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 Space Explores: Mercury 7 and Mercury13

Bulletin Boards 1 and 2:  Mission Training: Mercury 7 and Mercury 13

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] National Women in Aerospace - honoring the achievements of the Mercury 13.

[Mondays] Train like a Mercury 7 Astronaut with Botley - Code Botley robots through a space obstacle training course.

May 5: National Space Day – Celebrate the 65th Anniversary of Alan Shepard’s Mercury launch. Build and launch a paper rocket!

May 10: Space Moms: Happy Mother’s Day – Recognizing the out of this world women and mothers of STEM.  

May 28: Able and Baker Day – Celebrating the launch and splashdown of 'monkeynauts' Able and Baker with capsule parachute drops.

STEAM Literature Series (SLS)

Click here for more information about our SLS program.

Join us Thursdays at 10:30 for stories and hands-on activities!

Content of schedule subject to change