The Discovery

Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am.

Ynes Mexia (May 24, 1870 – July 12, 1938) was a Mexican-American botanical collector and explorer. She is known for her vast collection of novel specimens of plants and flora, obtained by more than a decade of solo field expeditions in the Americas. Visit The Shop to make your own pocket field notebook, a tool in science for collecting scientific observations. After personalizing your Discovery Field Journal, head over to our Energy exhibit to complete a fun exercise in plant identification. Please…

The Discovery’s EMPOW[HER] Collective for Women & Girls in STEM is excited to host the inaugural Girls’ STEM Career Day, a special day designed to help girls and young women explore career possibilities in the STEM fields. Connect with representatives from local STEM businesses and organizations, explore a wide variety of STEM careers, and be inspired by a keynote speaker and expert panel of women in the STEM fields. 10:00am – 3:30pm Museum exploration and interaction with STEM professionals, businesses…

Ynes Mexia (May 24, 1870 – July 12, 1938) was a Mexican-American botanical collector and explorer. She is known for her vast collection of novel specimens of plants and flora, obtained by more than a decade of solo field expeditions in the Americas. Visit The Shop to make your own pocket field notebook, a tool in science for collecting scientific observations. After personalizing your Discovery Field Journal, head over to our Energy exhibit to complete a fun exercise in plant identification. Please…

Stop by The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own superhero. envision superpowers, create the backstory, design the costume, and more! Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Ynes Mexia (May 24, 1870 – July 12, 1938) was a Mexican-American botanical collector and explorer. She is known for her vast collection of novel specimens of plants and flora, obtained by more than a decade of solo field expeditions in the Americas. Visit The Shop to make your own pocket field notebook, a tool in science for collecting scientific observations. After personalizing your Discovery Field Journal, head over to our Energy exhibit to complete a fun exercise in plant identification. Please…

Without question, the world of science is growing. With that growth comes a field of study focused on material at a scale smaller than we’ve ever seen. At this Science Distilled, we invited you to explore science on a nano scale and the ways this emerging field can contribute to advances in medicine, technology, safety and the environment. During intermission, attendees are welcome to explore Brick Masters Studio: Build With LEGO® Bricks Like a Pro, The Discovery’s current featured exhibition.…

Visit The Shop to design a hanging mobile. Using tools like wire and pliers, yarn and wood, and a variety of other materials, you can create your own suspended decoration for your space. Please note: The Shop  offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am.

Dogs are easy to train. Bugs are not. Except for this cute little fella. He always does what you tell him. But can you program him to navigate an obstacle course or perform a specific action? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to find out if you have what it takes to code a bug!

Coordinated by the University of Nevada, Reno Aerospace & Defense Academy and AHA Projects, the second annual SciVenture Science Fair showcases innovative projects by young talent in Northern Nevada. Reno’s long-standing tradition of an annual science fair was held at UNR, but during the COVID-19 pandemic the fair was lost. Now, thanks to the passion of two local hight school students, Reno is bringing back the Science Fair—stronger than ever. SciVenture is more than a science competition—it’s an opportunity for…

Dogs are easy to train. Bugs are not. Except for this cute little fella. He always does what you tell him. But can you program him to navigate an obstacle course or perform a specific action? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to find out if you have what it takes to code a bug!

Visit The Shop to design a hanging mobile. Using tools like wire and pliers, yarn and wood, and a variety of other materials, you can create your own suspended decoration for your space. Please note: The Shop  offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Dogs are easy to train. Bugs are not. Except for this cute little fella. He always does what you tell him. But can you program him to navigate an obstacle course or perform a specific action? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to find out if you have what it takes to code a bug!

Visit The Shop to design a hanging mobile. Using tools like wire and pliers, yarn and wood, and a variety of other materials, you can create your own suspended decoration for your space. Please note: The Shop  offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am.

Visitors can use a variety of pieces that could be used to create a new sport, or innovate a sport they like. pieces are cones, various sports pieces, some baskets, small pallets, Tinkertoys and Lego. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

With spring almost upon us, visit The Shop to build a cozy home for our feathered friends. Using various wooden materials and available tools, you can design and build your own version of a classic birdhouse. Please note: The Shop  offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Visitors can use a variety of pieces that could be used to create a new sport, or innovate a sport they like. pieces are cones, various sports pieces, some baskets, small pallets, Tinkertoys and Lego. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

With spring almost upon us, visit The Shop to build a cozy home for our feathered friends. Using various wooden materials and available tools, you can design and build your own version of a classic birdhouse. Please note: The Shop  offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Visitors can use a variety of pieces that could be used to create a new sport, or innovate a sport they like. pieces are cones, various sports pieces, some baskets, small pallets, Tinkertoys and Lego. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

With spring almost upon us, visit The Shop to build a cozy home for our feathered friends. Using various wooden materials and available tools, you can design and build your own version of a classic birdhouse. Please note: The Shop  offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am.

Visitors can use a variety of pieces that could be used to create a new sport, or innovate a sport they like. pieces are cones, various sports pieces, some baskets, small pallets, Tinkertoys and Lego. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Visit The Shop to put your creativity and your sewing skills to the test when you design your very own stuffed shark. You’ll use available materials to design and fill your own stuffed shark to keep! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.

Get under the hood at The Discovery! Motor on down to The Discovery for a day filled with hands-on automotive themed activities for car enthusiasts of every age. Join experts from NAPA AutoCare Centers to explore the inner workings of automobiles and the systems that make them go, turn and stop. Here are some of the exciting things happening on this special day:

Visitors can use a variety of pieces that could be used to create a new sport, or innovate a sport they like. pieces are cones, various sports pieces, some baskets, small pallets, Tinkertoys and Lego. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Visit The Shop to put your creativity and your sewing skills to the test when you design your very own stuffed shark. You’ll use available materials to design and fill your own stuffed shark to keep! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.

Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am.

Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to create an expansive cardboard city. Build homes, skyscrapers, churches, parks, stores… whatever you can imagine. This is an ongoing collaborative project that will grow and change throughout the day. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to create an expansive cardboard city. Build homes, skyscrapers, churches, parks, stores… whatever you can imagine. This is an ongoing collaborative project that will grow and change throughout the day. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to create an expansive cardboard city. Build homes, skyscrapers, churches, parks, stores… whatever you can imagine. This is an ongoing collaborative project that will grow and change throughout the day. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to create an expansive cardboard city. Build homes, skyscrapers, churches, parks, stores… whatever you can imagine. This is an ongoing collaborative project that will grow and change throughout the day. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to create an expansive cardboard city. Build homes, skyscrapers, churches, parks, stores… whatever you can imagine. This is an ongoing collaborative project that will grow and change throughout the day. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Work with fellow museum visitors in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to create an expansive cardboard city. Build homes, skyscrapers, churches, parks, stores… whatever you can imagine. This is an ongoing collaborative project that will grow and change throughout the day. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

In honor of earth day, in this hands-on activity, visitors can invent a device that will help keep Lake Tahoe’s beaches and shores clean using a variety of materials. What will you invent to help preserve one of America’s most beautiful lakes and the jewel of the Sierra? Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

In honor of earth day, in this hands-on activity, visitors can invent a device that will help keep Lake Tahoe’s beaches and shores clean using a variety of materials. What will you invent to help preserve one of America’s most beautiful lakes and the jewel of the Sierra? Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Celebrate the science, technology, and pop culture surrounding one of the most famous non-events in history. Party like it’s 1999 when you delve into activities inspired by the late 90’s and early 2000’s including booyah buttons, PS2 battles, millennium snapshots, Y2K fashion faux paus, and much, much more! It’s gonna be the bomb.com! Labs, lectures and experiences at this Social Science will include: Party Like It’s 1999 Bask in all of the feel good hits of the late 90’s and…

In honor of earth day, in this hands-on activity, visitors can invent a device that will help keep Lake Tahoe’s beaches and shores clean using a variety of materials. What will you invent to help preserve one of America’s most beautiful lakes and the jewel of the Sierra? Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

In honor of earth day, in this hands-on activity, visitors can invent a device that will help keep Lake Tahoe’s beaches and shores clean using a variety of materials. What will you invent to help preserve one of America’s most beautiful lakes and the jewel of the Sierra? Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

In honor of earth day, in this hands-on activity, visitors can invent a device that will help keep Lake Tahoe’s beaches and shores clean using a variety of materials. What will you invent to help preserve one of America’s most beautiful lakes and the jewel of the Sierra? Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

In honor of earth day, in this hands-on activity, visitors can invent a device that will help keep Lake Tahoe’s beaches and shores clean using a variety of materials. What will you invent to help preserve one of America’s most beautiful lakes and the jewel of the Sierra? Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Humans have long endeavored to travel among the stars. To do so, we need innovative spaceships that go farther and faster than ever before. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a spacecraft using recycled materials, considering things like how it will be powered, where it will travel, who will be at the controls, and other important aspects of the mission. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors…

Explore the art of the steal at this Social Science inspired by the science and tech used to pull off the biggest heists. Get ready to steal the crown jewels when you take part in activities including stealing the gold, creating Italian Job pasta art, escaping a laser maze, posing for mugshot, and a whole lot more! Make history and get the goods! Labs, lectures and experiences at this Social Science are still being finalized. Please check back. Due to…