Calendar of Events

Visit The Shop to tackle the task of engineering a better bridge! Use available tools and materials to design and build a structure that will span from one pier to another, and then test its strength. 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 practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.

Visit The Shop to tackle the task of engineering a catapult! Use available tools and materials to design and build a contraption that will hurl an object as far as possible, and then put it to the test. 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 practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.

Visit The Shop to tackle the task of engineering a catapult! Use available tools and materials to design and build a contraption that will hurl an object as far as possible, and then put it to the test. 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 practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.

Visit The Shop to create your own robot built from a variety of re-purposed materials. And, best of all, the robot you build is yours to take home. 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 practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.

Join us in The Shop to put your craftsmanship to the test. Using available tools and a variety of wood scraps, you can build things like key holders, picture frames, flower boxes, or whatever you can imagine. 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 practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.

Art can be created using some of the most unusual materials. Join us in The Shop to create sculptures and other functional art projects by bending and shaping wire. 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 practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.

In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During “open build” take your pick of real tools and materials to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, whatever you create 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 Spark!Lab Smithsonian to put your robotic battle skills to the test. Using Lego building blocks, recycled materials, and your imagination, arm your ‘bot for battle against your fellow museum visitors. May the best ‘bot win!

Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to put your robotic battle skills to the test. Using Lego building blocks, recycled materials, and your imagination, arm your ‘bot for battle against your fellow museum visitors. May the best ‘bot win!

Join students from the University of Nevada, Reno College of Science Molecular Microbiology & Immunology program to view the results of a unique project where a variety of cultures were mimicked for study using ordinary soap. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about germs and create your own using Play-Doh.

Make an impression when you visit The Shop to create your own foam stamp. Create a pattern, cut out your shape, and then test your stamp’s imprint. 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 practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.

Make an impression when you visit The Shop to create your own foam stamp. Create a pattern, cut out your shape, and then test your stamp’s imprint. 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 practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.

Explore the importance of the emerging field of synthetic biology through a variety of hands-on activities. Building with Biology is part of a nationwide festival of educational programs designed to encourage conversations between the public and scientists. The Building with Biology project is funded by the National Science Foundation and led by the Museum of Science, Boston. Building with Biology kits are developed and distributed nationwide in collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), BioBuilder Educational…