Calendar of Events

Visiting other planets requires specialized transportation methods. Visit The Shop to chose from a variety of tools and materials to create your own version of a self-propelled Mars Rover or Jupiter Jeep. 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.

Join Visiting Tinkerer Peter Hazel, who will lead visitors through the intricate process of designing a large mosaic sculpture. With Peter’s help, museum visitors will create a mosaic tile to be added to a large-scale, 3D sculpture that will then be displayed at The Discovery. Our thanks to the Meyer family for their generous support of the Visiting Tinkerer program. About Peter Hazel Peter Hazel, 3D sculpture artist, is a master craftsman known for his design expertise and creativity with…

Join Tahoe Star Tours at “The Planet Bar” to order up a solar system destination. Our solar system is comprised of eight planets and a variety of minor bodies. We live on the third planet and we have thrived. What other planets could we live on, and which ones would we want to avoid? Find out during this visit from celestial expert, Tony the Star Guide. Tahoe Star Tours‘ mission is to open imaginations, fill minds with the science of…

Visiting other planets requires specialized transportation methods. Visit The Shop to chose from a variety of tools and materials to create your own version of a self-propelled Mars Rover or Jupiter Jeep. 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.

Be inspired by the stars above in this fun constellation construction activity in The Shop.  Using available tools, hardware and sewing techniques, you’ll create your own artistic celestial keepsake. 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.

Be inspired by the stars above in this fun constellation construction activity in The Shop.  Using available tools, hardware and sewing techniques, you’ll create your own artistic celestial keepsake. 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.

Be inspired by the stars above in this fun constellation construction activity in The Shop.  Using available tools, hardware and sewing techniques, you’ll create your own artistic celestial keepsake. 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 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.

Explore the process of linocut printing in The Shop. Using a variety of tools, you’ll create your own linocut design and use it to create a print with colorful ink. 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.

Explore the process of linocut printing in The Shop. Using a variety of tools, you’ll create your own linocut design and use it to create a print with colorful ink. 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.

Explore the process of linocut printing in The Shop. Using a variety of tools, you’ll create your own linocut design and use it to create a print with colorful ink. 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.

Celebrate Earth Day with our friends from The Goddard School by participating in a spring planting activity during The Discovery’s $5 after 4pm admission program. $5 admission program supported in part by:

Join us on Earth Day to try your hand at shibori, a unique Japanese fabric dyeing technique. You’ll learn how to twist, fold, tie and bind fabrics to make simple patterns while working with indigo, one of the oldest natural dyes. This hands-on workshop will be taught by Sarah Lillegard. A local artist and maker, Sarah has taught workshops on ‘zine making, graphic design, natural dyeing and wool spinning to a range of students. Note: This is a walk-in program.…

Bring the sweet smell of spring indoors with a hand-rolled candle made from beeswax in The Shop. 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 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 on the waters of The Discovery’s Truckee Connects exhibit. 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 on the waters of The Discovery’s Truckee Connects exhibit. 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.

In celebration of National Architecture Week 2017, join us to design and build your own play structure! Carve, stack, and fold your way to the playground of your dreams, and be inspired by great examples of architectural design. This activity is presented in partnership with the Northern Nevada chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Use your creativity and “the force” when you create you own LED lightsaber in The Shop. 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.

May is the perfect month to get into metal! Try out stamping or wire design—either way, you’ll leave with a handmade keepsake that you can use as a keychain, bookmark or wearable. Local metalsmith Karen Hancock will show you how to work with copper and brass in this interactive workshop. Karen is the owner and designer behind the minimal-yet-daring jewelry line Right Collection. Note: This is a walk-in program. However, preregistration is recommended. Our thanks to the Meyer family for…