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: Building Space Exploration Bridges

Bulletin Boards 1: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

Bulletin Board 2: Astronaut Spotlight: Teacher in Space Barbara Morgan

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] Smithsonian Build a Bridge: Using simple materials build, test, and discover how much weight a bridge can support.

[Mondays] Botley on Mars: The Mars Curiosity rover is currently exploring the lower slopes of Mount Sharp in Gale Crater. Now, it's your turn to explore! Using the remote programmer, code your Botley robot to navigate the terrain and collect as many simulated Mars rocks as possible.

[Fridays] Wind Tunnel Challenge: Explore aerodynamic forces by testing different objects and materials inside a wind tunnel.

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

Special Activities

[August 19] National Potato Day - From the dirt to the stars! Did you know the potato was the first vegetable ever grown in space? Join us to discover the exciting history of this beloved veggie. Together, we'll learn about space agriculture and participate in a fun, hands-on potato activity!

[August 30] – Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launch celebration! Celebrating NASA’s newest space telescope! Build your own telescope and discover what NASA’s newest observatory will discover on its 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