Calendar of Events

Robots might be perfect for performing repetitive, preprogrammed tasks, but they can also excel at more artistic tasks as well. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own artistic robot, better known as a “Squiggle Bot.” Using a variety of materials you’ll build a robot that can draw while moving to create a unique piece of art!

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 – fly a drone, command a robot, print in 3-D, and even code a new game – happening monthly in Spark!Lab Smithsonian. Generously supported by:

Join Visiting Tinkerer Casey Sibley to learn the basics of block printing on fabric and paper. You’ll create your own work of art using a handmade stamp with your original design. We’ll have all the tools and supplies you need to craft your piece, whether it’s an art print to adorn your walls, or a tote bag to show off to your friends. You’ll learn new techniques that are fun and easy to recreate at home on your own as…

Now hear this! In The Shop you can design and build your own set of speakers to amplify the sound of your favorite smartphone or music player. Experiment with different shapes and materials to find out what creates the loudest or best quality sound. What you build 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…

Robots might be perfect for performing repetitive, preprogrammed tasks, but they can also excel at more artistic tasks as well. Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent your own artistic robot, better known as a “Squiggle Bot.” Using a variety of materials you’ll build a robot that can draw while moving to create a unique piece of art!

Now hear this! In The Shop you can design and build your own set of speakers to amplify the sound of your favorite smartphone or music player. Experiment with different shapes and materials to find out what creates the loudest or best quality sound. What you build 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…

Give a classic toy game a recycled twist when you create your own marble maze in The Shop. Using a variety of repurposed materials, create the tracks, tunnels, bumpers and other obstacles that make that make up the perfect marble challenge. 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.

Give a classic game a recycled twist when you create your own marble maze in The Shop. Using a variety of repurposed materials, create the tracks, tunnels, bumpers and other obstacles that make that make up the perfect marble challenge. 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.

In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During “open build” take your pick a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, whatever you create 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 tools and materials safely in this space.

In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During “open build” take your pick a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, whatever you create 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 tools and materials safely in this space.

Scientists estimate that there are more than 1,000 chemicals in a typical cup of our beloved java. From the plant, to the roast, to the grind, you’ll explore the many amazing factors that contribute to our affinity, and sometimes reliance, on this globally alluring elixir. About Social Science Social Science is adults-only, brain building fun featuring intriguing science demos, hands-on labs, a live DJ, and beer, wine, and sweet and savory bites from Whole Foods Market Reno.

In The Shop, hands-on gets serious. During “open build” take your pick a variety of materials and use real tools to design and build nearly anything you can imagine. Best of all, whatever you create 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 tools and materials safely in this space.

Visit The Shop to create your own piece of thermoplastic art and then watch as it shrinks to size before your very eyes. Create things like earrings, bookmarks, keychains, and more, and learn how this amazing material softens when heated, but hardens when it cools. 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 create your own piece of thermoplastic art and then watch as it shrinks to size before your very eyes. Create things like earrings, bookmarks, keychains, and more, and learn how this amazing material softens when heated, but hardens when it cools. 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 author Liv Bulu for a reading of her new book, Penelope Pie Throws A Pizza Party. Penelope Pie is the first book in the Vizkidz series, a collection of stories that introduce young minds to the basics of data visualization. When Penelope throws a party for her birthday, someone needs to figure out how to divvy up the pizza so each guest can have their favorite topping. Fortunately, Penelope is just the girl for the job! About the Author…

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:

Join Visiting Tinkerers Rachael and Debbie Lambin to create a Valentine’s Day inspired book sculpture. This mother-daughter team of artists will help you create an intricate literary sculpture that gets its inspiration from the titles and stories contained in the book it inhabits. All materials needed for this projected will be provided. Our thanks to the Meyer family for their generous support of the Visiting Tinkerer program.

Visit The Shop to create your own Valentine’s Day plush toy using a no-sew technique. Choose from a variety of materials to create a fun and fuzzy way to celebrate this holiday of love. 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 create your own Valentine’s Day plush toy using a no-sew technique. Choose from a variety of materials to create a fun and fuzzy way to celebrate this holiday of love. 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.

Science Distilled, a new lecture series created by DRI and The Discovery, makes cutting-edge science approachable through presentations on current and curious topics held at hip locations in a social atmosphere. The air we breathe and health in Nevada—how is what we’re inhaling putting Northern Nevada on the map? Does Nevada have some dirty laundry to air when it comes to what we are breathing? Joe Grzymski opens the Nevada Inhales discussion by sharing his work on the 23andMe and…

Visit The Shop to combine repurposed packing foam with pipe cleaners and toothpicks to create unique artistic sculptures. What is 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.