Calendar of Events

Join us to build your own insect and bee hotel! Perfect for nature enthusiast. This hands-on activity helps support local ecosystems. Create a cozy habitat for beneficial insects while learning about their vital role in our environment.* 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.

Drive in, sit back, and enjoy a science blockbuster on the BIG screen. At this Science Distilled event, explore the groundbreaking work of dedicated fishers, aqua farmers, and scientists who are attempting what was once thought impossible: harvesting aquatic species to feed our growing planet while also saving our oceans. Location: West Wind El Rancho Drive-In Theater, 555 El Rancho Drive, Sparks Times: Gate opens at 7:30pm, film begins at 8:00pm

Join us to build your own insect and bee hotel! Perfect for nature enthusiast. This hands-on activity helps support local ecosystems. Create a cozy habitat for beneficial insects while learning about their vital role in our environment.* 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.

Humans have long endeavored to travel among the stars. To do so, we need innovative spaceships that go farther and faster than ever before. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a spacecraft using recycled materials, considering things like how it will be powered, where it will travel, who will be at the controls, and other important aspects of the mission. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors…

Visit The Shop to create the perfect decoration for spring. Using hammers and nails, you can create a spring-inspired shape to trace with yarn. Best of all, what you make is yours to take home! 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 space.

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.”

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.”

Humans have long endeavored to travel among the stars. To do so, we need innovative spaceships that go farther and faster than ever before. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a spacecraft using recycled materials, considering things like how it will be powered, where it will travel, who will be at the controls, and other important aspects of the mission. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to…

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a greeting card that glows! Visit The Shop to use a variety of available materials along with a battery, LED and copper circuitry to create a card that shines like the mothers in your life. 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 space.

Humans have long endeavored to travel among the stars. To do so, we need innovative spaceships that go farther and faster than ever before. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a spacecraft using recycled materials, considering things like how it will be powered, where it will travel, who will be at the controls, and other important aspects of the mission. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to…

Flowers make a heartfelt gift for that special someone. Join us to explore the art and science of flower arrangement in this hands-on STEM Lab. In this lab, participants will learn the technical aspects of flower arranging and also explore the symbology of certain flowers and what their placement within the arrangement means. Best of all, what you create will make the perfect Mother’s Day gift!

Humans have long endeavored to travel among the stars. To do so, we need innovative spaceships that go farther and faster than ever before. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a spacecraft using recycled materials, considering things like how it will be powered, where it will travel, who will be at the controls, and other important aspects of the mission. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to…

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a greeting card that glows! Visit The Shop to use a variety of available materials along with a battery, LED and copper circuitry to create a card that shines like the mothers in your life. 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 space.

Visit The Shop to create your own mini Nevada, full of natural wildlife and flora. Using clay and other materials, visitors design their own ecologically accurate diorama. 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 space.

Visit The Shop to create your own mini Nevada, full of natural wildlife and flora. Using clay and other materials, visitors design their own ecologically accurate diorama. 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 space.

Join us in celebrating Nevada’s scientific heritage when you visit The Shop to learn about Nevada’s state fossil, the Ichthyosaur. With the help of the museum’s educators, you’ll use available materials to design and fill your own plush Ichthyosaur. 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 practice the safe use of the tools and…

The Discovery is excited to partner with the University of Nevada, Reno to celebrate the end of an exciting First Nevada Robotics season! At this free event, attendees will have the opportunity to tour the K-12 Robotics Center (Southside School Building) and connect with other community STEM groups! There will also be demos, giveaways, and snacks. No pre-registration is necessary.

Join us in celebrating Nevada’s scientific heritage when you visit The Shop to learn about Nevada’s state fossil, the Ichthyosaur. With the help of the museum’s educators, you’ll use available materials to design and fill your own plush Ichthyosaur. 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 practice the safe use of the tools and…

Join us in celebrating Nevada’s scientific heritage when you visit The Shop to learn about Nevada’s state fossil, the Ichthyosaur. With the help of the museum’s educators, you’ll use available materials to design and fill your own plush Ichthyosaur. 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 practice the safe use of the tools and…

From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, 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!

In Reno, there’s usually a-wind-a-blowin’. Using a multitude of materials available in The Shop , you can now harness the wild western winds! Construct, decorate, and release your creation on the Washoe Zephyr. What you make 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 practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.

The Discovery is pleased to welcome you to an exclusive, members-only opportunity to see Above and Beyond — The Ultimate Interactive Flight Exhibition. Through immersive simulations, interactive design challenges, iconic historical touchstones, visionary concepts for the future, and inspiring stories from aviation innovators, past and present, this exciting exhibition celebrates the power of innovation to make dreams take flight. Registration Required Please pre-register to attend the members-only preview. Once admitted, members are welcome to explore Above and Beyond and the…

Get ready to take to the skies in this exciting STEM Lab designed for future female aviators! Through a variety of hands-on activities, this intensive STEM Lab will help young aviators spread their wings and explore the future of aviation and space travel. Cook up some galaxy popcorn, concoct a batch of galaxy slime, launch a balloon rocket, build a space shelter, and much, much more! The sky is the limit in this STEM Lab designed specifically for girls!

The Discovery is pleased to welcome you to Above and Beyond — The Ultimate Interactive Flight Exhibition, our newest featured exhibition. Above & Beyond is designed to ignite a passion for humankind’s greatest adventure: our journey of flight in the air and space. In doing so, it honors past innovations in flight, while looking ahead to what’s next and demonstrating the impact of aerospace breakthroughs in our everyday lives. Through immersive simulations, interactive design challenges, iconic historical touchstones, visionary concepts…