Calendar of Events
Past Events › Invention Project
Programmable Mars Rovers
One event on June 22, 2019 at 10:30 am
One event on June 23, 2019 at 12:30 pm
Combine your LEGO® expertise with a your programming skills when you build a programmable Mars rover in Spark!Lab Smithsonian. Be sure to take into consideration the Red Planet’s harsh landscape and then design, build and program a rover to safely navigate Mars’ diverse terrain.
Find out more »Programmable Mars Rovers
Combine your LEGO® expertise with a your programming skills when you build a programmable Mars rover in Spark!Lab Smithsonian. Be sure to take into consideration the Red Planet’s harsh landscape and then design, build and program a rover to safely navigate Mars’ diverse terrain.
Find out more »Programmable Mars Rovers
Combine your LEGO® expertise with a your programming skills when you build a programmable Mars rover in Spark!Lab Smithsonian. Be sure to take into consideration the Red Planet’s harsh landscape and then design, build and program a rover to safely navigate Mars’ diverse terrain.
Find out more »Invent a Board Game
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your very own board game. Using available materials, you can invent a board game, write the rules of play, and create the pieces for your game as well. Challenge your friends and family to play your game and then refine your idea based on their feedback!
Find out more »Invent a Board Game
One event on November 29, 2019 at 10:30 am
One event on November 30, 2019 at 10:30 am
One event on January 18, 2020 at 10:30 am
One event on January 19, 2020 at 12:30 pm
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your very own board game. Using available materials, you can invent a board game, write the rules of play, and create the pieces for your game as well. Challenge your friends and family to play your game and then refine your idea based on their feedback!
Find out more »Discovery Puppet Theater
One event on December 26, 2019 at 10:30 am
One event on December 27, 2019 at 10:30 am
One event on December 28, 2019 at 10:30 am
One event on December 29, 2019 at 10:30 am
One event on December 30, 2019 at 10:30 am
Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.
Find out more »Discovery Puppet Theater
Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.
Find out more »Discovery Puppet Theater
Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.
Find out more »Discovery Puppet Theater
Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.
Find out more »Discovery Puppet Theater
Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.
Find out more »Discovery Puppet Theater
One event on January 25, 2020 at 10:30 am
One event on January 26, 2020 at 12:30 pm
Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.
Find out more »Prototype Pinball
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to experiment with the new Prototype Pinball exhibit. Arrange the various bumpers and figure out how long you can keep the marble from reaching the bottom of the game. Your feedback on this exhibit will help us develop the final version that will become a permanent part of the museum’s exhibit collection.
Find out more »Prototype Pinball
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to experiment with the new Prototype Pinball exhibit. Arrange the various bumpers and figure out how long you can keep the marble from reaching the bottom of the game. Your feedback on this exhibit will help us develop the final version that will become a permanent part of the museum’s exhibit collection.
Find out more »Prototype Pinball
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to experiment with the new Prototype Pinball exhibit. Arrange the various bumpers and figure out how long you can keep the marble from reaching the bottom of the game. Your feedback on this exhibit will help us develop the final version that will become a permanent part of the museum’s exhibit collection.
Find out more »Invent a Board Game
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your very own board game. Using available materials, you can invent a board game, write the rules of play, and create the pieces for your game as well. Challenge your friends and family to play your game and then refine your idea based on their feedback!
Find out more »Discovery Puppet Theater
Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.
Find out more »Invent a Holiday Ornament
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own holiday ornament. Using a variety of materials and your creativity, you can invest an ornament perfect for holiday decoration. Best of all, what you make is yours to keep!
Find out more »Invent an Instrument
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Take the entire family to the top of the charts with the new tune you play on the instruments you invent in Spark!Lab Smithsonian. Using available tools and materials, design and build your own musical instrument you can actually play. Best of all, what you create is yours to keep! Please note: This activity offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely…
Find out more »Invent a Life Raft
Reno, NV 89501 United States
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.
Find out more »Invent a Life Raft
Reno, NV 89501 United States
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.
Find out more »Invent a Mechanical Hand
One event on March 19, 2022 at 10:30 am
One event on March 20, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Reno, NV 89501 United States
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.
Find out more »Invent a Mechanical Hand
Reno, NV 89501 United States
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.
Find out more »Plan a Space Mission
One event on March 26, 2022 at 10:30 am
One event on March 27, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Reno, NV 89501 United States
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.
Find out more »Plan a Space Mission
Reno, NV 89501 United States
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.
Find out more »