Calendar of Events

Two robots enter the arena, but only one will be victorious! Register for the Balloon Buster Blitz and you’ll have the chance to build and code an autonomous robot using LEGO® Mindstorms. The ultimate goal? Have your robot pop as many balloons as possible before your opponent gets to them first. Please note: Advance registration is required.

The game begins in 3, 2, 1… Challenge yourself and your friends in a fun-filled series of science-based challenges to see who will be crowned the winner. Test your skills in challenges like separation anxiety, mending fences, science smarts, trivia ultima, and ping-pong tic tac toe to find out who will reign supreme! Labs, lectures and experiences at this Social Science will include: Ping Tac Toe Put your eye-hand coordination to the test in a battle for glory in this…

The Discovery is pleased to welcome you to Mindbender Mansion, our newest featured exhibition. This large-scale, eclectic and quirky exhibition, full of brainteasers and interactive challenges, is guaranteed to test the brain power and problem solving skills of even the most experienced puzzlers. Adults, families, and children alike will enjoy exercising their minds as they try to master each of the 40 individual brainteasers and the 4 group activities in this fun and unconventional mansion! Gather secret clues and passwords…

The Discovery is pleased to welcome you to Mindbender Mansion, our newest featured exhibition. This large-scale, eclectic and quirky exhibition, full of brainteasers and interactive challenges, is guaranteed to test the brain power and problem solving skills of even the most experienced puzzlers. Adults, families, and children alike will enjoy exercising their minds as they try to master each of the 40 individual brainteasers and the 4 group activities in this fun and unconventional mansion! Gather secret clues and passwords…

Tour the stars in The Discovery’s portable planetarium! Join a member of the museum’s education team for guided shows featuring solar exploration, a journey to Mars, and an a look at how scientists use infrared light. Shows are first come, first served. Showtimes: 11:00am, 11:30am, 12:00pm, 12:30pm, 1:00pm, 4:30pm, 5:00pm, 5:30pm, 6:00pm and 6:30pm. Tickets: Sign up upon arrival at the museum. Capacity is limited to 35 people per show.

Get ready for a hauntingly good time at The Discovery’s 13th annual Halloween Trick or Treat. Visit the museum in costume and trick-or-treat from gallery to gallery. There’ll be spooky decorations and delicious treats for all the friendly or scary ghosts, ghouls and goblins who dare to attend. Advance tickets are suggested, but not required. A note about costumes: For the safety of all visitors, costumes with weapons of any kind are not allowed.     

The Discovery will be closed to the public on Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8, 2024 to prepare for Chemistry of the Cocktail, the museum’s annual fundraising event. The museum will reopen at 10:00am and resume normal operating hours on Saturday, November 9, 2024.

The Discovery will be closed to the public on Thursday, November 7 and Friday, November 8, 2024 to prepare for Chemistry of the Cocktail, the museum’s annual fundraising event. The museum will reopen at 10:00am and resume normal operating hours on Saturday, November 9, 2024.

12th Annual Fun-kadelic Fundraising Event Boogie on down to The Discovery for Chemistry of the Cocktail, the museum’s 12th annual super-cool fundraising event that explores the science of mixology. Find out what’s crackin’ with disco-inspired libations, enjoy groovy fare created by the experts at Blend, and take part in outta sight hands-on activities designed to convey you back to the fun and funky 1970s era—all while providing crucial financial support for The Discovery. Can you dig it?

Save BIG in the Museum Store at The Discovery on Black Friday. You’ll find the largest selection of the smartest toys, gadgets, games, apparel, puzzles, science kits, and a whole lot more!

Our community’s investment in The Discovery has brought us to where we are today. With your continued support, The Discovery will remain a valued community asset for generations to come. This Giving Tuesday we hope you’ll take the opportunity to show your support for The Discovery. Your gift provides the financial support the museum needs to create new, engaging hands-on experiences and host world-class science exhibitions for people of all ages and interests. The Discovery is a locally founded, 501(c)3 nonprofit…

Join our friends from Nevada Math in The Discovery’s Microsoft STEM Lab and use math to build and scale the buildings in a festive winter village. Using multiplication and division, participants will work in groups to design and build buildings in various scales. Once the buildings in the village are complete, participants will decorate them using a variety of craft supplies. Who says math isn’t fun? About Nevada Math Our mission is to create the culture and provide the opportunities…

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule found inside cells that carries the genetic information needed for an organism to develop and function, essentially acting as the “blueprint” for life. In this hands-on activity in The Discovery’s Microsoft STEM Lab, participants will explore DNA from protein folding to strawberry DNA extraction, learning what DNA is, how it works, and why it is so important.

Wands at the ready? Alohomora! Prepare to explore science inspired by the wizarding world. Create a custom wand, formulate a magic potion, find the golden snitch, play Sonorus Bingo, and a whole lot more. Fear not, Muggles are welcome to attend this Harry Potter inspired event as well. Labs, lectures and experiences at this Social Science will include: Wands at the Ready! Put your magical powers to work when you create a custom wand you can use to cast spells…

Get under the hood at The Discovery! Motor on down to The Discovery for a day filled with hands-on automotive themed activities for car enthusiasts of every age. Join experts from NAPA AutoCare Centers to explore the inner workings of automobiles and the systems that make them go, turn and stop. Here are some of the exciting things happening on this special day:

Can you outrun a leprechaun? Find out at the 13th Annual Leprechaun Race on Sunday, March 16, 2025. This family-friendly 5K run/walk starts and finishes at The Discovery and will take you on a tour through the streets of the Midtown and Wells Avenue neighborhoods. Don’t despair if the leprechaun beats you to the finish. For every runner, jogger or walker the leprechaun passes, the pot of gold grows in size. Who will benefit from the increased pot of gold?……

Join our friends from 4-H Youth Development for a hands-on activities that will grow on you! In this hands-on activity in The Discovery’s Microsoft STEM Lab, participants will blend recycled paper into a pulp, mix in seeds, spread the mixture thinly, and dry it into sheets, which can then be planted to grow flowers or other plants, just in time for the spring planting season! Preregistration is required.

The Force is strong with you! Celebrate Star Wars Day at The Discovery when you explore a variety of activities inspired by the famed movie franchise. As the ageless and wise Yoda once said, “Do. Or do not. There is no try.” Build a Lightsaber Win the battle against the dark side using a miniature lightsaber you build yourself in The Shop. Using a variety of materials and a finger light, you can create a miniature version of the classic…

Coordinated by the University of Nevada, Reno Aerospace & Defense Academy and AHA Projects, the inaugural SciVenture Science Fair will showcase innovative projects by young talent in Northern Nevada. Reno’s long-standing tradition of an annual science fair was held at UNR, but during the COVID-19 pandemic the fair was lost. Now, with the passion of two students from neighborhood High Schools, Reno is bringing back the Science Fair—stronger than ever. SciVenture is more than a science competition—it’s an opportunity for…

Celebrate the power of femininity at Social Science. Take a self defense class, design a mini terrarium, experience a psychic reading with Ms. Vivian, gain a renewed vision of the cosmos with Dr. Solange Massa, and more! This event is open to everyone, regardless of their gender or gender identity. Labs, lectures and experiences at this Social Science will include: Think You Know Sex? Think you know enough about sex? Put your knowledge to the test when you and some…

The Force is strong with you! Celebrate Star Wars Day at The Discovery when you explore a variety of activities inspired by the famed movie franchise. As the ageless and wise Yoda once said, “Do. Or do not. There is no try.” Build a Lightsaber Win the battle against the dark side using a miniature lightsaber you build yourself in The Shop. Using a variety of materials and a finger light, you can create a miniature version of the classic…

The Discovery is pleased to welcome you to Super Human: Power of Technology, our newest featured exhibition. This exciting new experience explores the innovative medical and industrial breakthroughs that have helped humans change the world. With a mix of hands-on and full body experiences, Super Human focuses on technology that takes its inspiration from the natural world, helping humans overcome a variety of challenges and enhance their lives. Super Human will be on exhibit through Sunday, October 12, 2025. Entrance…

The Discovery is pleased to welcome you to Super Human: Power of Technology, our newest featured exhibition. This exciting new experience explores the innovative medical and industrial breakthroughs that have helped humans change the world. With a mix of hands-on and full body experiences, Super Human focuses on technology that takes its inspiration from the natural world, helping humans overcome a variety of challenges and enhance their lives. Super Human will be on exhibit through Sunday, October 12, 2025. Entrance…

Enjoy delicious fare from any of Local Food Group’s seven restaurants in Reno, Sparks, Carson City and Gardnerville on Thursday, May 22, 2025 and support The Discovery at the same time. On this special day, Local Food Group is donating a portion of the proceeds from all food and drink sales to The Discovery in support of the museum’s mission to inspire by being the place to experience science. Click the logos below to learn more about Local Food Group’s collection…