Calendar of Events
Past Events › Invention Project
Spark!Lab Rocket Week
Prepare for lift-off in The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian when you build a paper 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!
Find out more »Spark!Lab Rocket Week
Prepare for lift-off in The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian when you build a paper 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!
Find out more »Spark!Lab Rocket Week
An event every day that begins at 10:30 am, repeating until November 26, 2016
Prepare for lift-off in The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian when you build a paper 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!
Find out more »Play the Theremin
It may sound like its from the future, but its actually from the past. The theremin, invented in 1920 by Léon Theremin, is an instrument you play by waiving your hands near two antennas—you never actually touch the instrument. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to try your hand(s) at creating a song of your own on a modern day theremin!
Find out more »Squiggle Bots
Robots might be perfect for performing repetitive, preprogrammed tasks, but they can also excel at more artistic tasks as well. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own artistic robot, better known as a “Squiggle Bot.” Using a variety of materials you’ll build a robot that can draw while moving to create a unique piece of art!
Find out more »Squiggle Bots
An event every day that begins at 10:00 am, repeating until January 14, 2017
Robots might be perfect for performing repetitive, preprogrammed tasks, but they can also excel at more artistic tasks as well. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own artistic robot, better known as a “Squiggle Bot.” Using a variety of materials you’ll build a robot that can draw while moving to create a unique piece of art!
Find out more »Squiggle Bots
Robots might be perfect for performing repetitive, preprogrammed tasks, but they can also excel at more artistic tasks as well. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own artistic robot, better known as a “Squiggle Bot.” Using a variety of materials you’ll build a robot that can draw while moving to create a unique piece of art!
Find out more »Dino Banks
An event every week that begins at 9:00 am on Sunday, repeating until June 3, 2017
Use your ingenuity in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a new prehistoric-themed way to collect loose change and save for the future. Using available materials and your creativity, you’ll create your very own dino bank to keep.
Find out more »Dino Banks
Use your ingenuity in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a new prehistoric-themed way to collect loose change and save for the future. Using available materials and your creativity, you’ll create your very own dino bank to keep.
Find out more »Dino Banks
Use your ingenuity in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a new prehistoric-themed way to collect loose change and save for the future. Using available materials and your creativity, you’ll create your very own dino bank to keep.
Find out more »Invent a Fidget Cube
Put your ingenuity to the test in Spark!Lab Smithsonian when you use available tools and materials to invent your own version of the popular fidget spinner. Relieve stress and nervous energy while you fidget with a device you created! Best of all, what you make is your to take home.
Find out more »Invent a Fidget Cube
Put your ingenuity to the test in Spark!Lab Smithsonian when you use available tools and materials to invent your own version of the popular fidget spinner. Relieve stress and nervous energy while you fidget with a device you created! Best of all, what you make is your to take home.
Find out more »Squishy Circuitry
One event on September 23, 2018 at 12:30 pm
One event on September 26, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Explore electricity, conductivity and creativity when you use LEDs and conductive dough to invent wacky light-up sculptures 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.
Find out more »Squishy Circuitry
Explore electricity, conductivity and creativity when you use LEDs and conductive dough to invent wacky light-up sculptures 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.
Find out more »Squishy Circuitry
Explore electricity, conductivity and creativity when you use LEDs and conductive dough to invent wacky light-up sculptures 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.
Find out more »Wobblebots
One event on December 23, 2018 at 12:30 pm
One event on December 26, 2018 at 10:30 am
Stop into Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your very own wobblebot. Combine a variety of common materials and simple electronics to create a “robot” that wiggles, wobbles. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »Wobblebots
Stop into Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your very own wobblebot. Combine a variety of common materials and simple electronics to create a “robot” that wiggles, wobbles. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »Wobblebots
Stop into Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your very own wobblebot. Combine a variety of common materials and simple electronics to create a “robot” that wiggles, wobbles. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »Edison Challenge
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to take part in the Edison Challenge. In this activity you’ll use your imagination, a pile of junk, and electrical components so see if you can prove famous inventor, Thomas Edison, correct when he said, “all you need to invent is your imagination and a pile of junk.”
Find out more »Edison Challenge
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to take part in the Edison Challenge. In this activity you’ll use your imagination, a pile of junk, and electrical components so see if you can prove famous inventor, Thomas Edison, correct when he said, “all you need to invent is your imagination and a pile of junk.”
Find out more »Crash Test Cars
One event on April 13, 2019 at 10:30 am
One event on April 14, 2019 at 12:00 pm
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian and use the process of invention to build a car that’ll protect its precious cargo. Using available materials and the invention process, you can create a vehicle that will protect a raw egg in the event of a crash. Even if your egg breaks, you can tweak your design and test it again, and again, and again! Please note: Activity available while egg supply lasts. Spark!Lab Smithsonian offers access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if…
Find out more »Crash Test Cars
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian and use the process of invention to build a car that’ll protect its precious cargo. Using available materials and the invention process, you can create a vehicle that will protect a raw egg in the event of a crash. Even if your egg breaks, you can tweak your design and test it again, and again, and again! Please note: Activity available while egg supply lasts. Spark!Lab Smithsonian offers access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if…
Find out more »Crash Test Cars
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian and use the process of invention to build a car that’ll protect its precious cargo. Using available materials and the invention process, you can create a vehicle that will protect a raw egg in the event of a crash. Even if your egg breaks, you can tweak your design and test it again, and again, and again! Please note: Activity available while egg supply lasts. Spark!Lab Smithsonian offers access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if…
Find out more »Upcycled T-shirt Totes
Join us in Spark!Lab Smithsonian to turn an old, worn out t-shirt into versatile tote bag. Bring your own t-shirt, or grab one of ours, and follow the simple instructions to easily transform a tired t-shirt into a tote bag perfect for daily use. Activity presented in partnership with:
Find out more »