SPARK! April Showers
This program is for children ages 1-6 and their caregivers to enjoy hands-on exploratory STEAM learning and play. Enjoy music and motion, stories, guided activities and more with Discovery Center staff!
Tuesday – Saturday | 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.
Fairytale STEAM
April 2-6: Beanstalk Growing
April 9-13: Rapunzel Hair Weights
April 16-20: Dragon Fire
April 23-27: Little Red Basket Weaving
April 30-May 4: Frog Prince Origami
Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May 5- 11: Extremophile Search - Celebrate Filipino-American microbiologist Roseli Ocampo-Friedmann and the search for extremophiles.
May 12-18: Mr. Tornado - Explore Tornadoes and the F-Scale named after Tetsuya "Ted" Fujita, also known as "Mr. Tornado."
May 19-25: Hawaiian Voyaging Traditions - Learn about Star Navigation and Nainoa Thompson, the first Hawaiian in over 500 years to practice open-ocean navigation without instruments.
May 26-31: Otter Art - Create your own Otter Algae Craft and learn about Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott, a pioneering Hawaiian scientist who discovered over 200 algae species.
Programs are subject to change.
Wednesdays & Fridays | 3 p.m.
Join Discovery Center staff for a turtle feeding! Included with admission. Programs are subject to change.
Thursdays | 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.
Join Discovery Center staff for story time in our Great Outdoors! Included with admission. Programs are subject to change.
This program is for children ages 1-6 and their caregivers to enjoy hands-on exploratory STEAM learning and play. Enjoy music and motion, stories, guided activities and more with Discovery Center staff!
This program is for children ages 1-6 and their caregivers to enjoy hands-on exploratory STEAM learning and play. Enjoy music and motion, stories, guided activities and more with Discovery Center staff!
Explore all things STEAM with different lessons throughout the whole semester.
Save the Date for an evening of fun and revelry as guests sample local brews and watch Shakespearean snippets played by local artists.
Join Artist in Residence Suzanne LeBeau for open studio sessions! These sessions allow visitors to experience what it means to be a professional artist. During open studio hours, Suzanne invites conversation with young creators about why recycling is important as they help turn a year of yogurt cups into a permanent sculpture for the museum! Discussion will include some steps we can all take to lessen our daily waste.
Included with admission. Free for members.
Join us in the Studio as our Artist in Residence, Suzanne LeBeau, leads us in Upcycled Art projects! Included with admission. Free for members.
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm - April 21 - Earth Day activity
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm - April 28 - Why is blue blue? – Why we see colors the way we do
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm -May 5 - Hidden Pictures
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm -May 12 - Who Am I? All about animals
Included with admission while supplies last. Free for members.
Join Artist in Residence Suzanne LeBeau for open studio sessions! These sessions allow visitors to experience what it means to be a professional artist. During open studio hours, Suzanne invites conversation with young creators about why recycling is important as they help turn a year of yogurt cups into a permanent sculpture for the museum! Discussion will include some steps we can all take to lessen our daily waste.
Included with admission. Free for members.
Join us in the Studio as our Artist in Residence, Suzanne LeBeau, leads us in Upcycled Art projects! Included with admission. Free for members.
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm - April 21 - Earth Day activity
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm - April 28 - Why is blue blue? – Why we see colors the way we do
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm -May 5 - Hidden Pictures
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm -May 12 - Who Am I? All about animals
Included with admission while supplies last. Free for members.
This program is for children ages 1-6 and their caregivers to enjoy hands-on exploratory STEAM learning and play. Enjoy music and motion, stories, guided activities and more with Discovery Center staff!
This program is for children ages 1-6 and their caregivers to enjoy hands-on exploratory STEAM learning and play. Enjoy music and motion, stories, guided activities and more with Discovery Center staff!
Become a biologist with the Discovery Center! These Learning Pods are designed for our older students to utilize tools and discover the inner workings of different organisms.
This is a time for special-needs families to enjoy the Discovery Center’s exhibits in a sensory-friendly environment. All Access Nights are free, but reservations are suggested.
Sponsored by:
Celebrate the emergence of the cicadas at Discovery Center with a cicada-inspired art challenge, cicada storytime, and nature observations! Event activities are included with museum admission; free for members!
This program is for children ages 1-6 and their caregivers to enjoy hands-on exploratory STEAM learning and play. Enjoy music and motion, stories, guided activities and more with Discovery Center staff!
This program is for children ages 1-6 and their caregivers to enjoy hands-on exploratory STEAM learning and play. Enjoy music and motion, stories, guided activities and more with Discovery Center staff!
On this International Day for Biological Diversity, we celebrate the incredible biodiversity of the Murfree Spring Wetlands! Take a wetlands scavenger hunt and learn about this amazing ecosystem. Included with admission. Free for members.
Meet Discovery Center’s favorite hard-shelled friends and learn about the difference between turtles and tortoises. Included with admission. Free for members.
Kick-off summer by coming to a Member MessFest at Discovery Center!
Get creative and messy with hands-on activities inside and outside the museum (weather permitting), museum exploration, and lite snacks. Free for members. Registration required.
Did you know that river otters are capable of reaching swimming speeds of seven miles per hour and can hold their breath for up to eight minutes under water? North American river otters also play an important role in our ecosystem. Learn more about these incredible animals at Discovery Center’s World Otter Day. Included with admission. Free for members.
Celebrate World Environment Day all week long exploring the Murfree Spring wetlands!
This popular annual event features an elegant banquet of experiences including fine foods, exquisite sweets, and tantalizing auction items.
The Secret Garden Tour is your opportunity to stroll through intimate gardens tucked away in local homes.
A Campology session fit for an Olympian with STEAM activities inspired by favorite Olympic events!
A Campology day fit for an Olympian with STEAM activities inspired by favorite Olympic events!
Celebrate World Environment Day on this one day camp exploring the Murfree Spring wetlands!
Celebrate World Environment Day all week long exploring the Murfree Spring wetlands!
A Campology session fit for an Olympian with STEAM activities inspired by favorite Olympic events!
Join us in the Studio as our Artist in Residence, Suzanne LeBeau, leads us in Upcycled Art projects! Included with admission. Free for members.
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm - April 21 - Earth Day activity
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm - April 28 - Why is blue blue? – Why we see colors the way we do
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm -May 5 - Hidden Pictures
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm -May 12 - Who Am I? All about animals
Included with admission while supplies last. Free for members.
Join Artist in Residence Suzanne LeBeau for open studio sessions! These sessions allow visitors to experience what it means to be a professional artist. During open studio hours, Suzanne invites conversation with young creators about why recycling is important as they help turn a year of yogurt cups into a permanent sculpture for the museum! Discussion will include some steps we can all take to lessen our daily waste.
Included with admission. Free for members.
Join us in the Studio as our Artist in Residence, Suzanne LeBeau, leads us in Upcycled Art projects! Included with admission. Free for members.
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm - April 21 - Earth Day activity
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm - April 28 - Why is blue blue? – Why we see colors the way we do
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm -May 5 - Hidden Pictures
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm -May 12 - Who Am I? All about animals
Included with admission while supplies last. Free for members.
Join Artist in Residence Suzanne LeBeau for open studio sessions! These sessions allow visitors to experience what it means to be a professional artist. During open studio hours, Suzanne invites conversation with young creators about why recycling is important as they help turn a year of yogurt cups into a permanent sculpture for the museum! Discussion will include some steps we can all take to lessen our daily waste.
Included with admission. Free for members.
Become a biologist with the Discovery Center! These Learning Pods are designed for our older students to utilize tools and discover the inner workings of different organisms.
This program is for children ages 1-6 and their caregivers to enjoy hands-on exploratory STEAM learning and play. Enjoy music and motion, stories, guided activities and more with Discovery Center staff!
This program is for children ages 1-6 and their caregivers to enjoy hands-on exploratory STEAM learning and play. Enjoy music and motion, stories, guided activities and more with Discovery Center staff!
Join us in The STUDIO for a 4-session series with our Artist in Residence, Charles Key. Charles will help us explore the world of color mixing and colors in nature!
Session 1 - March 24: Egg Plate
Session 2 & 3 - April 7: Caterpillar Plate & Chrysalis Plate
Session 4 - April 14: Butterfly and Flower Plate
Included with admission while supplies last. Free for members.
Join Discovery Center to celebrate the diversity of Tennessee through art! Engage with local artists at interactive stations around the museum, visit the Dow Street Music School Petting Zoo, enjoy the Murfreesboro Little Theater as they perform "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales," or create your own masterpiece with special activities in The STUDIO.
Event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Nissan Foundation.
Big Hearts in the Little Room (While Supplies Last)
Celebrating families is at the heart of supporting our youngest learners. Our youngest explorers can take a stroll through Tiny Town and enjoy light refreshments in the Little Room from 9 am - 11 am.
NAEYC applauds family members’ role as young children’s first and most important teachers. Share pictures and stories about your family on Facebook, X, and Instagram using the #WOYC24 hashtag.
Put on your disco dancing shoes and dress to impress yourself as you make your way to the Discovery Center for The Wonder Dance. A special evening for individuals with disabilities and their families. Dance the night away with DJ Amber Morton, enjoy food from Chick-fil-a, explore the museum, and have fun with family and friends. This evening is free but registration is highly encouraged.
Sponsored by Lana Seivers.
Butterfly Life Cycle in the Studio
Think, problem solve, create! Children develop creativity, social skills and fine motor skills with open-ended art projects where they can make choices, use their imaginations, and create with their hands. On Artsy Thursday celebrate the joy and learning children experience when engaged in creative art making. Use any materials—from crayons to paint, clay to crafts! While supplies last. Included with admission.
Create and share photos of your children’s creations on Facebook, X, and Instagram using the #WOYC24 hashtag.
Wetland Walk & Nature Gathering Craft
When children build together they explore math and science concepts and develop their social and early literacy skills. Children can use any building material—from a fort of branches on the playground to a block city in the classroom, or a hideaway made from couch pillows at home.
Come build with us and share pictures of children’s creations on Facebook, X, and Instagram using the #WOYC24 hashtag.
Join Artist in Residence Charles Key for open studio sessions! These sessions allow visitors to experience what it means to be a professional artist. During open studio hours, Charles invites conversation with young creators about his artistic process, style, and choices while he completes a piece that will become part of the Discovery Center’s collection.
Included with admission. Free for members.
Graham Cracker Flower Garden
This fun, food-themed program is about more than just cheese and crackers. Cooking together connects math with literacy skills, science, and more. With the rise in childhood obesity, you can encourage healthy nutrition and fitness habits at home and in the classroom. Come create a Graham Cracker Flower Garden with us!
Share the recipes and photos of your creations on Facebook, X, and Instagram using the #WOYC24 hashtag.
Even though Tennessee will only have a partial solar eclipse, Discovery Center will have a full day of fun with special Solar Eclipse STEAM activities!
Join us in The STUDIO for a 4-session series with our Artist in Residence, Charles Key. Charles will help us explore the world of color mixing and colors in nature!
Session 1 - March 24: Egg Plate
Session 2 & 3 - April 7: Caterpillar Plate & Chrysalis Plate
Session 4 - April 14: Butterfly and Flower Plate
Included with admission while supplies last. Free for members.
Explore all things STEAM with different lessons throughout the whole semester.
Join Artist in Residence Charles Key for open studio sessions! These sessions allow visitors to experience what it means to be a professional artist. During open studio hours, Charles invites conversation with young creators about his artistic process, style, and choices while he completes a piece that will become part of the Discovery Center’s collection.
Included with admission. Free for members.
This program is for children ages 1-6 and their caregivers to enjoy hands-on exploratory STEAM learning and play. Enjoy music and motion, stories, guided activities and more with Discovery Center staff!
This program is for children ages 1-6 and their caregivers to enjoy hands-on exploratory STEAM learning and play. Enjoy music and motion, stories, guided activities and more with Discovery Center staff!
Join Artist in Residence Charles Key for open studio sessions! These sessions allow visitors to experience what it means to be a professional artist. During open studio hours, Charles invites conversation with young creators about his artistic process, style, and choices while he completes a piece that will become part of the Discovery Center’s collection.
Included with admission. Free for members.
Ahoy, mateys! It’s time to sail into Spring Break Campology!
Join us in The STUDIO for a 4-session series with our Artist in Residence, Charles Key. Charles will help us explore the world of color mixing and colors in nature!
Session 1 - March 24: Egg Plate
Session 2 & 3 - April 7: Caterpillar Plate & Chrysalis Plate
Session 4 - April 14: Butterfly and Flower Plate
Included with admission while supplies last. Free for members.
Become a biologist with the Discovery Center! These Learning Pods are designed for our older students to utilize tools and discover the inner workings of different organisms.
Join Artist in Residence Charles Key for open studio sessions! These sessions allow visitors to experience what it means to be a professional artist. During open studio hours, Charles invites conversation with young creators about his artistic process, style, and choices while he completes a piece that will become part of the Discovery Center’s collection.
Included with admission. Free for members.
This program is for children ages 1-6 and their caregivers to enjoy hands-on exploratory STEAM learning and play. Enjoy music and motion, stories, guided activities and more with Discovery Center staff!
This program is for children ages 1-6 and their caregivers to enjoy hands-on exploratory STEAM learning and play. Enjoy music and motion, stories, guided activities and more with Discovery Center staff!
Learn about the Earth, the Solar System, and the universe at Discovery Center’s NASA ASTRO CAMP!
Elementary and middle schoolers can explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) through NASA-designed science mission activities.
Program is free to attend with registration and DOES NOT include museum admission.
Sip, savor, and support Discovery Center at our annual Wine & Whiskey event. Come indulge in a delightful array of wines and spirits provided by Stones River Total Beverage. Meet fellow wine and whiskey enthusiasts, mingle with friends, and make new connections while also making a meaningful contribution to Discovery Center’s mission to engage curious minds to fuel the future. We look forward to raising a glass with you!
Adult VIP: $125
Adult Advanced Sale: $60
Adult Door Price: $70
Adult Designated Driver: $15
New! VIP Experience
This year we're so excited to feature an elevated VIP experience. VIP Guests will kick off the night from 5:30-7 PM at the VIP party featuring upscale wines and spirits from Stones River Total Beverages, delicious bites from The Clay Pit, and an opportunity to improve your wine knowledge with Nashville Sommelier, Davis Campbell, of Wines Together. Feel good about supporting a beloved and unique community resource that engages curious minds as you enjoy an unforgettable evening.
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers are needed to assist in serving samples and manning vendor tables.
• Volunteers must work at least one (1) two-hour shift: 5:00 - 7:00 pm or 7:00 - 9:00 pm.
• Volunteers must register separately.
To sponsor, please click here for more details.
With support from: