Calendar of Events
Past Events › Hands-on Activity
Wooden Puzzles
Put your do-it-yourself skills to work in The Shop when you use real tools and materials to create a variety of fun puzzles and games. 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.
Find out more »Wooden Puzzles
Put your do-it-yourself skills to work in The Shop when you use real tools and materials to create a variety of fun puzzles and games. 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.
Find out more »Open Build in The Shop
In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During Open Build, take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build 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 be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »Tech!Night February
Visit The Discovery on the second Wednesday of every month for Tech!Night, a new program designed to put emerging technology in the hands of museum visitors. Tech!Nights will feature a variety of high-tech tools and techniques, gadgets and games – command a robot, print in 3-D, and even code a new game – happening monthly in Spark!Lab Smithsonian. Generously supported by:
Find out more »Mini Robot Bugs
One event on February 16, 2019 at 10:30 am
One event on February 20, 2019 at 2:30 pm
Visit The Shop to build a mini robot bug using a battery and a small motor. Choose from a variety of materials to give your insect charm and character! 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.
Find out more »Open Build in The Shop
In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During Open Build, take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build 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 be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »Hardware Fidget Spinners
Visit The Shop to use available tool and materials to create your own version of the popular fidget spinner. Building on a provided bearing (while supplies last), you can use a variety of materials to create a custom-design fidget spinner made to your exacting specifications. 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.
Find out more »Mini Robot Bugs
Visit The Shop to build a mini robot bug using a battery and a small motor. Choose from a variety of materials to give your insect charm and character! 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.
Find out more »LEGO® BattleBots
Ready to engage in battle? Register for this class and you’ll learn how to built 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! Register today for one of two age groups. Age Group Time Member Nonmember Remaining Register Ages 5-8* 10:00 – 11:30am $15 $20 0 spots Ages 9-12…
Find out more »Visiting Artist: Rebekah Stetson
Bath fizzies are great to add to your bath for a relaxing and pleasant smelling experience. They make great gifts, too! Join Visiting Artist Rebekah Stetson to make bath fizzies in a variety of colors and scents using all organic ingredients. Bath fizzies make a sizzling fizz as they dissolve! Join us to find out why, and make your own to take home. About Rebekah Stetson Rebekah Stetson is a Swiss army knife of arts and education with a passion for…
Find out more »LEGO® BattleBots
Ready to engage in battle? Register for this class and you’ll learn how to built 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! Register today for one of two age groups. Age Group Time Member Nonmember Remaining Register Ages 5-8* 10:00 – 11:30am $15 $20 0 spots Ages 9-12…
Find out more »DIY Birdhouses
One event on March 3, 2019 at 12:30 pm
One event on March 6, 2019 at 10:30 am
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.
Find out more »DIY Birdhouses
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.
Find out more »DIY Birdhouses
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.
Find out more »LEGO® BattleBots
Ready to engage in battle? Register for this class and you’ll learn how to built 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! Register today for one of two age groups. Age Group Time Member Nonmember Remaining Register Ages 5-8* 10:00 – 11:30am $15 $20 0 spots Ages 9-12…
Find out more »Tech!Night March
Visit The Discovery on the second Wednesday of every month for Tech!Night, a new program designed to put emerging technology in the hands of museum visitors. Tech!Nights will feature a variety of high-tech tools and techniques, gadgets and games – command a robot, print in 3-D, and even code a new game – happening monthly in Spark!Lab Smithsonian. Generously supported by:
Find out more »Scribblebots
Robots might be perfect for performing repetitive, pre-programmed tasks, but they can also excel at more artistic tasks as well. Visit The Shop to design and build your own artistic robot, better known as a “Scribblebot.” Using a variety of materials you’ll build a robot that can draw while moving under its own power to create a unique work of art! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged…
Find out more »Scribblebots
Robots might be perfect for performing repetitive, pre-programmed tasks, but they can also excel at more artistic tasks as well. Visit The Shop to design and build your own artistic robot, better known as a “Scribblebot.” Using a variety of materials you’ll build a robot that can draw while moving under its own power to create a unique work of art! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged…
Find out more »Self-watering Planters
One event on March 23, 2019 at 10:30 am
One event on March 24, 2019 at 12:30 pm
Give your spring plants an early start with a self-watering planter you create in The Shop. Using available tools and materials, you can create a planter that will reliably water a plant so it can blossom and flourish. 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.
Find out more »Self-watering Planters
Give your spring plants an early start with a self-watering planter you create in The Shop. Using available tools and materials, you can create a planter that will reliably water a plant so it can blossom and flourish. 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.
Find out more »DIY Mindbender Puzzles
Continue the challenges found in The Discovery new featured exhibit, Mindbender Mansion, at home with a do-it-yourself puzzle you create in The Shop. Using available tools and materials, you can create a brain teaser to challenge yourself, your friends and your family. 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…
Find out more »Visiting Artist: Ashley Westwood
Join Visiting Artist Ashley Westwood to experiment with different watercolor techniques in this paper-relief project. Mask different areas of the paper to make shapes and patterns that will be revealed when the paint dries. Try out tools, other than ordinary paint brushes, to create your very own masterpiece! About Ashley Westwood Ashley Westwood is a Reno-based visual artist, working primarily in the watercolor medium. Ashley has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Reno and is a former member of the…
Find out more »Kinetic Carousels
Visit The Shop to harness the power of two types of energy. Using a provided template and a variety of other materials, you can create a wind-up carousel that spins when you let it go. Experiment with different materials and construction methods to see if you can make it spin faster or slower. 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…
Find out more »Kinetic Carousels
Visit The Shop to harness the power of two types of energy. Using a provided template and a variety of other materials, you can create a wind-up carousel that spins when you let it go. Experiment with different materials and construction methods to see if you can make it spin faster or slower. 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…
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