Calendar of Events

On your marks, get set, go! Visit The Shop to build a recycled race car powered by physics. Using a variety of tools and recycled materials, you can create a racer that uses the level of a mousetrap to make it go! 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.

Inspired by inventor Maria E. Beasley, visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to use a variety of materials to design, build and test your own life raft. In 1800, Maria E. Beasley was awarded two separate patents for her improved life raft design. Please note: This activity includes 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.

On your marks, get set, go! Visit The Shop to build a recycled race car powered by physics. Using a variety of tools and recycled materials, you can create a racer that uses the level of a mousetrap to make it go! 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.

Inspired by inventor Maria E. Beasley, visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to use a variety of materials to design, build and test your own life raft. In 1800, Maria E. Beasley was awarded two separate patents for her improved life raft design. Please note: This activity includes 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.

Prepare for lift-off when you build a compressed-air rocket using the provided template and then test your rocket’s flight capabilities using the museum’s compressed air launcher to send your spacecraft soaring toward the moon! Note: This activity is designed for all ages. Younger rocket builders may require assistance from an adult/caregiver. Multiple attempts to successfully build and launch a rocket are encouraged.

On your marks, get set, go! Visit The Shop to build a recycled race car powered by physics. Using a variety of tools and recycled materials, you can create a racer that uses the level of a mousetrap to make it go! 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.

Inspired by author Hiromu Arakawa, visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to use cardboard and other recycled and consumable materials to invent a mechanical hand. In 2001, Hiromu Arakawa created “Fullmetal Alchemist,” a Japanese manga series. This series has sold over 64 million volumes worldwide. Please note: This activity includes 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.

Landing a spacecraft on the Moon’s surface with delicate space research equipment and astronauts onboard is your challenge. The Shop is your laboratory. Using a variety of materials, you can create a lunar lander to protect your astronaut (an egg) as it descends to the surface (the lower level of the museum) two stories below. 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…

Inspired by author Hiromu Arakawa, visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to use cardboard and other recycled and consumable materials to invent a mechanical hand. In 2001, Hiromu Arakawa created “Fullmetal Alchemist,” a Japanese manga series. This series has sold over 64 million volumes worldwide. Please note: This activity includes 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.

Landing a spacecraft on the Moon’s surface with delicate space research equipment and astronauts onboard is your challenge. The Shop is your laboratory. Using a variety of materials, you can create a lunar lander to protect your astronaut (an egg) as it descends to the surface (the lower level of the museum) two stories below. 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…

Can you design and build within the confines of limited materials? Find out in The Shop when you can take part in the Open Build: Grab Bag Challenge. Using a random selection of provided objects, use your creativity and a variety of tools to see what you can create. Best of all, what you build 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…

Even with modern engineering and technology, space travel is still a daunting and detail-oriented task. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to plan your own space mission by deciding what you must take to successfully reach the moon and return to Earth safely.

Even with modern engineering and technology, space travel is still a daunting and detail-oriented task. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to plan your own space mission by deciding what you must take to successfully reach the moon and return to Earth safely.

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 just some of the things happening on this special day:

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 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…

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.

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.

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.

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.