Calendar of Events

Bubbles can be fascinating, beautiful and fun. But did you know bubbles can also help you explore scientific concepts such as elasticity, surface tension, chemistry, light, and even geometry? At Bubble Extravaganza, The Discovery’s event during the inaugural Northern Nevada Science & Technology Festival, you’ll be able to create bubbles of all shapes and sizes and explore the many interesting properties bubbles demonstrate. Bubble Performer Be dazzled by artist Kit Huntington, who will be creating spectacular giant bubbles on the plaza…

In conjunction with the current Spark!Lab Smithsonian sustainability theme, visit the lab to view a showing of photography provided by The Nature Conservancy showcasing the many ways they work to keep the state of Nevada beautiful.

Visit The Shop to create a toy that uses rotational inertia to entertain. Using available tools and materials, you can design and build your own version of this classic toy. 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.

From Memorial Day, May 27, 2019 though Labor Day, September 2, 2019, The Discovery adds Monday to the days of the week the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!

Blast off into outer space in The Shop when you create your own version of a space ship climbing toy. Using available tools and materials, you can design and build your own classic climbing toy to send a spacecraft to the moon and beyond! 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…

Whether an ear-shattering guitar solo or a tear-jerking ballad is your jam, this Social Science is your opportunity to explore the science of sound. Invent your own musical instrument, play a one-of-a-kind light-up drum kit, make Oobleck dance to the beat, enjoy live musical performances, and so much more! Labs, lectures and programming for this Social Science will include: The Big Music Quiz Join a team and put your collective music knowledge to the test in a battle of audiophiles.…

Join our friends from the Nevada Department of Conservation & Natural Resources for a variety of hands-on art projects in Spark!Lab Smithsonian. Create upcycled works of art by re-purposing a variety materials, and more!

Join Visiting Artist Kat Shepard from Friends of Nevada Wilderness to celebrate the wonderful relationship we have with our local environment. Kat has taken local flora and created a unique line of “nature paints,” with special focus on harvesting invasive and noxious weeds and using them for good! You too can make paint using natural pigments, including stuff we find outside everyday. We will use things like dirt and plants to make our own unique art. Learn how to make…

Count down to lift-off in The Shop when you design and build a rocket propulsion model. Using available tools and materials, you can build an interstellar vehicle and a launch to send it into orbit. 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 materials safely in this space.

Count down to lift-off in The Shop when you design and build a rocket propulsion model. Using available tools and materials, you can build an interstellar vehicle and a launcher to send it into orbit. 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 materials safely in this space.

Join our friends from the Sierra Nevada Amateur Radio Society to explore the intricacies of amateur radio. Amateur radio, often referred to as “Ham” radio, is the ability to communicate—across the street, around the world, or even with people and satellites in space! Even when the power’s out, and the land lines and cell phones don’t work, with a battery, a radio, and a wire, Ham radio is there. At this event you can: Talk on the radio with other…

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.

Combine your LEGO® expertise with a your programming skills when you build a programmable Mars rover in Spark!Lab Smithsonian. Be sure to take into consideration the Red Planet’s harsh landscape and then design, build and program a rover to safely navigate Mars’ diverse terrain.

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.

Combine your LEGO® expertise with a your programming skills when you build a programmable Mars rover in Spark!Lab Smithsonian. Be sure to take into consideration the Red Planet’s harsh landscape and then design, build and program a rover to safely navigate Mars’ diverse terrain.

Tackle the harsh and varied landscape of the Red Planet with a motorized rover you design and build in The Shop. Combine a miniature motor with a variety of available materials to create a powered rover that can traverse Mars. What you create 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 space.