Calendar of Events

Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.

Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.

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…

Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.

Visit The Shop for a unique opportunity to create a classic winter snow globe. Combine a mason jar with a variety of items to set your scene and then add water and glitter to create a wonderful snowy scenes that comes to life! Space in each session is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young…

The Discovery will be open 10:00am to 5:00pm on Monday, December 30, 2019 for Washoe County School District’s winter break. Be sure to check out the museum’s calendar of events to find out everything that’s happening at the museum during winter break.

Celebrate the coming of the New Year with a pop-up card you create in The Shop. Using a variety of paper and some careful engineering, you’ll create a greeting card with an object that pops up when the card is opened. 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 Spark!Lab Smithsonian to experiment with the new Prototype Pinball exhibit. Arrange the various bumpers and figure out how long you can keep the marble from reaching the bottom of the game. Your feedback on this exhibit will help us develop the final version that will become a permanent part of the museum’s exhibit collection.

Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to experiment with the new Prototype Pinball exhibit. Arrange the various bumpers and figure out how long you can keep the marble from reaching the bottom of the game. Your feedback on this exhibit will help us develop the final version that will become a permanent part of the museum’s exhibit collection.

Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to experiment with the new Prototype Pinball exhibit. Arrange the various bumpers and figure out how long you can keep the marble from reaching the bottom of the game. Your feedback on this exhibit will help us develop the final version that will become a permanent part of the museum’s exhibit collection.

Visit The Discovery on the second Wednesday of every month for Tech!Night, a program designed to put emerging technology in the hands of museum visitors. Tech!Nights 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.

Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your very own board game. Using available materials, you can invent a board game, write the rules of play, and create the pieces for your game as well. Challenge your friends and family to play your game and then refine your idea based on their feedback!

Every Wednesday beginning at 4:00pm, admission to The Discovery is just $5.00 per visitor! Members and children under age 1 are always free. And best of all, the museum stays open until 8:00pm!

Be inspired by the creativity and innovation of Muppets creator Jim Henson when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own hand puppet. Using available materials, you can create a unique character all your own and learn about how The Muppets went from idea to hit television sensation.

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…

Visit The Discovery on the second Wednesday of every month for Tech!Night, a program designed to put emerging technology in the hands of museum visitors. Tech!Nights 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.

Experiment with propulsion when you design and build your own balloon rocket in the The Shop. Combine a variety of new and recycled materials with an ordinary balloon to create a rocket powered by air. 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.