Calendar of Events

Hands-on gets serious in The Shop! In this material-specific session of Open Build, you’ll use real tools like a sewing machine, hot glue and fabric glue to create nearly anything you can imagine out of fabric. Best of all, what you 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.

November 2022 marked 100 years since British archaeologist Howard Carter unearthed King Tutankhamun’s tomb. In the years since that legendary find, the tombs of these ancient rulers continue to provide surprising insights into life and death in ancient Egypt. Visit The Discovery during this unique themed week to explore the captivating aspects of Egyptology through a variety of hands-on activities. Create a pharaoh’s crown in The Shop, explore the science of mummification in Spark!Lab Smithsonian, learn to read and write hieroglyphics,…

Ready to engage in battle? Register for one of our one-day classes and you’ll learn how to build the ultimate BattleBot using using LEGO® Mindstorm robotics. Then, test your bot’s capabilities when you pit it against your fellow participants in a head-to-head, sumo-style battle. Your objective? Push your competitors’ bot out of the ring to declare victory! Age Group Time Member Nonmember Registration Ages 5-8* 10:00 – 11:30am $25 $30 Ages 9-12 1:00 – 4:00pm $30 $35 *Registrants ages 5-8…

November 2022 marked 100 years since British archaeologist Howard Carter unearthed King Tutankhamun’s tomb. In the years since that legendary find, the tombs of these ancient rulers continue to provide surprising insights into life and death in ancient Egypt. Visit The Discovery during this unique themed week to explore the captivating aspects of Egyptology through a variety of hands-on activities. Create a pharaoh’s crown in The Shop, explore the science of mummification in Spark!Lab Smithsonian, learn to read and write hieroglyphics,…

November 2022 marked 100 years since British archaeologist Howard Carter unearthed King Tutankhamun’s tomb. In the years since that legendary find, the tombs of these ancient rulers continue to provide surprising insights into life and death in ancient Egypt. Visit The Discovery during this unique themed week to explore the captivating aspects of Egyptology through a variety of hands-on activities. Create a pharaoh’s crown in The Shop, explore the science of mummification in Spark!Lab Smithsonian, learn to read and write hieroglyphics,…

Inspired by author Hiromu Arakawa, visit The Shop to use cardboard and other recycled and consumable materials to design and build mechanical hand. In 2001, Hiromu Arakawa created “Fullmetal Alchemist,” a Japanese manga series. This series has sold over 64 million volumes worldwide. 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 use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Join members of the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) here at The Discovery and get up close and personal with pesky mosquitos. Visitors will be able to examine mosquitos and their larvae through microscopes, learn about the life cycle of these pests, play games, make crafts, and more.

Inspired by author Hiromu Arakawa, visit The Shop to use cardboard and other recycled and consumable materials to design and build mechanical hand. In 2001, Hiromu Arakawa created “Fullmetal Alchemist,” a Japanese manga series. This series has sold over 64 million volumes worldwide. 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 use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Hands-on gets serious in The Shop! In this material-specific session of Open Build, you’ll use real tools to build nearly anything you can imagine out of a variety of plastics. Best of all, what you 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.

Hands-on gets serious in The Shop! In this material-specific session of Open Build, you’ll use real tools to create nearly anything you can imagine out of yarn, ribbon, twine, mason line, and more! Learn to make t-shirt yarn and try other techniques like weaving, crochet, knitting, and macramé. Best of all, what you 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…

In honor of the debut of Monster Fish: In Seach of the Last River Giants, visit The Shop to create a monster fish of your very own. Using a variety of fabrics, batting, hot glue and fabric glue, you can create a cozy monster fish that’s 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 young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

In honor of the debut of Monster Fish: In Seach of the Last River Giants, visit The Shop to create a monster fish of your very own. Using a variety of fabrics, batting, hot glue and fabric glue, you can create a cozy monster fish that’s 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 young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Visit The Shop to design and build your own version of a nautical vessel. Using a selection of buoyant materials and a variety of tools, you can create a boat and then test its seaworthiness. 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 design and build your own version of a nautical vessel. Using a selection of buoyant materials and a variety of tools, you can create a boat and then test its seaworthiness. 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.

Hands-on gets serious in The Shop! In this material-specific session of Open Build, you’ll use real tools to build nearly anything you can imagine out of cardboard. 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 young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Visit The Shop to create a sculpture using decorative Washi tape. Combine wire and a wooden base to create an armature to then layer various Washi tape designs on to create nearly anything you can imagine. 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 safely in this space.

Visit The Shop to create a sculpture using decorative Washi tape. Combine wire and a wooden base to create an armature to then layer various Washi tape designs on to create nearly anything you can imagine. 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 safely in this space.

Hands-on gets serious in The Shop! In this material-specific session of Open Build, you’ll use real tools to build nearly anything you can imagine out of wood. 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 young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Visit The Shop to create an artistic representation of a beautiful flower. Using wood and a variety of other materials, you can create a vibrant spring flower. 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 an artistic representation of a beautiful flower. Using wood and a variety of other materials, you can create a vibrant spring flower. 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.

Hands-on gets serious in The Shop! In this material-specific session of Open Build, you’ll use real tools to build nearly anything you can imagine out of a variety of plastics. Best of all, what you 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.

Hands-on gets serious in The Shop! In this material-specific session of Open Build, you’ll use real tools to build nearly anything you can imagine out of cardboard. 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 young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Join scientists from the American Association of Biological Anthropologists to talk about the biology and behavior of humans, primates, and human ancestors. They will have casts of bones from apes, monkeys, and extinct fossil species for visitors to examine, and spur questions and conversation. They will also be happy to talk about scientific careers, and what research is like in the lab or the field. All ages are welcome! The American Association of Biological Anthropologists, or AABA, is the world’s…

In this activity in The Shop, you can create a scary mixed-media beast. Using a variety of tools and a combination of materials like cardboard, cups, fabric, wood, and more, you can create your own mixed-media monster! 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 safely in this space.