Bring us your tired and worn, plastic or broken action figures and we’ll send them to Toy Lab in Cincinnati. It’s a great alternative to throwing them in the trash! At Toy Lab, kids will make new toys out of your broken plastic action figures. You’ll be doing a lot of great things: getting rid of old toy clutter, avoiding a landfill, sharing an important conservation lesson with your kids, and contributing to a youth arts and science program. Toy Lab is a project of Happen, Inc. Last March, the Discovery Center collected 30 pounds of plastic toys; this time our goal is 50 pounds. Won’t you please help us?

Get in the holiday spirit during this festive event. Children will be able to learn about rocks and minerals and make and take a polished stone necklace. Then, they can enjoy all of the hands-on activities in the Discovery Center with their families. All visitors welcome.

Bring a toilet paper or paper towel tube and we’ll show you some creative ways to re-use these ubiquitous little tubes. Some of the ideas are artistic and others are quite practical, but all are fun.

Visit the Smead Discovery Center and enjoy many hands-on opportunities for all ages.

Diabetes is one of the fastest growing health problems in Northeast Ohio. It affects both adults and kids. This program will help families prevent and deal with diabetes. Health educators will explain the science of diabetes in ways that adults and kids can understand. What are the different types of diabetes? How can you support a family member with diabetes? What choices can you make that will diminish your likelihood of getting diabetes? Bring your entire family; the information is beneficial for everyone from 1 to 101. This program is inspired by the Museum’s exhibition Through the Eyes of the Eagle: Illustrating Healthy Living for Children, which is based on the book series that educates children about diabetes by incorporating the Native American tradition of storytelling.

Discovery Center Coordinator Beth Gatchell will read stories and play and sing songs about nature and science. Drop in at any time during this program to see and hear something interesting. Bring your voice, dancing feet, or just your listening ears and get ready for a good time! All ages welcome.

Today will be a little bit of everything! We’ve amassed a variety of educational, craft projects over the years, and we will open up our cupboards and share all sorts of science and nature crafts. Come with your curiosity and leave with your handiwork and knowledge about the importance of native plants and animals. There will be something for everyone, so bring the whole family!

This program is back by popular demand. Why worms? Will it stink? What do they eat? When can I use the compost? Join us to find out. We’ll show you how to make a composting worm bin out of a 2 liter bottle. You’ll get worms, the bottle, instructions and a down-to-earth good time. Composting is a great way to reduce, reuse and recycle and see the results in a short time. Fun for the whole family! Please bring your own clear, clean and empty 2 liter pop bottle (a.k.a. worm house).

Discovery Center Coordinator Beth Gatchell will read stories and play and sing songs about nature and science. Drop in at any time during this program to see and hear something interesting. Bring your voice, dancing feet, or just your listening ears and get ready for a good time! All ages welcome.