Past Events › Special Event
Social Science: Sound Check
Whether an ear-shattering guitar solo or a tear-jerking ballad is your jam, this Social Science is your opportunity to explore the science of sound. Invent your own musical instrument, play a one-of-a-kind light-up drum kit, make Oobleck dance to the beat, enjoy live musical performances, and so much more! Labs, lectures and programming for this Social Science will include: The Big Music Quiz Join a team and put your collective music knowledge to the test in a battle of audiophiles.…
Find out more »
Kickstart College Savings
Did you know that beginning in 2014, all Nevada children enrolled in a public kindergarten receive $50 to begin saving for college expenses? It’s called the Nevada College Kickstart Program, and all you need to do to claim your child’s account is register. Tracy Sherwood, Financial Wellness Navigator for the Washoe Country School District (WCSD), will be on hand to assist families with their student’s College KickStart accounts.
Find out more »
Tour the Stars
Dating all the way back to our time as hunter-gathers, humans have pondered their existence within the Cosmos. Join our friends from Tahoe Star Tours for a discussion of our place in Universe and then gaze at the night sky through powerful telescopes and formulate your own theories about whether we’re alone amongst the stars. Note: This event begins at the Downtown Reno Library (301 S. Center Street) at 8:30pm. Stargazing will take place in The Discovery’s parking lot beginning…
Find out more »
Apollo 11 Moon Landing 50th Anniversary
On July 20, 1969, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) successfully landed two astronauts on the surface of the moon. From the moon’s surface, astronaut Neil Armstrong deemed the feat, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” The Discovery invites you to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with a variety of space-themed labs and activities throughout the museum all day. Learn about the science that helped humans travel to the moon,…
Find out more »
Museum Store Back-2-School Sale
Gear up for the upcoming school year with the huge selection of science toys, books, gadgets and games in the Museum Store. From August 5 through August 11, members and WCSD educators receive 20% off their entire purchase. Nonmembers receive a 10% discount. Note: Valid on Museum Store merchandise only. May not be combined with any other discount or offer. Not valid on gift cards, memberships, museum admission or special event tickets. Your purchase in the Museum Store supports The…
Find out more »
Museum Night at Reno Aces
Join the The Discovery, the Nevada Museum of Art, and other local museums for a special night with the Reno Aces Baseball Club at Greater Nevada Field. The Aces will be taking on the Sacramento River Cats, and The Discovery will be there with hands-on activities and giveaways. We hope you’ll join us!
Find out more »
Educator Appreciation Day 2019
Educators are invited to a free day at The Discovery on Saturday, September 14, 2019. Explore the entire museum including new exhibitions Mindbender Mansion and Sun, Earth, Universe. Open to everyone in the education field, you’ll discover innovative, engaging, standards-aligned ways to bring STEAM subjects into your classroom and learn more about the museum’s 2019/20 school field trip program. The first 100 attendees will receive a generous goodie bag—our thanks for your partnership in education!
Find out more »
Social Science: Sci-Fi Strikes Back
Use the force, blast into hyperspace, phone home and get beamed up during an evening of intergalactic exploration inspired by a galaxy far, far away. Get ready to get hands-on with the science that makes the fiction fantastic. Sci-fi soundtrack provided by StaxOfWax of the Thermites. Labs, lectures and programming for this Social Science will include: Saber Jousting Use the force of science to knock your opponent off their perch in this classic sci-fi duel. Felt Heroes and Heroines Get…
Find out more »
Yelpstronomy 5.0: Eat. Drink. Explore.
Eat, drink and explore an array of mind-bendingly magical and mysterious food and drink from the best local businesses around at Yelpstronomy 5.0, benefitting The Discovery! Your suggested donation helps support the museum’s mission to inspire by being the place to experience science. Engage, learn and interact with our community’s top experts in our interactive labs, wander the museum and sample food and drink that will force you to rethink what you already know, and party the night away with…
Find out more »
Free Flu Vaccine Clinic
Make your family’s annual flu vaccinations a fun event at The Discovery! Flu vaccines will be available at low or no-cost for children and adults who qualify. Flu vaccines will be administered by Washoe County Health District on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last. If you have health insurance, Medicaid, or Nevada Checkup, please have your insurance card with you. All children who get a flu shot, and one adult per family, will be given free admission…
Find out more »
9th Annual Halloween Trick or Treat
Head to The Discovery for a hauntingly good time at the 9th 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 of the friendly or scary ghosts, ghouls and goblins who dare to attend. Note: For the safety of all visitors, costumes with weapons of any kind are not allowed. Teal Pumpkin Project The Discovery’s annual Halloween Trick or Treat event takes part in…
Find out more »
Chemistry of the Cocktail
Join us for the 8th annual Chemistry of the Cocktail — The Discovery’s premier fundraising event. Come as a flapper, gangster, silent film star, or come as you are and explore 1920s-style libations, enjoy delectable fare from local culinary purveyors, and provide support for the museum’s mission in our community. Proceeds from this event support The Discovery’s efforts to offer enriching educational programs and host engaging exhibitions focused on science, technology, engineering, art and math. Classic Cocktails Sample expertly crafted…
Find out more »
Karl Koppertop Performance
As part of the 6th annual SPELLBINDERS Festival of Magic, Education Renaissance of Nevada Initiative (ERNI) brings Karl Koppertop to The Discovery. Koppertop performs internationally and has appeared on The Pete Holmes Show and his ideas have been featured on America’s Got Talent and Penn & Teller’s “Fool Us.” Experience the wonder of a live performance and watch as your children take a break from technology and react to real-life brain bending close-up miracles. Note: Seating for this special performance…
Find out more »
Museum Store Holiday Sale
Skip the Black Friday madness and make plans to shop the Museum Store holiday sale at The Discovery where you’ll find Reno’s best selection of the smartest toys, games, gadgets, apparel, puzzles, science kits, and more! 30% off everything in the Museum Store from 7:00am to Noon 20% off everything in the Museum Store from Noon to 5:00pm Holiday sale discounts available to museum members and nonmembers. Valid on Museum Store merchandise only. Excludes clearance items. May not be combined…
Find out more »
Museums on Us – Holiday Edition
With Bank of America’s Museums on Us program, cardholders can enjoy their favorite museums for free on the first full weekend of every month. But this December, we’re celebrating with six additional days of cardholder admission, December 26th through 31st. Find out more here. To qualify, simply present your active Bank of America®, Merrill Lynch® or U.S. Trust® credit or debit card along with a photo ID to receive one free general admission to The Discovery. Cardholders only; guests are…
Find out more »
Museums on Us – Holiday Edition
With Bank of America’s Museums on Us program, cardholders can enjoy their favorite museums for free on the first full weekend of every month. But this December, we’re celebrating with six additional days of cardholder admission, December 26th through 31st. Find out more here. To qualify, simply present your active Bank of America®, Merrill Lynch® or U.S. Trust® credit or debit card along with a photo ID to receive one free general admission to The Discovery. Cardholders only; guests are…
Find out more »
Social Science: Face Your Fears
Face your fears and tackle your phobias head-on during an evening of some of the scariest science. Whether your fear is clowns, bugs, electric shock, needles, or just the fear of fear itself, prepare to explore the science of scary. Labs, lectures and experiences at this Social Science will include: Why are you scared? Join Cindy Lancaster Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno assistant professor of clinical psychology, for an eye-opening presentation that will teach you three strategies to help you conquer…
Find out more »
LEGO® BattleBots
Ready to engage in battle? Register for this class and you’ll learn how to build the ultimate BattleBot using using LEGO® Mindstorm robotics. Then, test your bot’s capabilities when you pit it against your fellow participants in a head-to-head, sumo-style battle. Your objective? Push your competitors’ bot out of the ring to declare victory! Register today for one of two age groups. Age Group Time Member Nonmember Remaining Register Ages 5-8* 10:00 – 11:30am $25 $30 0 spots Ages 9-12…
Find out more »
LEGO® BattleBots
Ready to engage in battle? Register for this class and you’ll learn how to build the ultimate BattleBot using using LEGO® Mindstorm robotics. Then, test your bot’s capabilities when you pit it against your fellow participants in a head-to-head, sumo-style battle. Your objective? Push your competitors’ bot out of the ring to declare victory! Register today for one of two age groups. Age Group Time Member Nonmember Remaining Register Ages 5-8* 10:00 – 11:30am $25 $30 0 spots Ages 9-12…
Find out more »
CANCELED: 8th Annual Leprechaun Race
Update: On the recommendation of City of Reno and Washoe County Health District, this year’s Leprechaun Race has been canceled. Please refer to Race178’s website for details. Can you outrun a leprechaun? Find out at the 8th Annual Leprechaun Race on Sunday, March 15, 2020. 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…
Find out more »
Members-only Reopening
We are pleased to announce that The Discovery will reopen to members-only on Saturday and Sunday, July 4-5. We are excited to welcome you back to the museum and want to make you aware of some of the changes you can expect as we reopen. The Discovery is currently in Stage I of the museum’s COVID-19 Response Plan and reopening. Here is how that will affect your visit: The Discovery is open Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00am – 8:00pm for general admission. The museum is open…
Find out more »
Museum Open
We are pleased to announce that The Discovery has reopened to the public 10:00am – 8:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. We are excited to welcome you back to the museum and want to make you aware of some of the changes you can expect as we reopen. The Discovery is currently in Stage I of the museum’s COVID-19 Response Plan and reopening. Here is how that will affect your visit: The Discovery is open Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00am – 8:00pm for general admission. The museum…
Find out more »
Museum Open
We are pleased to announce that The Discovery has reopened to the public 10:00am – 5:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays. We are excited to welcome you back to the museum and want to make you aware of some of the changes you can expect as we reopen. The Discovery is currently in Stage I of the museum’s COVID-19 Response Plan and reopening. Here is how that will affect your visit: The Discovery is open Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00am – 5:00pm for general admission. The museum…
Find out more »
Free Flu Vaccine Clinic
All online appointments for this clinic are full. Please call Immunize Nevada at 775-624-7117 to schedule an appointment. Make your family’s annual flu vaccinations a fun event at The Discovery! Flu vaccines will be available at low or no-cost for children and adults who qualify. Flu vaccines will be administered by Washoe County Health District and Walmart on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last. Visit booking.appointy.com/immunizenevada to make your reservation.* You can also schedule an appointment by calling…
Find out more »