For most people Memorial Day weekend means a three-day holiday and a time to remember those who have given service to our country. It is also time to spend with family. One creative way of spending time with the family is to go to the Discovery Museum from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. to see the top 20 images from the Nikon Small World competition.

The winning works of 20 photographers from the Nikon Small World photomicrography competition are on a nation tour, and they will be on display at the Discovery Museum until July 15.

Celebrating its 37th year, Nikon Small World is the oldest and most respected competition that uses a light microscope to create images.

While this is the only exhibition in California, three of the top images were taken in this state. Other top photographs were taken in Germany, China, Italy, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland and other parts of the United States.

This year’s subjects were magnified up to 2,000 times to highlight features people can’t see with the naked eye. Some of the subject matter to expect is familiar and others are very obscure. See the entire gallery online.

“There’s such a beautiful universe that’s around us that you can’t see with the aided eye that we don’t even know about,” museum community manager Beth Callahan said.

Visitors can also enjoy other exhibits and extended hours at the museum this holiday weekend.

Since the exhibit opened, a microscope station has been available to see varying slide samples each weekend. This weekend, butterfly wings will be available.

Another option for children is to participate in the museum-wide scavenger hunt “Search and Find” to learn more about science and nature at 20 displays, including the “Rockin’ Rocks and Diggin’ Dinosaurs” exhibit.

A robot construction lab, live animals and the only domed planetarium in Sacramento are also available to experience for all age groups.

Learn more at the Discovery Museum website.