Calendar of Events

Join us for the 8th annual Chemistry of the Cocktail — The Discovery’s premier fundraising event. Come as a flapper, gangster, silent film star, or come as you are and explore 1920s-style libations, enjoy delectable fare from local culinary purveyors, and provide support for the museum’s mission in our community. Proceeds from this event support The Discovery’s efforts to offer enriching educational programs and host engaging exhibitions focused on science, technology, engineering, art and math. Classic Cocktails Sample expertly crafted…

Traverse the Moon’s surface with a lunar lander you design and build in The Shop. Using a variety of materials and a motor and counterweight, create a motorized contraption that will move on its own as if conducting an automated lunar mission. 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.

Combine a mason jar with a variety of fall-inspired elements to create a luminaire that will provide a warm glow on chilly fall evenings with the help of a battery powered tealight. Join us for these educator-led, 45 minute workshops in The Shop. 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…

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…

Combine a mason jar with a variety of fall-inspired elements to create a luminaire that will provide a warm glow on chilly fall evenings with the help of a battery powered tealight. Join us for these educator-led, 45 minute workshops in The Shop. 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…

Harness the power of the wind when you visit The Shop to design and build your own sail car. Using a variety of materials, you can create a vehicle that uses a sail to catch the wind and race to its destination. What you make is yours to keep! 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 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.

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…

Join Visiting Artists Rachael and Debbie Lambin of My Thousand Words book sculptures to learn how to create intricate, holiday inspired book sculptures that will get you into the spirit of the season. Just bring your imagination and creativity. All materials needed for this projected will be provided. About Rachael & Debbie Lambin Art is a family affair with the Lambins. They’re a family who loves art, creativity, and to evoke emotions through the use of books and their pages. One…

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.

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!

Skip the Black Friday madness and make plans to shop the Museum Store holiday sale at The Discovery where you’ll find Reno’s best selection of the smartest toys, games, gadgets, apparel, puzzles, science kits, and more! 30% off everything in the Museum Store from 7:00am to Noon 20% off everything in the Museum Store from Noon to 5:00pm Holiday sale discounts available to museum members and nonmembers. Valid on Museum Store merchandise only. Excludes clearance items. May not be combined…

Perhaps you are already passionate about The Discovery’s mission to inspire by being the place to experience science. But you may not know that The Discovery is only eight years old and a local, independent 501c3 nonprofit. We receive less than 0.5% of our annual operating budget from state and federal funding.That’s why your generous philanthropic support for The Discovery is critical! This Tuesday, December 3, we hope you’ll take the opportunity to show your support for The Discovery by…

Visit The Shop and combine a pair of magnets with paper craft to create a magical ice dancer with a rink to skate on. 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 and combine a pair of magnets with paper craft to create a magical ice dancer with a rink to skate on. 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 Visiting Artist Nicole Oliver to work together with your child to create a collaborative work of art. Parents are encouraged to provide guidance while responding to their child’s creative decisions, working collaboratively to create a truly unique piece. About Nicole Oliver Nicole has collaborated with her two-year-old daughter Mazie to paint garden scenes using acrylic paint on canvas. The process and the finished pieces reflect the joys and struggles of motherhood, as well as the growth that both parent…

Bank of America cardholders enjoy one free general admission to The Discovery on the first full weekend of every month with credit or debit card and photo ID. 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 gain one free general admission to The Discovery. Cardholders only; guests are not eligible for free admission. Excludes special exhibitions, ticketed shows or events,…

Visit Artist Nicole Oliver collaborates with her two-year-old daughter Mazie to paint vibrant garden scenes using acrylic paint and canvas. The process and the finished pieces reflect the joys and struggles of motherhood, as well as the growth that both parent and child experience in this relationship. Visit The Discovery to view a pop-up exhibition of their collaborative work on display from 12:00 to 4:00pm on Sunday, December 8.