Calendar of Events

Prepare to put on a show with the do-it-yourself marionette you create in The Shop. Using available tools and materials, you can create a clever puppet to use in a puppet show for friends and family! 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.

The Discovery will close at 2:00pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2019 for a staff training event. The museum will reopen at 10:00am on Wednesday, January 30 and resume normal hours.

Put your do-it-yourself skills to work in The Shop when you use real tools and materials to create a variety of fun puzzles and games. 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.

The Discovery is pleased to welcome you to Mindbender Mansion, our latest featured exhibition. This large-scale, eclectic and quirky exhibition, full of brainteasers and interactive challenges, is guaranteed to test the brain power and problem solving skills of even the most experienced puzzlers. Join us and be one of the first to master each of the 40 individual brainteasers and four group activities that make up this fun, challenging and unconventional mansion! Members-only Admission to this exhibition preview event is…

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,…

Calling all nerds, preps, jocks and valley girls to an exploration of the science and culture of the ‘80s. Play classic arcade games, make your own ectoplasm, master the Rubik’s Cube, design a sequined glove, and much more, dude! Labs, lectures and programming at this Social Science will include: Go for High Score! Become an ’80s hero when you try your hand at classic arcade games from Press Start Arcade. You got next! Become the King (or Queen) of Pop…

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:

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.

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.

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.

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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.