Calendar of Events

Calling all Minecraft fans! Head to The Shop to build your own sculptural tribute to your favorite character or NPC. Using simple wooden blocks and a healthy amount of glue, you can build and color your favorite character or artifact from the ever-popular game originally created by Mojang Studios in 2011. 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…

From Memorial Day, May 27 though Labor Day, September 2, 2024, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!

Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am. Presented with support from:  

Every Wednesday, beginning at 4:00pm, museum admission is just $5 per person! And best of all, the museum stays open until 8:00pm so there’s plenty of time to explore! Members and children under age 1 are always free.

Keep your literary collection organized and carefully displayed with bookends you make in The Shop. Using real tools and a selection of wood and craft supplies, you can build bookends to keep your books in perfect, standing order. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

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.

Join our partners from SPCA of Northern Nevada to learn how pets can help support your mental health, and meet a selection of adorable dogs and cats available for adoption. This program is offered in conjunction with Mental Health: Mind Matters, The Discovery’s current featured exhibition. SPCA of Northern Nevada believes in an open, conversation-based adoption process that carefully matches the lifestyle and expectations of adopters with the personalities and needs of our homeless pets. This approach gives adopted pets…

Keep your literary collection organized and carefully displayed with bookends you make in The Shop. Using real tools and a selection of wood and craft supplies, you can build bookends to keep your books in perfect, standing order. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

Keep your literary collection organized and carefully displayed with bookends you make in The Shop. Using real tools and a selection of wood and craft supplies, you can build bookends to keep your book in perfect, standing order. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.

From Memorial Day, May 27 though Labor Day, September 2, 2024, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!

Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am. Presented with support from:  

Every Wednesday, beginning at 4:00pm, museum admission is just $5 per person! And best of all, the museum stays open until 8:00pm so there’s plenty of time to explore! Members and children under age 1 are always free.

Dogs are easy to train. Bugs are not. Except for this cute little fella. He always does what you tell him. But can you program him to navigate an obstacle course or perform a specific action? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to find out if you have what it takes to code a bug!

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…

Dogs are easy to train. Bugs are not. Except for this cute little fella. He always does what you tell him. But can you program him to navigate an obstacle course or perform a specific action? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to find out if you have what it takes to code a bug!

Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am. Presented with support from:  

Every Wednesday, beginning at 4:00pm, museum admission is just $5 per person! And best of all, the museum stays open until 8:00pm so there’s plenty of time to explore! Members and children under age 1 are always free.

3D printing technology is changing the fields of design and manufacturing at a rapid rate. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to witness the layer-by-layer creation of various objects, learn about the materials and technologies involved, and understand the applications and implications of 3D printing across industries like healthcare, engineering, and art.

3D printing technology is changing the fields of design and manufacturing at a rapid rate. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to witness the layer-by-layer creation of various objects, learn about the materials and technologies involved, and understand the applications and implications of 3D printing across industries like healthcare, engineering, and art.

Join us in The Shop to combine creativity and technology when you design your own custom video game controller. Using a variety of materials and a Makey Makey board, you can design and test a controller you can actually use to play games on your favorite console. 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…

Drive in, sit back, and get ready to watch a scientific film on the BIG screen! Join DRI, The Discovery and PBS Reno for the second annual Drive-in for Science, your chance to watch an amazing science documentary at the nostalgic El Rancho Drive-in in Sparks. Don’t forget the popcorn and Red Vines! Location: West Wind El Rancho Drive-In Theater, 555 El Rancho Drive, Sparks Times: Gate opens at 7:00pm, film begins at 7:30pm

Join us in The Shop to combine creativity and technology when you design your own custom video game controller. Using a variety of materials and a Makey Makey board, you can design and test a controller you can actually use to play games on your favorite console. 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…

Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am. Presented with support from:  

Every Wednesday, beginning at 4:00pm, museum admission is just $5 per person! And best of all, the museum stays open until 8:00pm so there’s plenty of time to explore! Members and children under age 1 are always free.