Reach New Heights: “Above and Beyond” Lands at The Discovery

Reach New Heights: “Above and Beyond” Lands at The Discovery

by Katie Silva

This spring, Reno is taking flight in a whole new way. From May 2026 to January 2027, The Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum invites visitors to experience Above and Beyond, an immersive exhibition that explores the past, present, and future of aerospace innovation.

At its core, Above and Beyond celebrates the power of innovation and the imagination that drives it. Spanning 5,000 square feet, the exhibition brings together interactive simulations, hands-on design challenges, historic milestones, and bold visions of the future. Along the way, it highlights the people and ideas that have shaped aviation and continue to push it forward.

Design and test your own supersonic jet, pilot a drone into extreme weather, or step into an experience that lets you move like a bird in flight. You can even take a simulated journey to the edge of space, exploring what travel beyond our atmosphere might one day look like.

Developed in collaboration with Boeing and created to mark a century of aviation progress, the exhibition transforms complex scientific concepts into something tangible, engaging, and easy to explore. A high-definition film introduces the experience, setting the stage for a series of interactive galleries that invite curiosity and discovery at every turn.

Packed with immersive media, concept models, and hands-on challenges, Above and Beyond invites visitors to explore what it truly takes to turn the impossible into reality. It is an experience designed to spark curiosity in all ages, especially those who may one day find themselves designing aircraft, piloting missions, or reaching even further into space.

Exhibition Highlights

Beyond the Limits
Begin your journey in an immersive wraparound theater that captures the emotional thrill of flight and innovation. Stunning visuals and surround sound draw you into humanity’s ongoing quest to reach new heights and push past what once seemed impossible.

Full Throttle
Put your creativity to the test by designing your own supersonic jet. Apply aerodynamic principles and see how your design performs in a high-speed virtual race that brings the science of flight to life.

Spread Your Wings
Step into a motion-based experience that lets you fly like a bird. Using your own movements to guide the journey, you will explore the forces of flight while gliding alongside a virtual flock.

Elevator to Space
Take a simulated ride from Earth to orbit aboard a futuristic space elevator. Along the way, interactive visuals and a virtual guide introduce the technology and discoveries shaping the future of space travel.

Since opening in 2011, The Discovery has become a cornerstone for hands-on learning in Northern Nevada. What began as a children’s museum has evolved into a dynamic science center that welcomes curious minds of all ages, offering ever-changing exhibits designed to inspire exploration. With Above and Beyond, that mission reaches new heights, inviting the community to experience the wonder of flight and the future of aerospace in a way that is as engaging as it is unforgettable.

The Discovery is located at 490 S. Center Street in Reno. Learn more at nvdm.org.