Spark!Lab is a hands-on invention workspace where children and their families and friends can learn about and engage in the history and process of invention. It is a space to engage the entire family while presenting challenges ranging from simple to complex and allowing all visitors to recognize their inner Inventor!

• Invention is a process.
• Everyone is inventive.
• Invention and innovation have been – and continue to be – an important part of the American Experience.

History, science, engineering, and art are incorporated throughout the lab.  

Activities:

• Invent-A-Vehicle Build a vehicle to be used on another planet. Vehicles are made from reusable materials, and components are on a scale that encourages collaboration and imaginative play.
• Soundscapes Use different parts and pieces to create music and pathways for marbles. See what sounds are made with different configurations.
• Marble Run Learn about geometric shapes, engineering, physics, magnets, number counting, and architectural and structural design while building a marble run.
• Hex Bugs and Kapla Blocks Design a maze for the Hex Bugs. It needs to have 3 beginnings/ending points.
• Spark!Lab Jr Read a book, measure the distance between two objects, examine bugs under a magnifying glass are just a few of the activities awaiting our younger guests.
• STEM Stencils STEM is everywhere! The Solar System. A Cheese Pizza. Music.  Animals. Using the various stencils provided, create a new game. Draw a Flow Chart to describe your day. Plan your next vacation. The Universe is the limit!

Spark!Lab History Month Theme: 

S!L Theme: NASA’s Apollo Program

Bulletin Boards 1: Project Apollo

Bulletin Board 2: Astronaut and Space Camp Alum Spotlight Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger 

Spark!Lab Hands on Learning Activities          

Location/Times: Spark Lab (Each event is within Spark!Lab. Spark!Lab hours of operation 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.)        

[Daily] Straw Rockets: Build and launch a straw rocket and see how far it can fly! 

[Mondays] Botley Robotic Lunar Orbits: Guide Astronaut Botley’s orbit of the Moon.

[July 13] National Rock Day: Explore the geology of Earth’s Moon and neighboring planet Mars.

[July 20] National Moon Day: Celebrate the 57th anniversary of the first lunar landing and the Apollo 11 mission.  

STEAM Literature Series (SLS)

Click here for more information about our SLS program.

Join us Thursdays at 10:00 for stories and hands-on activities!

Content of schedule subject to change