Upcoming Events
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Small Wonder Wednesday
Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am.
Find out more »
Make a kite
In Reno, there’s usually a-wind-a-blowin’. Using a multitude of materials available in The Shop , you can now harness the wild western wind! Construct, decorate, and release your creation to the heavens. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.
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Members-only Preview: Above and Beyond
The Discovery is pleased to welcome you to an exclusive, members-only opportunity to see Above and Beyond — The Ultimate Interactive Flight Exhibition. Through immersive simulations, interactive design challenges, iconic historical touchstones, visionary concepts for the future, and inspiring stories from aviation innovators, past and present, this exciting exhibition celebrates the power of innovation to make dreams take flight. Registration Required Please pre-register to attend the members-only preview. Once admitted, members are welcome to explore Above and Beyond and the…
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STEM Lab: Future High Flyers
Get ready to take to the skies in this exciting STEM Lab designed for future female aviators! Through a variety of hands-on activities, this intensive STEM Lab will help young aviators spread their wings and explore the future of aviation and space travel. Cook up some galaxy popcorn, concoct a batch of galaxy slime, launch a balloon rocket, build a space shelter, and much, much more! The sky is the limit in this STEM Lab designed specifically for girls!
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Make a kite
In Reno, there’s usually a-wind-a-blowin’. Using a multitude of materials available in The Shop , you can now harness the wild western wind! Construct, decorate, and release your creation to the heavens. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.
Find out more »
Exhibition Opening: Above and Beyond
The Discovery is pleased to welcome you to Above and Beyond — The Ultimate Interactive Flight Exhibition, our newest featured exhibition. Above & Beyond is designed to ignite a passion for humankind’s greatest adventure: our journey of flight in the air and space. In doing so, it honors past innovations in flight, while looking ahead to what’s next and demonstrating the impact of aerospace breakthroughs in our everyday lives. Through immersive simulations, interactive design challenges, iconic historical touchstones, visionary concepts…
Find out more »
Exhibition Opening: Above and Beyond
The Discovery is pleased to welcome you to Above and Beyond — The Ultimate Interactive Flight Exhibition, our newest featured exhibition. Above & Beyond is designed to ignite a passion for humankind’s greatest adventure: our journey of flight in the air and space. In doing so, it honors past innovations in flight, while looking ahead to what’s next and demonstrating the impact of aerospace breakthroughs in our everyday lives. Through immersive simulations, interactive design challenges, iconic historical touchstones, visionary concepts…
Find out more »
Make a kite
In Reno, there’s usually a-wind-a-blowin’. Using a multitude of materials available in The Shop , you can now harness the wild western wind! Construct, decorate, and release your creation to the heavens. Please note: The Shop offers access to real tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young tinkerers practice the safe use of the tools and materials in this space.
Find out more »
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Small Wonder Wednesday
Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am.
Find out more »
Invent a Flying Machine
Follow in Orville and Wilbur’s footsteps when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a flying machine. Using recycled materials, you can invent something you think will fly. Create it, try it, tweak it, until you designed something airworthy, whether that’s a paper airplane or a prototype for a more advanced flying machine like a helicopter, jet, or rocket! Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young…
Find out more »
Invent a Flying Machine
Follow in Orville and Wilbur’s footsteps when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a flying machine. Using recycled materials, you can invent something you think will fly. Create it, try it, tweak it, until you designed something airworthy, whether that’s a paper airplane or a prototype for a more advanced flying machine like a helicopter, jet, or rocket! Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young…
Find out more »
Invent a Flying Machine
Follow in Orville and Wilbur’s footsteps when you visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a flying machine. Using recycled materials, you can invent something you think will fly. Create it, try it, tweak it, until you designed something airworthy, whether that’s a paper airplane or a prototype for a more advanced flying machine like a helicopter, jet, or rocket! Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young…
Find out more »
Museum Closed: Maintenance
The Discovery will be closed to the public on Monday, June 8, 2026 for exhibit maintenance. The museum will reopen and resume normal operating hours on Tuessday, June 9. As always, please check our calendar of events for updates on the many exciting things happening here at The Discovery.
Find out more »
Small Wonder Wednesday
Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am.
Find out more »
Invent a Sport
Visitors can use a variety of pieces that could be used to create a new sport, or innovate a sport they like. pieces are cones, various sports pieces, some baskets, small pallets, Tinkertoys and Lego. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Science Distilled: Reporting from the Jungle
Science has a communication problem. The Hitchcock Project for Visualizing Science at the University of Nevada, Reno prepares students to combat misinformation and bridge the gap between science and the public through engaging visual storytelling. As part of the project’s second annual travel-based course, students will report in both Spanish and English while working on location at La Selva Research Station in Costa Rica. From the jungle, they will document scientific research through video, photography, audio and writing. Join us…
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Invent a Sport
Visitors can use a variety of pieces that could be used to create a new sport, or innovate a sport they like. pieces are cones, various sports pieces, some baskets, small pallets, Tinkertoys and Lego. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Invent a Sport
Visitors can use a variety of pieces that could be used to create a new sport, or innovate a sport they like. pieces are cones, various sports pieces, some baskets, small pallets, Tinkertoys and Lego. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Small Wonder Wednesday
Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am.
Find out more »
Chain Reactions
Cause and effect will be explored in this activity. Using materials (balls, tubes, blocks, baskets, marble run pieces, and more) visitors will try and build a chain reaction to catch a Dinosaur!
Find out more »
Chain Reactions
Cause and effect will be explored in this activity. Using materials (balls, tubes, blocks, baskets, marble run pieces, and more) visitors will try and build a chain reaction to catch a Dinosaur!
Find out more »
Chain Reactions
Cause and effect will be explored in this activity. Using materials (balls, tubes, blocks, baskets, marble run pieces, and more) visitors will try and build a chain reaction to catch a Dinosaur!
Find out more »
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Small Wonder Wednesday
Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am.
Find out more »
Invent a Robot
The future of robotics is promising. But what can robots do to help humans in our daily lives? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a robot using a variety of craft supplies and recycled materials that can aid in daily tasks. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Invent a Robot
The future of robotics is promising. But what can robots do to help humans in our daily lives? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a robot using a variety of craft supplies and recycled materials that can aid in daily tasks. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Invent a Robot
The future of robotics is promising. But what can robots do to help humans in our daily lives? Visit Spark!Lab Smithsonian to invent a robot using a variety of craft supplies and recycled materials that can aid in daily tasks. Please note: This activity includes access to tools and materials that can be dangerous if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Small Wonder Wednesday
Join us here at The Discovery every Wednesday for a special morning just for young learners ages 5 and under. Hear stories, climb the clouds, create art, and enjoy the entire museum for a full hour before it opens to everyone! Please note: Admission during Small Wonder Wednesday is limited to families with children ages 5 and under only. Visitors with children age 6 and older can visit the museum beginning at 10:00am.
Find out more »
Help Clean Up Lake Tahoe
In this hands-on activity, visitors can invent a device that will help keep Lake Tahoe’s beaches and shores clean using a variety of materials. What will you invent to help preserve one of America’s most beautiful lakes and the jewel of the Sierra? Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Help Clean Up Lake Tahoe
In this hands-on activity, visitors can invent a device that will help keep Lake Tahoe’s beaches and shores clean using a variety of materials. What will you invent to help preserve one of America’s most beautiful lakes and the jewel of the Sierra? Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Help Clean Up Lake Tahoe
In this hands-on activity, visitors can invent a device that will help keep Lake Tahoe’s beaches and shores clean using a variety of materials. What will you invent to help preserve one of America’s most beautiful lakes and the jewel of the Sierra? Please note: Spark!Lab offers access to tools and materials that can cause injury if used improperly. Parents are encouraged to help young inventors use the tools and materials safely in this space.
Find out more »
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Summer Hours: Open Mondays
From Memorial Day, May 25 though Labor Day, September 7, 2026, The Discovery adds Monday to the days the museum is open to the public. That’s seven days a week you can build, invent, explore and have fun! We hope to see you here. Be sure to check out the calendar of events to find out what’s happening all summer long!
Find out more »
Social Science: The Heist
Explore the art of the steal at this Social Science inspired by the science and tech used to pull off the biggest heists. Get ready to steal the crown jewels when you take part in activities including stealing the gold, creating Italian Job pasta art, escaping a laser maze, posing for mugshot, and a whole lot more! Make history and get the goods! Labs, lectures and experiences at this Social Science are still being finalized. Please check back. Due to…
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