Calendar of Events

The future of robotics is promising. But what can robots do to help humans in our daily lives? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a robot using a variety of craft supplies and recycled materials that can aid in daily tasks. 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.

To accompany the opening of the 2026 Olympics spark!lab will have shaping shoes. an activity that focuses on the functionality of shoes and recognizing them as an invention. Using a cardboard shoe base, tape, ribbon and other decorative materials visitors can make a shoe that is brand new, or create a new design prototype while focusing on what its function will be. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged…

Get prepared for Valentine’s Day the Discovery way. Visitors can create their own stuffed hearts using colorful fabrics, soft poly-fil, and sewing supplies. This activity is a delightful and fun way to learn basic sewing skills and take home a handmade, heart-shaped treasure. 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.

To accompany the opening of the 2026 Olympics spark!lab will have shaping shoes. an activity that focuses on the functionality of shoes and recognizing them as an invention. Using a cardboard shoe base, tape, ribbon and other decorative materials visitors can make a shoe that is brand new, or create a new design prototype while focusing on what its function will be. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged…

Get prepared for Valentine’s Day the Discovery way. Visitors can create their own stuffed hearts using colorful fabrics, soft poly-fil, and sewing supplies. This activity is a delightful and fun way to learn basic sewing skills and take home a handmade, heart-shaped treasure. 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.

Step into the spirit of the Winter Olympics with a hands-on STEM celebration for all ages! Design your own athletic gear, test how high you can jump, and race bobsleds while exploring the science behind speed and materials. From engineering footwear to experimenting with friction and force, this action-packed program invites visitors to think like athletes, designers, and engineers

To accompany the opening of the 2026 Olympics spark!lab will have shaping shoes. an activity that focuses on the functionality of shoes and recognizing them as an invention. Using a cardboard shoe base, tape, ribbon and other decorative materials visitors can make a shoe that is brand new, or create a new design prototype while focusing on what its function will be. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged…

Get prepared for Valentine’s Day the Discovery way. Visitors can create their own stuffed hearts using colorful fabrics, soft poly-fil, and sewing supplies. This activity is a delightful and fun way to learn basic sewing skills and take home a handmade, heart-shaped treasure. 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.

Step into the spirit of the Winter Olympics with a hands-on STEM celebration for all ages! Design your own athletic gear, test how high you can jump, and race bobsleds while exploring the science behind speed and materials. From engineering footwear to experimenting with friction and force, this action-packed program invites visitors to think like athletes, designers, and engineers

Invention is a process! You’re invited to visit The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to explore the steps in the invention process including think it, sketch it, create it, tweak it, and sell it. Visit a station for each step in the process and who knows, you might just invent something new! Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Visit The Shop to craft in celebration of Lunar New Year (Tuesday, February 17, 2026). Visitors will be supplied materials for simple circuitry to power LED lights. As we design our lanterns, we will think about embracing courage, balance, and new and exciting opportunities for this next year. 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.

Invention is a process! You’re invited to visit The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to explore the steps in the invention process including think it, sketch it, create it, tweak it, and sell it. Visit a station for each step in the process and who knows, you might just invent something new! Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Visit The Shop to craft in celebration of Lunar New Year (Tuesday, February 17, 2026). Using a variety of materials, you can create a lantern that includes simple circuity to power an LED, embracing courage, balance, and new and exciting opportunities for this next year. 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…

Invention is a process! You’re invited to visit The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to explore the steps in the invention process including think it, sketch it, create it, tweak it, and sell it. Visit a station for each step in the process and who knows, you might just invent something new! Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Visit The Shop to craft in celebration of Lunar New Year (Tuesday, February 17, 2026). Using a variety of materials, you can create a lantern that includes simple circuity to power an LED, embracing courage, balance, and new and exciting opportunities for this next year. 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…

Invention is a process! You’re invited to visit The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to explore the steps in the invention process including think it, sketch it, create it, tweak it, and sell it. Visit a station for each step in the process and who knows, you might just invent something new! Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Dr. Gladys B. West (Oct. 27, 1930 – January 17, 2026) was a Black American mathematician. She is known for her pivotal contributions to mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth, and her pioneering work was incorporated into the Global Positioning System (GPS). In this hands-on activity in The Shop, you’ll get creative with cartography. Using a variety of materials, you can construct 2D or 3D maps that represent terrain elevations. Through this activity, you’ll learn about topography, scale,…

Invention is a process! You’re invited to visit The Discovery’s Spark!Lab Smithsonian to explore the steps in the invention process including think it, sketch it, create it, tweak it, and sell it. Visit a station for each step in the process and who knows, you might just invent something new! Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Dr. Gladys B. West (Oct. 27, 1930 – January 17, 2026) was a Black American mathematician. She is known for her pivotal contributions to mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth, and her pioneering work was incorporated into the Global Positioning System (GPS). In The Shop, visitors can anticipate a creative and educational experience in cartography. They will construct 2D or 3D maps that represent terrain elevations, using a variety of materials. Through this activity, participants will learn about topography,…

Develop or refine your carpentry skills when you build a custom photo frame in The Shop. using a variety of tools and materials, you’ll create a frame perfect for your favorite photograph. Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift! 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.

Visitors will be given a half sheet with a colorable superhero on it. They can color it and design the costume, create a backstory, and write down the powers their superhero would have. 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.

Develop or refine your carpentry skills when you build a custom photo frame in The Shop. using a variety of tools and materials, you’ll create a frame perfect for your favorite photograph. Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift! 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.

Develop or refine your carpentry skills when you build a custom photo frame in The Shop. using a variety of tools and materials, you’ll create a frame perfect for your favorite photograph. Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift! 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.

Ynes Mexia (May 24, 1870 – July 12, 1938) was a Mexican-American botanical collector and explorer. She is known for her vast collection of novel specimens of plants and flora, obtained by more than a decade of solo field expeditions in the Americas. Visit The Shop to make your own pocket field notebook, a tool in science for collecting scientific observations. After personalizing your Discovery Field Journal, head over to our Energy exhibit to complete a fun exercise in plant identification. Please…