surprised and a bit random. From an ill-tempered turtle to a sleepy gorilla, these photos bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Bombus! The Natural History of Bumble Bees brings to life the beauty, ecological importance, and joy of these charismatic native bees.

Fossils Lab

Fossil Lab Hours: Fridays 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Fossil fans and would-be fans will be awed! Gateway's Demo Lab has been taken over by Chico State GEOS Department as expert paleontologists and fossil scientists in training work on actual finds from the field. Watch live fossil preparation and chat with our Scientists in Residence!

Learn more about these exciting fossil finds and how you can pursue a career in paleontology on the Chico State GEOS website!(opens in new window)

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Step out into the garden! 

Gateway’s "Native Plant Pollinator Garden," designed and constructed in 2013 in collaboration with CSU, Chico Associated Students Sustainability interns and the Mt. Lassen Chapter of the California Native Plant Society in Chico, is home to more than 40 plants native to Northern California. These plants were chosen to provide food in the form of pollen, nectar and larval foliage for a wide variety of pollinators – bees, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles & birds. At any one time throughout the year, the garden will have between 3 and 5 different kinds of plants in bloom. Featuring The Foothills exhibit, highlighting four distinct eco-regions of Northern California's foothills environment. Learn more.(opens in new window)