STEAM Play Achieves Real Knowledge
Mondays & Tuesdays | 9 to 10 a.m.
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math)
Looking for enrichment opportunities for you and your child? Discovery Center’s SPARK! is for children ages 1-6 and their caregivers!
Spark Schedule:
Our Monday–Tuesday SPARK program will take a hiatus this summer, resuming August 13 and 14. However, scroll down for information about SPARK Camp available in June and July!
Sponsored by
For Kids:
- Hands-on exploratory learning & play
- School readiness skill building
- STEAM exploration (science, technology, engineering, art, & math)
- Music & motion, yoga stretches
- Art activities & snacks!
For Parents:
- Family extension ideas
- Social opportunities
- Enhanced adult-child interaction
- STEAM exploration for you, too!
Cost for non-members: $2 for all children ages 1 & up, plus admission for all visitors
Cost for members: $2 for all member children ages 1 & up
Please note: The same activities are presented on Monday and Tuesday; guests may choose to attend either day of the week.
SPARK CAMP
Sparking bright summers for our smallest campers! SPARK Camp is for children ages 4-5 not entering kindergarten in the fall, with a thirst for knowledge and discovery. Each day of camp has a full day or half-day option.
Prices:
Half Day 9:00am – 12:30pm, Non-member $30, Member $25 per day
Full Day 9:00am – 4:00pm, Non-member $40, Member $35 per day
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Beautiful Oops!
June 25 – 29 | July 9 – 13
It’s okay to make a mistake. Beautiful Oops! is all about blunders in art and science that lead to major breakthroughs. Penicillin, the Slinky and pacemakers were all discovered by accident! Campers will use the scientific method to make beautiful art, learn about the art of letting go, and how to embrace anything that comes their way.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Monday, June 25th / July 9th – Color Day
Is black a color, and what makes a red ball red? We are investigating all things color on Monday. Learn about how many colors it takes to make a rainbow, what color our shadows are, and create some very colorful art.
 |
 |
Tuesday, June 26th / July 10th – Let’s Paint!
Calling all artists! Today is all about the art of paint. Painting activities will range from the simplest painting with a brush or hands to more elaborate marble painting, painting with bubbles, and making our own puffy paint.
 |
 |
Wednesday, June 27th / July 11th – Paper Day
“A torn piece of paper…is just the beginning.” Today in camp we will be exploring all things paper! We will use different art techniques to create paper masterpieces.
 |
 |
Thursday, June 28th / July 12th – Mixed Media Art Day
Today is all about exploring some of the most famous masters and styles in art! Campers will use various materials and techniques such as wire, clay, pastels, found objects, paper, paint, and much more to create works of art!
 |
 |
Friday, June 29th / July 13th – Scientific Method Day
Science and art might seem very different, but the processes used are very similar! Today we will be exploring how art and science overlap through hands-on art projects and experiments. Whether we are creating the best goo, adding lemon juice to watercolors, or exploring gravity and pendulums through paint, science is present, and art is the result!
 |
 |
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Rainforest Adventure
June 11 – 15 | July 23 – 27
This week we will be using all of our senses to emerge ourselves in the rainforest. Take a walk through the Murfree Springs wetlands, see similarities and differences of our ecosystems, and meet a few of our furry friends from the rainforest! Campers will learn how they can impact the rainforest from Tennessee and create their own plan to help save these endangered areas.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Monday, June 11th / July 23rd – Rainforest Wonders
Would you believe there is a place where birds can have tails as long as a yardstick and the amount of rainfall each year is as much as a tall adult? Campers will use all their senses to learn about the beautiful rainforest ecosystem, where they are in the world, what plants and creatures live there, and what they can do to help the rainforest from here in Tennessee.
 |
 |
Tuesday, June 12th / July 24th – All about Mammals
What do monkeys, tigers, bats, and sloths all have in common? They’re all mammals! What is a mammal and where do they live? Campers will get the chance to discover the answers to those questions and more through hands-on lessons, crafts, and animal encounters with our very own Discovery Center mammals.
 |
 |
Wednesday, June 13th / July 25th – Rainforest Birds
Rainforest birds are colorful and noisy! Explore the upper layers of the rainforest and learn about the many species of birds that live there. Campers will investigate the characteristics of birds and their habitat and compare them to the birds of our wetlands.
 |
 |
Thursday, June 14th / July 26th – Cold-blooded creatures
Rainforests are home to many amazing reptiles and amphibians. Campers get up close with these animals as well as learn about their habitat, lifestyle, and many other unique characteristics.
 |
 |
Friday, June 15th / July 27th – Creepy Crawlies
Rainforests are swarming with all sorts of amazing insects; some colorful, some scary, and some very strange looking. These rainforest animals play an important role in maintaining the health of the forest. We’ll be going on a bug hunt to discover the insects in our own backyards and how they may be like the insects found in the rainforest.
 |
 |
