Calendar of Events
Past Events › Visiting Scientist
Episodes with Zeb: Shark Eating Goliath
Join Dr. Zeb Hogan, University of Nevada, Reno professor, National Geographic Explorer, and host of Nat Geo WILD’s “Monster Fish” for a narrated screening of the episode entitled “Shark Eating Goliath” from season six of his acclaimed television show. Dr. Hogan will introduce the episode by discussing the location and species being studied. After the episode screening, he will be available to answer questions, sign autographs and take photos. Don’t miss this opportunity to go behind the scenes with the…
Find out more »Episodes with Zeb: Vampire Fish
Join Dr. Zeb Hogan, University of Nevada, Reno professor, National Geographic Explorer, and host of Nat Geo WILD’s Monster Fish for a narrated screening of the episode entitled “Vampire Fish” from season six of his acclaimed television show. Dr. Hogan will introduce the episode by discussing the location and species being studied. After the episode screening, he will be available to answer questions, sign autographs and take photos. Don’t miss this opportunity to go behind the scenes with the scientist himself!
Find out more »Snakes Alive!
Herpetology expert, Dave Boland, is making a return visit to The Discovery. And this time he’s bringing some of his slithery friends. Get up close and personal with a variety of snakes and find out why many species are not really not as threatening as people think. Presented with support from Bill Pearce Motors and the Meyer family.
Find out more »Meet the Scientist: Mark Hausner
Mark Hausner is an Assistant Research Professor with the Desert Research Institute, or DRI. Mark will be visiting The Discovery to share information with museum visitors about his research on Devils Hole pupfish in a very high-profile location here in Nevada. In conjunction with the live pupfish on display as part of the Monster Fish exhibition, Mark will share information about how these fish became endangered and what makes them so unique.
Find out more »Episodes with Zeb: Giant Killer Catfish
Join Dr. Zeb Hogan, University of Nevada, Reno professor, National Geographic Explorer, and host of Nat Geo WILD’s “Monster Fish” for a narrated screening of the episode entitled “Giant Killer Catfish” from season six of his acclaimed television show. Dr. Hogan will introduce the episode by discussing the location and species being studied. After the episode screening, he will be available to answer questions, sign autographs and take photos. Don’t miss this opportunity to go behind the scenes with the scientist…
Find out more »Episodes with Zeb: 400 lb. Super Stinger
Join Dr. Zeb Hogan, University of Nevada, Reno professor, National Geographic Explorer, and host of Nat Geo WILD’s “Monster Fish” for a narrated screening of the episode entitled “400 lb. Super Stinger” from season six of his acclaimed television show. Dr. Hogan will introduce the episode by discussing the location and species being studied. After the episode screening, he will be available to answer questions, sign autographs and take photos. Don’t miss this opportunity to go behind the scenes with the…
Find out more »Explore Molecular Microbiology
Join students from the University of Nevada, Reno College of Science Molecular Microbiology & Immunology program to view the results of a unique project where a variety of cultures were mimicked for study using ordinary soap. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about germs and create your own using Play-Doh.
Find out more »Visiting Scientist: Wild Sheep Foundation
Bighorn sheep live throughout our state, including the mountains that border Reno and Sparks to the east. Representatives from the Wild Sheep Foundation will visit The Discovery to help you learn about this majestic animal and it’s adaptations, and explain the conservation efforts have led Nevada to have more sheep than any other in the U.S. with the exception of Alaska.
Find out more »Visiting Inventor: Dr. William Torch
Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to interact with Dr. William Torch, MD, MS, child and adult neurologist and accomplished inventor. Dr. Torch will share the story of his amazing Eye-Com invention. His passion for the sick and injured spurred the idea for Eye-Com which resulted in an invention that will one day be integrated across techlogical platforms and a variety of industries.
Find out more »National Architecture Day
Do you wish your room was bigger? Do you wish you didn’t have to share a bathroom? What about turning your parents’ bedroom into a KIDS-ONLY water park!? Visit The Shop to try your hand at designing, drawing, and building and discover the world of architecture. This event is part of National Architecture Week, a celebration of architecture in our community organized by the Northern Nevada chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Find out more »Tech!Night
Visit The Discovery on the second Wednesday of every month for Tech!Night, a new program designed to put emerging technology in the hands of museum visitors. Tech!Nights will feature a variety of high-tech tools and techniques, gadgets and games – command a robot, print in 3-D, and even code a new game – happening monthly in Spark!Lab Smithsonian. Visiting Scientist: Joao Paulo Braz For this Tech!Night, Joao Paulo Braz, a Research Assistant in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nevada,…
Find out more »Visiting Scientist: Alan Gubanich
Join Visiting Scientist Alan Gubanich for a look at a variety birds (taxidermy) and bird-related artifacts from around Northern Nevada. Visitors will learn about the habits of these birds and their diets. About Alan Gubanich Alan volunteers with the Lahontan Audubon Society, where he helps to preserve and improve the remaining habitat of birds and other wildlife, restores historical habitat, and educate the public, with emphasis on children, providing vision to all about our unique Nevada environments.
Find out more »Animal Ark Birds of Prey
Join our friends from Animal Ark for an amazing encounter with birds of prey. From beaks to talons and habitat to history, you’ll learn about the incredible features these birds have that allow them to hunt so effectively, even in the harshest environments. Animal Ark is a non-profit organization, wildlife sanctuary and education center. Its mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through wildlife education.
Find out more »Nature Conservancy Photography
In conjunction with the current Spark!Lab Smithsonian sustainability theme, visit the lab to view a showing of photography provided by The Nature Conservancy showcasing the many ways they work to keep the state of Nevada beautiful.
Find out more »Upcycled Artwork
Join our friends from the Nevada Department of Conservation & Natural Resources for a variety of hands-on art projects in Spark!Lab Smithsonian. Create upcycled works of art by re-purposing a variety materials, and more!
Find out more »Amateur (Ham) Radio Day
Join our friends from the Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society to explore the intricacies of amateur radio. Amateur radio, often referred to as “Ham” radio, is the ability to communicate—across the street, around the world, or even with people and satellites in space! Even when the power’s out, and the land lines and cell phones don’t work, with a battery, a radio, and a wire, Ham radio is there. At this event you can: Talk on the radio with other…
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 »Astronomical Society of Nevada
Join our friends from the Astronomical Society of Nevada to view the moon and other planets up close. They’ll be in the museum’s parking lot with a variety of telescopes pointed at the heavens. Stop by to learn about the Society and find out why they are so passionate about looking out into space. Note: The viewing will take place outside The Discovery. Museum admission is not required to participate. About Astronomical Society of Nevada The mission of the Astronomical Society of…
Find out more »Transit of Mercury
Approximately 13 times each century, Mercury passes between the Earth and the Sun aligned so that the disc of the planet can be seen through a telescope crossing the Sun. On November 11, 2019 in Reno, the Sun will rise with the transit already in progress. Join our friends from Tahoe Star Tours to view the transit through computerized Celestron telescopes. The next transit visible from Reno won’t happen until 2049! Note: The viewing will take place outside The Discovery. The…
Find out more »Exploration Station: All About Floods
Join scientists from Nevada Division of Water Resources to explore research and planning related to floodplain modeling and stormwater management. View a floodplain model demonstration, check out a flash flood virtual reality simulation, play a video game called Flood Fighter: Nevada, and learn more about stormwater pollution & flooding.
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 »Visiting Scientists: Envirolution
Join our friends from Envirolution to take part in a variety of hands-on activities related to sustainable energy. You can create your own circuit, electromagnet or shake light, and even generate electricity by peddling a bicycle!
Find out more »Visiting Scientists: Envirolution
Join our friends from Envirolution to take part in a variety of hands-on activities related to sustainable energy. You can create your own circuit, electromagnet or shake light, and even generate electricity by peddling a bicycle!
Find out more »Nevada Floods
Join our friends from State of Nevada Division of Water Resources to experiment with a floodplain model and learn more about how we use infrastructure to align the need for new development with local flood hazards and flood control.
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