
Calendar of Events
Past Events

Tech!Night February
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. Generously supported by:
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Mini Robot Bugs
One event on February 16, 2019 at 10:30 am
One event on February 20, 2019 at 2:30 pm
Visit The Shop to build a mini robot bug using a battery and a small motor. Choose from a variety of materials to give your insect charm and character! 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.
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Open Build in The Shop
In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During Open Build, take your pick from a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, 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.
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Hardware Fidget Spinners
Visit The Shop to use available tool and materials to create your own version of the popular fidget spinner. Building on a provided bearing (while supplies last), you can use a variety of materials to create a custom-design fidget spinner made to your exacting specifications. 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 »
Mini Robot Bugs
Visit The Shop to build a mini robot bug using a battery and a small motor. Choose from a variety of materials to give your insect charm and character! 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 »
Kickstart College Savings
Did you know that beginning in 2014, all Nevada children enrolled in a public kindergarten receive $50 to begin saving for college expenses? It’s called the Nevada College Kickstart Program, and all you need to do to claim your child’s account is register. Tracy Sherwood, Financial Wellness Navigator for the Washoe Country School District (WCSD), will be on hand to assist families with their student’s College KickStart accounts.
Find out more »
LEGO® BattleBots
Ready to engage in battle? Register for this class and you’ll learn how to built the ultimate BattleBot using using LEGO® Mindstorm robotics. Then, test your bot’s capabilities when you pit it against your fellow participants in a head-to-head, sumo-style battle. Your objective? Push your competitors’ bot out of the ring to declare victory! Register today for one of two age groups. Age Group Time Member Nonmember Remaining Register Ages 5-8* 10:00 – 11:30am $15 $20 0 spots Ages 9-12…
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Visiting Artist: Rebekah Stetson
Bath fizzies are great to add to your bath for a relaxing and pleasant smelling experience. They make great gifts, too! Join Visiting Artist Rebekah Stetson to make bath fizzies in a variety of colors and scents using all organic ingredients. Bath fizzies make a sizzling fizz as they dissolve! Join us to find out why, and make your own to take home. About Rebekah Stetson Rebekah Stetson is a Swiss army knife of arts and education with a passion for…
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Science Distilled: Exploring astrobiology
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Alien encounters, science fiction movies, dreams of becoming an astronaut—the possibility of life beyond Earth has always fascinated us. But our curiosity has outpaced our ability to explore space. Scientists must turn to the known to learn about the unknown, finding clues about life among the stars in places like dark caverns, ice-covered Antarctic lakes, and Yellowstone’s geysers. If we imagine that life on Mars will be cold and dry, for example, we can find similar locations on Earth to…
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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 »
LEGO® BattleBots
Ready to engage in battle? Register for this class and you’ll learn how to built the ultimate BattleBot using using LEGO® Mindstorm robotics. Then, test your bot’s capabilities when you pit it against your fellow participants in a head-to-head, sumo-style battle. Your objective? Push your competitors’ bot out of the ring to declare victory! Register today for one of two age groups. Age Group Time Member Nonmember Remaining Register Ages 5-8* 10:00 – 11:30am $15 $20 0 spots Ages 9-12…
Find out more »
DIY Birdhouses
One event on March 3, 2019 at 12:30 pm
One event on March 6, 2019 at 10:30 am
With spring almost upon us, visit The Shop to build a cozy home for our feathered friends. Using various wooden materials and available tools, you can design and build your own version of a classic birdhouse. 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 »
DIY Birdhouses
With spring almost upon us, visit The Shop to build a cozy home for our feathered friends. Using various wooden materials and available tools, you can design and build your own version of a classic birdhouse. 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 »
Fly-through Birdhouses
Reno, NV 89501 United States
With spring almost upon us, visit The Shop to build a cozy home for our feathered friends. Using various wooden materials and available tools, you can design and build your own version of a classic birdhouse. 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 »
Teen Science Night 2019
Don’t miss The Discovery’s annual “teen takeover” featuring hands-on science activities, music, games and prizes, and more! Explore the entire museum including the new featured exhibition, Mindbender Mansion. Teen Science Night is hosted and organized by The Discovery’s Teen Advisory Committee: Haley Belsher – Davidson Academy, Ikenna Okpukpara – Davidson Academy, Sarah Peterson – Galena High School, Katie Schloss – Galena High School, Kaitlyn Turner – Swope Middle School, Reese Watabayashi – Davidson Academy Prizes generously donated by The Holland Project, Hub Coffee…
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LEGO® BattleBots
Ready to engage in battle? Register for this class and you’ll learn how to built the ultimate BattleBot using using LEGO® Mindstorm robotics. Then, test your bot’s capabilities when you pit it against your fellow participants in a head-to-head, sumo-style battle. Your objective? Push your competitors’ bot out of the ring to declare victory! Register today for one of two age groups. Age Group Time Member Nonmember Remaining Register Ages 5-8* 10:00 – 11:30am $15 $20 0 spots Ages 9-12…
Find out more »
Tech!Night March
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. Generously supported by:
Find out more »
Scribblebots
Robots might be perfect for performing repetitive, pre-programmed tasks, but they can also excel at more artistic tasks as well. Visit The Shop to design and build your own artistic robot, better known as a “Scribblebot.” Using a variety of materials you’ll build a robot that can draw while moving under its own power to create a unique work of art! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged…
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7th Annual Leprechaun Race
Can you outrun a leprechaun? Find out at the 7th Annual Leprechaun Race on Sunday, March 17, 2019. This family-friendly 5K run/walk starts and finishes at The Discovery and will take you on a tour through the streets of the Midtown and Wells Avenue neighborhoods. Don’t despair if the leprechaun beats you to the finish. For every runner, jogger or walker the leprechaun passes, the pot of gold grows in size. Who will benefit from the increased pot of gold?……
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Scribblebots
Robots might be perfect for performing repetitive, pre-programmed tasks, but they can also excel at more artistic tasks as well. Visit The Shop to design and build your own artistic robot, better known as a “Scribblebot.” Using a variety of materials you’ll build a robot that can draw while moving under its own power to create a unique work of art! Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged…
Find out more »
Self-watering Planters
One event on March 23, 2019 at 10:30 am
One event on March 24, 2019 at 12:30 pm
Give your spring plants an early start with a self-watering planter you create in The Shop. Using available tools and materials, you can create a planter that will reliably water a plant so it can blossom and flourish. 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 »
Kickstart College Savings
One event on March 20, 2019 at 3:00 pm
One event on April 3, 2019 at 3:00 pm
Did you know that beginning in 2014, all Nevada children enrolled in a public kindergarten receive $50 to begin saving for college expenses? It’s called the Nevada College Kickstart Program, and all you need to do to claim your child’s account is register. Tracy Sherwood, Financial Wellness Navigator for the Washoe Country School District (WCSD), will be on hand to assist families with their student’s College KickStart accounts.
Find out more »
Science Distilled: Is seeing believing?
Reno, NV 89501 United States
Why do you see one thing in an optical illusion while your friend might see something completely different? What is it about the brain that allows for these differences, and what can we learn about our brain function and behavior from animals? At this event, our speakers will explore the intricacies of how humans see the world and how they study perception, bias, and behavior using animals as different as dogs and octopuses. DRI’s Mary Cablk, PhD, will share insights…
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