Calendar of Events

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

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…

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.

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:  

Young discoverers will be asked to create geometric shapes and patterns using rubber bands on a pegboard, enhancing spatial awareness and creativity. Please note: This activity is offered as part of The Discovery’s Small Wonder Wednesday program and is limited to attendees ages 5 and under.

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.

Prepare for lift-off when you build a rocket using the provided template and then test your rocket’s flight capabilities using the museum’s air launcher to send your spacecraft soaring! Note: This activity is designed for all ages. Younger rocket builders may require assistance from an adult/caregiver. Multiple attempts to successfully build and launch a rocket are encouraged.

Join our friends from the University of Nevada, Reno to experiment with robot facial expressions. Facial expressions can be critical in day-to-day communication, but many traditional robot faces lack expressiveness and flexibility. Through a simple and fun art activity, participants in grades kindergarten through 5th can help researchers learn how to design robot faces that are more trustworthy. Study conducted by the University of Nevada, Reno, National AI Institute for Exceptional Education and the Socially Assistive Robotics Group.  

Prepare for lift-off when you build a rocket using the provided template and then test your rocket’s flight capabilities using the museum’s air launcher to send your spacecraft soaring! Note: This activity is designed for all ages. Younger rocket builders may require assistance from an adult/caregiver. Multiple attempts to successfully build and launch a rocket are encouraged.

Join us in The Shop and make your stylish tote from previously used fabric! This hands-on activity lets you design and assemble a unique, eco-friendly tote you can use to carry books, toys, and nearly anything else. Unleash your creativity and leave with a stylish and functional accessory. 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…

Join our friends from the University of Nevada, Reno to experiment with robot facial expressions. Facial expressions can be critical in day-to-day communication, but many traditional robot faces lack expressiveness and flexibility. Through a simple and fun art activity, participants in grades kindergarten through 5th can help researchers learn how to design robot faces that are more trustworthy. Study conducted by the University of Nevada, Reno, National AI Institute for Exceptional Education and the Socially Assistive Robotics Group.  

Join us in The Shop and make your stylish tote from previously used fabric! This hands-on activity lets you design and assemble a unique, eco-friendly tote you can use to carry books, toys, and nearly anything else. Unleash your creativity and leave with a stylish and functional accessory. 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…

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.

Hands-on gets serious in The Shop! In this material-specific session of Open Build, you’ll use real tools to build nearly anything you can imagine out of cardboard. Best of all, what you create is yours to keep! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers use the tools and materials safely in this space.