
Calendar of Events
Past Events

Circuit Aliens
Combine cute and cuddly with simple circuitry when you create your very own Circuit Alien in The Shop. Using available materials, you can create a clever little alien and then add LED lights and a battery to make it shine bright on travels through space! 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…
Find out more »
Circuit Aliens
Combine cute and cuddly with simple circuitry when you create your very own Circuit Alien in The Shop. Using available materials, you can create a clever little alien and then add LED lights and a battery to make it shine bright on travels through space! 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…
Find out more »
Museum Store Back-2-School Sale
An event every day that begins at 9:00 am, repeating until August 11, 2019
Gear up for the upcoming school year with the huge selection of science toys, books, gadgets and games in the Museum Store. From August 5 through August 11, members and WCSD educators receive 20% off their entire purchase. Nonmembers receive a 10% discount. Note: Valid on Museum Store merchandise only. May not be combined with any other discount or offer. Not valid on gift cards, memberships, museum admission or special event tickets. Your purchase in the Museum Store supports The…
Find out more »
Bottle Rockets
Blast off for the moon and beyond with a compressed air bottle rocket you build in The Shop! Using a recycled water bottle and a variety of other materials, you can design and build a rocket that uses compressed air to take flight. Best of all, 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…
Find out more »
Bottle Rockets
Blast off for the moon and beyond with a compressed air bottle rocket you build in The Shop! Using a recycled water bottle and a variety of other materials, you can design and build a rocket that uses compressed air to take flight. Best of all, 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…
Find out more »
No-sew Zipper Pouch
One event on August 17, 2019 at 10:30 am
One event on August 18, 2019 at 12:30 pm
One event on August 21, 2019 at 2:30 pm
Be ready for school or work with a do-it-yourself zipper pouch you create in The Shop. This no-sew project is a snap—simply use available materials to create a customized and versatile storage solution for pens, pencils, or anything you need to carry. 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.
Find out more »
No-sew Zipper Pouch
Be ready for school or work with a do-it-yourself zipper pouch you create in The Shop. This no-sew project is a snap—simply use available materials to create a customized and versatile storage solution for pens, pencils, or anything you need to carry. 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.
Find out more »
Museum Night at Reno Aces
Join the The Discovery, the Nevada Museum of Art, and other local museums for a special night with the Reno Aces Baseball Club at Greater Nevada Field. The Aces will be taking on the Sacramento River Cats, and The Discovery will be there with hands-on activities and giveaways. We hope you’ll join us!
Find out more »
No-sew Zipper Pouch
Be ready for school or work with a do-it-yourself zipper pouch you create in The Shop. This no-sew project is a snap—simply use available materials to create a customized and versatile storage solution for pens, pencils, or anything you need to carry. 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.
Find out more »
Planetary Buttons
One event on August 25, 2019 at 12:30 pm
One event on August 28, 2019 at 9:30 am
Choose your favorite planet, or planets, and make a wearable button with its likeness. Using available images and our handy button press, you can create a pin-back button with Earth, Mars, Venus or whatever your favorite planet may be. 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.
Find out more »
Planetary Buttons
Choose your favorite planet, or planets, and make a wearable button with its likeness. Using available images and our handy button press, you can create a pin-back button with Earth, Mars, Venus or whatever your favorite planet may be. 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.
Find out more »
Planetary Buttons
Choose your favorite planet, or planets, and make a wearable button with its likeness. Using available images and our handy button press, you can create a pin-back button with Earth, Mars, Venus or whatever your favorite planet may be. 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.
Find out more »
Bank of America Museums on Us
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,…
Find out more »
Science Distilled: Water, science and justice
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Imagine standing at your kitchen sink, looking out the window to expansive almond orchards and tomato fields. You turn on the tap for a glass of water, but you’re not sure if it’s safe to drink. If it’s contaminated by chemicals from pesticides and fertilizers, how will it be cleaned, and who will pay for it? Rural communities are in just this dilemma, grappling with how to pay for treatment of underground water supplies contaminated by agrichemicals. At this installment…
Find out more »
Educator Appreciation Day 2019
Educators are invited to a free day at The Discovery on Saturday, September 14, 2019. Explore the entire museum including new exhibitions Mindbender Mansion and Sun, Earth, Universe. Open to everyone in the education field, you’ll discover innovative, engaging, standards-aligned ways to bring STEAM subjects into your classroom and learn more about the museum’s 2019/20 school field trip program. The first 100 attendees will receive a generous goodie bag—our thanks for your partnership in education!
Find out more »
DIY Kaleidoscopes
Ever wonder how a kaleidoscope works? Understand the science by creating your own in The Shop! Combine a variety of materials with angled reflective surfaces to build this traditional toy which gets its name from Greek words meaning “beautiful form to see.” 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.
Find out more »
Educator Appreciation Buttons
Stop by this exploration station to create a wearable celebration of your favorite educator. Wear the button you create, or give it to the favorite educator in your life, to say thanks for helping foster a love of lifelong learning, just like The Discovery!
Find out more »
Upcycled T-shirt Totes
Visit The Shop to turn an old, worn out t-shirt into a useful tote bag. Bring your own t-shirt, or grab one of ours, and follow the simple instructions to easily transform a tired t-shirt into a tote bag perfect for daily use. 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.
Find out more »
Social Science: Sci-Fi Strikes Back
Use the force, blast into hyperspace, phone home and get beamed up during an evening of intergalactic exploration inspired by a galaxy far, far away. Get ready to get hands-on with the science that makes the fiction fantastic. Sci-fi soundtrack provided by StaxOfWax of the Thermites. Labs, lectures and programming for this Social Science will include: Saber Jousting Use the force of science to knock your opponent off their perch in this classic sci-fi duel. Felt Heroes and Heroines Get…
Find out more »
Yelpstronomy 5.0: Eat. Drink. Explore.
Eat, drink and explore an array of mind-bendingly magical and mysterious food and drink from the best local businesses around at Yelpstronomy 5.0, benefitting The Discovery! Your suggested donation helps support the museum’s mission to inspire by being the place to experience science. Engage, learn and interact with our community’s top experts in our interactive labs, wander the museum and sample food and drink that will force you to rethink what you already know, and party the night away with…
Find out more »
Catapult Tic Tac Toe
Combine physics with classic tic tac toe when you create a catapult and a game board in The Shop. Using available tools and materials, you’ll create a simple catapult you can use to launch X’s and O’s into your game board. Get three in a row and you’re the winner! 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…
Find out more »
Catapult Tic Tac Toe
Combine physics with classic tic tac toe when you create a catapult and a game board in The Shop. Using available tools and materials, you’ll create a simple catapult you can use to launch X’s and O’s into your game board. Get three in a row and you’re the winner! 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…
Find out more »
LED Clothespin Mummies
Combine a classic clothespin with a battery, wires, LED lights, and various other crafting materials to create a spooky light-up mummy. Happy Halloween! 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.
Find out more »
LED Clothespin Mummies
Combine a classic clothespin with a battery, wires, LED lights, and various other crafting materials to create a spooky light-up mummy. Happy Halloween! 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.
Find out more »