Calendar of Events

Invention is a process! You’re invited to visit The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to explore the steps in the invention process including think it, sketch it, create it, tweak it, and sell it. Visit a station for each step in the process and who knows, you might just invent something new! 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.

Take inspiration from Orville & Wilbur Wright when you visit The Shop to design and build your version of a flyer machine. Using available materials and real tool, you can create your own rendition of the famous Wright Flyer! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Invention is a process! You’re invited to visit The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to explore the steps in the invention process including think it, sketch it, create it, tweak it, and sell it. Visit a station for each step in the process and who knows, you might just invent something new! 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.

Take inspiration from Orville & Wilbur Wright when you visit The Shop to design and build your version of a flyer machine. Using available materials and real tool, you can create your own rendition of the famous Wright Flyer! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Unleash the ooze! A hands‑on celebration where science gets delightfully messy. The inaugural Biggest Little Mess Fest is The Discovery’s hands-on celebration of messy exploration and creativity where people of all ages are encouraged to squish, splash, and explore without worrying about making a mess. Through STEM-rich activities, Mess Fest transforms curiosity into joyful learning and gives attendees permission to learn by getting messy!

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.

Take inspiration from Orville & Wilbur Wright when you visit The Shop to design and build your version of a flyer machine. Using available materials and real tool, you can create your own rendition of the famous Wright Flyer! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Using cardboard and yarn, visitors can make a small loom to create little woven masterpieces. The looms will be under 10×10″, meaning the woven fabric they create will be small (mousepad or coaster size). Materials included are yarn, cardboard and scissors. 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.

Using cardboard and yarn, visitors can make a small loom to create little woven masterpieces. The looms will be under 10×10″, meaning the woven fabric they create will be small (mousepad or coaster size). Materials included are yarn, cardboard and scissors. 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.

Using cardboard and yarn, visitors can make a small loom to create little woven masterpieces. The looms will be under 10×10″, meaning the woven fabric they create will be small (mousepad or coaster size). Materials included are yarn, cardboard and scissors. 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.

Be part of the revolution! The Discovery is counting down to World Space Week, an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to space exploration. Visit the museum October 5-10 to get hands-on with rockets, satellites, and the future of space exploration through a variety of activities designed to inspire the next generation of astronauts and aerospace engineers!

Be part of the revolution! The Discovery is counting down to World Space Week, an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to space exploration. Visit the museum October 5-10 to get hands-on with rockets, satellites, and the future of space exploration through a variety of activities designed to inspire the next generation of astronauts and aerospace engineers!

Be part of the revolution! The Discovery is counting down to World Space Week, an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to space exploration. Visit the museum October 5-10 to get hands-on with rockets, satellites, and the future of space exploration through a variety of activities designed to inspire the next generation of astronauts and aerospace engineers!

Be part of the revolution! The Discovery is counting down to World Space Week, an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to space exploration. Visit the museum October 5-10 to get hands-on with rockets, satellites, and the future of space exploration through a variety of activities designed to inspire the next generation of astronauts and aerospace engineers!

Be part of the revolution! The Discovery is counting down to World Space Week, an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to space exploration. Visit the museum October 5-10 to get hands-on with rockets, satellites, and the future of space exploration through a variety of activities designed to inspire the next generation of astronauts and aerospace engineers!

Be part of the revolution! The Discovery is counting down to World Space Week, an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to space exploration. Visit the museum October 5-10 to get hands-on with rockets, satellites, and the future of space exploration through a variety of activities designed to inspire the next generation of astronauts and aerospace engineers!

Get ready for a hauntingly good time at The Discovery’s 15th annual Halloween Trick or Treat. Visit the museum in costume and trick-or-treat from gallery to gallery. There’ll be spooky decorations and delicious treats for all the friendly or scary ghosts, ghouls and goblins who dare to attend. A note about costumes: For the safety of all visitors, costumes with weapons of any kind are not allowed. Purchase Tickets Avoid the line, buy your tickets online! Advance tickets are suggested,…