Calendar of Events

A Catrina doll is a representation of the iconic skeleton woman, La Catrina, who is a symbol of the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. In this activity, museum visitors will make their own Catrina doll using colored paper, packing peanuts, and a variety of other craft supplies for decoration. Note: This activity is designed for all ages. Younger participants may require assistance from an adult/caregiver. Adults are encouraged to help young particpants use the tools and…

Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at The Discovery when you make your own wearable Calavera, a traditional symbol of the holiday. Design and decorate your own colorful skull mask to celebrate the holiday or any time of the year. Best of all, what you make is yours to keep! 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…

A Catrina doll is a representation of the iconic skeleton woman, La Catrina, who is a symbol of the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration. In this activity, museum visitors will make their own Catrina doll using colored paper, packing peanuts, and a variety of other craft supplies for decoration. Note: This activity is designed for all ages. Younger participants may require assistance from an adult/caregiver. Adults are encouraged to help young particpants use the tools and…

Modeling clay is a great way to start a project. It’s easily malleable consistency makes it easy to use (and reuse) for creating a prototype for nearly any project. Visit The Shop to try your hand at using modeling clay to design nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, what you create is yours 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…

Modeling clay is a great way to start a project. It’s easily malleable consistency makes it easy to use (and reuse) for creating a prototype for nearly any project. Visit The Shop to try your hand at using modeling clay to design nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, what you create is yours 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…

Get ready to explore the world of sharks with The Discovery’s Museum Education Coordinator and Gills Club scientist, Maggie McClain. Participants in this hands-on exploration will learn about geological time, when sharks first appeared on Earth, and how we can use shark fossils to learn more about how they lived. Participants will also study fossilized shark teeth and make their own “fossil” imprint. Note: Gills Club events are designed to inspire a passion for marine biology in young girls however,…

Visit The Shop to create the perfect decoration for fall. Using hammers and nails, you can create a autumn-inspired shape to trace with festive fall yarn. Best of all, what you make is yours to take home! 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.

Visit The Shop to create the perfect decoration for fall. Using hammers and nails, you can create a autumn-inspired shape to trace with festive fall yarn. Best of all, what you make is yours to take home! 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.

Can a turkey really fly? Find out in The Shop when you build a catapult-style turkey launcher using available tools and materials. Design, built, test and repeat—how far can your tiny turkey fly? 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.

Can a turkey really fly? Find out in The Shop when you build a catapult-style turkey launcher using available tools and materials. Design, built, test and repeat—how far can your tiny turkey fly? 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.

Can a turkey really fly? Find out in The Shop when you build a catapult-style turkey launcher using available tools and materials. Design, built, test and repeat—how far can your tiny turkey fly? 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.

Bring the outdoors inside when you visit The Shop to create you own miniature terrarium. Using gravel for drainage, potting soil and your choice of real or imitation plants, you’ll create a self-contained terrarium that requires minimal care. What you make is yours to keep! 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.

Bring the outdoors inside when you visit The Shop to create you own miniature terrarium. Using gravel for drainage, potting soil and your choice of real or imitation plants, you’ll create a self-contained terrarium that requires minimal care. What you make is yours to keep! 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.

Visit The Shop to combine science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) to create a holiday themed decoration that transfers energy to light an LED. Design, test and refine your creation until you’re pleased with how it works. Best of all, what create is yours to keep! 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.

Register for a LEGO® Robot Rumble session and you’ll learn how to build and code the ultimate autonomous, fighting robot using using LEGO® Mindstorms. Then, test your bot’s capabilities when you pit it against your fellow participants in a head-to-head battle. Your objective? Push your competitor’s bot out of the ring to declare victory!

Visit The Shop to combine science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) to create a holiday themed decoration that transfers energy to light an LED. Design, test and refine your creation until you’re pleased with how it works. Best of all, what create is yours to keep! 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.

Visit The Shop to combine science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) to create a holiday themed decoration that transfers energy to light an LED. Design, test and refine your creation until you’re pleased with how it works. Best of all, what create is yours to keep! 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.

Light up your holiday with a greeting card that glows! Visit The Shop to use a variety of available materials along with a battery, LED and copper circuitry to create a holiday greeting that shines like Rudolph’s nose. 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.

Register for a LEGO® Robot Rumble session and you’ll learn how to build and code the ultimate autonomous, fighting robot using using LEGO® Mindstorms. Then, test your bot’s capabilities when you pit it against your fellow participants in a head-to-head battle. Your objective? Push your competitor’s bot out of the ring to declare victory!

Light up your holiday with a greeting card that glows! Visit The Shop to use a variety of available materials along with a battery, LED and copper circuitry to create a holiday greeting that shines like Rudolph’s nose. 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.

Light up your holiday with a greeting card that glows! Visit The Shop to use a variety of available materials along with a battery, LED and copper circuitry to create a holiday greeting that shines like Rudolph’s nose. 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.

Young discoverers will delight in exploring a variety of scientific principles through various balloon-related activities. Please note: This activity is offered as part of The Discovery’s Small Wonder Wednesday program and is limited to attendees ages 5 and under.

Deck the halls and spread holiday cheer with decorations you make in The Shop. Choose from a variety of materials to create the perfect way to celebrate the spirit of the season. Create unique, handcrafted and festive decor to brighten your home. Best of all, what you make is yours to keep! 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…

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!