Calendar of Events

Wherever you go, it will follow! Create a classic pull toy, using real tools and materials in The Shop, to give as a gift or keep for yourself. Whatever you build 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.

Join Visiting Tinkerer Kevin Karl, from Visual Design, to paint with a pendulum, make a pinhole viewer, or design a mobile. Originally from the Midwest, Kevin is a local graphic and interpretive designer, photographer, and community educator who often dives into our diverse outdoor backdrop for ideas and inspiration. Kevin will be offering three unique sessions throughout the day: 11:00am — Pendulum Art Geared toward the younger artist, we’ll play with paint on a very large scale, by swinging from…

Wherever you go, it will follow! Create a classic pull toy, using real tools and materials in The Shop, to give as a gift or keep for yourself. Whatever you build 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.

Get ready to take advantage of the winter weather when you design and build your own sled out of cardboard and other available materials in The Shop. 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.

Get ready to take advantage of the winter weather when you design and build your own sled out of cardboard and other available materials in The Shop. 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.

Get ready to take advantage of the winter weather when you design and build your own sled out of cardboard and other available materials in The Shop. 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.

Get ready to take advantage of the winter weather when you design and build your own sled out of cardboard and other available materials in The Shop. 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.

Get ready to take advantage of the winter weather when you design and build your own sled out of cardboard and other available materials in The Shop. 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.

Be ready for the cold winter months with threadless apparel you create using provided materials in The Shop. 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.

Be ready for the cold winter months with threadless apparel you create using provided materials in The Shop. 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.

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Light up the holiday season when you use provided LED lights and batteries combined with a variety of other materials to create your own light-up sculpture, toy, or fashion item in The Shop. 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.

Light up the holiday season when you use provided LED lights and batteries combined with a variety of other materials to create your own light-up sculpture, toy, or fashion item in The Shop. 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.

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!

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: