News

Ring in the new year at our first-ever Noon Year's Eve at our new location! Enjoy activities, music, raffle prizes, and a countdown to a 22,000 balloon drop at noon. Coffee, hot chocolate, and breakfast will be available for purchase at Bean Sprouts. Get your tickets early before they sell out! Museum will be closed after the event. Tickets on Sale now! Read More

Field Trip Outlook for the week of 11.29 - 12.2 Read More

You can learn about science in spooky ways at Tulsa's Discovery Lab. Concoctions are brewing in the science lab, and what's spookier than fog on Halloween? A few experiments show how it's made. There are a few different ways to create fog just like you see in the sky. Director of Education Chip Lindsey said one way is to put a piece of dry ice in warm water. He said the dry ice makes a cold layer of air and the warm water surrounding it makes fog. Another way is t... Read More

In 2002, the International Animated Film Association (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation) created this unofficial holiday to commemorate the day when animation had its first public appearance. That was October 28, 1892, at the Grévin Museum in Paris, when Charles-Émile Reynaud and his Théâtre Optique presented his first production, “Pantomimes Lumineuses.” It was a collection of three cartoons, ‘Pauvre Pierrot,’ ‘... Read More

The Third Floor at Discovery Lab is Tulsa's newest venue for weddings, corporate, and private events. Offering unparalleled views of downtown Tulsa and the Arkansas River, the space (both inside and outside) easily accommodates up to 450 guests. We've already hosted several amazing weddings and private events on the third floor, and we're looking forward to seeing many of our corporate friends in December as they celebrate the holidays both upstairs AND downstairs with their emplo... Read More

Event Family Friendly News

Tulsans are celebrating their city and showing community pride on 918 Day. Many businesses are joining the fifth annual festivities by giving discounts. Some businesses and museums like the discovery lab are already in the 918 Day spirit. "918 Day is really a great source of pride for Tulsans I think, and it's great to be able to take part in the celebration," says Discovery Lab Director of Marketing and Sales Beth Donica. Find out more here. Read More

Family Fun Science STEAM Tulsa

The Discovery Lab is one of the Tulsa-based businesses getting involved, with offering half-price tickets of $5 to police officers, fire fighters and people with EMSA. "At Discovery Lab, we hope for caregivers, parents to engage, and play right alongside their children," said Executive Director Dr. Ray Vandiver. Find out more here. Read More

Discovery Lab Learning Science STEAM

There's always something new to learn at Tulsa’s Discovery Lab and this month’s experiment shows how electricity and magnets go together. "The very fascinating thing about electromagnets and electromagnetism is that it powers a lot of things that we take for granted every day,” said Chip Lindsey, Director of Education at Discovery Lab. Learn all about it at NewsOn6. Read More

Discovery Lab Learning Science STEAM

The Discovery Lab is now on track to welcome 300,000 visitors by the end of this year. The Discovery Lab -- which began as a children's museum without walls in 2007, then opened its original facility in the Owen Park Recreation Center in 2013, and then relocated to its new, 57,000-square-foot building next to the Gathering Place earlier this year -- is an educational gem in the crown of Tulsa. Listen to Studio Tulsa to find out more. Read More

Community Discovery Lab Learning Science STEAM

Discovery Lab at the Gathering Place is always teaching kids and adults something new. One experiment focuses on sounds and vibrations. It explains how when you combine everyday objects, they can make extraordinary sounds. Science is full of surprises. Discovery Lab’s Director of Education Chip Lindsey said it's all about knowing how to use to the tools. Find out more here. Read More

Discovery Lab Learning Science STEAM

Mama, when I’m grown up, “I want to work at Discovery Lab so I can have the keys and come here all the time!” My five-year-old grandson recently said this to his mother, and I can’t think of a better recommendation for Discovery Lab! It’s a big hit for families and kids of all ages. When my daughter asks her kids what they want to do, it’s a unanimous decision to go to Discovery Lab. Find out more at Tulsa Kids. Read More

Community Family Friendly Family Fun STEAM

There’s a heat wave lingering in Tulsa with temperatures hitting triple digits. Summertime activities become dangerous when the sun is beaming on the hot pavement. Discovery Lab offers a safe place for curious minds in a hands-on, sweat-free environment. From the moment of entry, the vast, cool space and welcoming staff will ensure a refreshing visit without the misery of the simmering heat. Residing on the exhibit floor are high facilitation laboratory areas designed to ignite... Read More

Discovery Lab Science STEAM STEM Summer

On June 20, 2022, Discovery Lab surpassed the milestone of welcoming more than 100,000 visitors since opening at 31st and Riverside in January of this year. The Children's Museum has already exceeded the annual admission attendance when located at Owen Park. Discovery Lab projects to impact over 300,000 children and families each year at the new site. The museum is an educational resource for Tulsa providing outreach museum classes to area schools and organizations, and as a field... Read More

Discovery Lab News STEAM STEM

The definition of origami is the Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures. Ori means folding and kami means paper. (kami changes to gami due to rendaku). Origami is an activity for any age group. Let your mind flow with creativity while folding dragons, boxes, cups and so much more. No matter the shape or design, the piece is yours to make unique just for you. The practice of origami does take a lot of time, patience and focus. With every fold and crease, bonds and ... Read More

Art Discovery Lab STEAM

Adults were finally able to visit Discovery Lab for on their own this past Thursday for Discovery After Dark. The Museum hosted its first adult night featuring local food trucks, Ruth's Chicken and V'Fresco, alongside local brews from Dead Armadillo Craft Brewing. Attendees sorted balls in Ballapalooza, saw fabric fly in Fans and Fabric, and created windmills in the WorkShop - all while having a beer in hand. During regular operating hours at the Museum, every guest must h... Read More

Discovery Lab Science STEAM STEM

June 1, 2022, marks a milestone 10th anniversary for Discovery Lab's Executive Director/CEO Raymond J. Vandiver, Ph.D. In 2007, a group of moms in a playroom discussed the need for a children's museum in Tulsa. Tulsa Children's Museum/Discovery Lab was born and upon opening, Vandiver was named Executive Director at the original location in Owen Park. When asked about his past 10 years at the Lab, he stated that resilience and grit are key—recovering quickly when thin... Read More

Community Leadership STEAM

Why did you choose to volunteer at Discovery Lab? I love the concept; it is close to home and I have spent many years in children’s programming. What is your favorite thing about volunteering at Discovery Lab? I love the children’s anticipation when they see the Lab and their joy is contagious. What have you learned during your time at the museum? I love the exhibits; they are very interactive and there is something for every age. What do you do in your extra s... Read More

Community Discovery Lab STEM Volunteer

Briana-Miracle Louis is currently a psychology student at Oral Roberts University (ORU) with hopes of becoming a family councilor. Why did you choose to volunteer at Discovery Lab? I love spending time with kids and seeing the creativity flow, while they are inspired by the educational activities and conducive learning. What is your favorite thing about volunteering at Discovery Lab? I enjoy seeing the sparks in children's minds while they learn new things! What... Read More

Discovery Lab Science STEM Volunteer

On April 9, 2022, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP) hosted its 15th annual Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards. This year the OKCNP announced Discovery Lab had won the 2022 Education category, sponsored by Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies and Glenna and Richard Tanenbaum. Additionally, Discovery Lab was awarded the top award of the evening, the 2022 J. Jerry Dickman Award for Excellence, and received a $10,000 grant sponsored by The Tulsa Community Foundation... Read More

Discovery Lab Non Profit STEM Team