The Tech Challenge Showcase Returns April 29+30

by admin

Thank you to The Tech Interactive for sponsoring today’s announcement.

The Tech Challenge Showcase is making its in-person return this year on April 29 and April 30 after three virtual years. The Tech Challenge, presented by Amazon, is a Silicon Valley tradition over 35 years old that invites teams of students in Grades 4-12 to use the engineering design process to solve a real-world problem. While the program is based in the Bay Area, this year team sign-ups have come from as far as Hawaii and Virginia.

surprised child wearing bike helmet in a group of others
Teams come up with devices that will shock & impress for The Tech Challenge | Photo: The Tech Interactive

This year the challenge is called “Survive the Storm”. Students are asked to build a structure to protect vulnerable objects (empty aluminum cans) from extreme winds. As we’ve seen this year, powerful storms are becoming more and more common for folks here in the Bay Area and around the world.

Register a team before March 31 and join a program that includes:

    • A problem-solving challenge that helps young people build their confidence in science, technology, engineering, and math.
    • A great opportunity for groups to build leadership, teamwork, and flexibility skills.
    • An exciting in-person event with awards and a costume contest.
    • A chance to win! All teams that register before March 31 will be entered into a drawing to win a family membership to The Tech Interactive.

Learn more about The Tech Challenge and register your team>

3 kids in animal onesies smiling and working together on a tech challenge
Learn teamwork and leadership skills while working together on a solution related to a real-world problem. | Photo: The Tech Interactive

“We always try to make the challenge a relevant topic that young people care about. What we’ve found at The Tech Challenge, is that if you can show young people that they can solve big problems, it inspires a lifelong passion for science, technology, engineering, and math.”
~ Abby Longcor, Senior Director of The Tech Challenge

3 kids in pink cheering their success
Feel proud after seeing your ideas come to fruition | Photo: The Tech Interactive

Over the years, The Tech Challenge has shown tremendous success in developing 21st-century skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and perseverance. Also, unlike many engineering competitions, The Tech Challenge has traditionally recruited large numbers of girls.

What is the day of the competition like?
  • Crowds cheer young innovators—some dressed up in outrageous costumes—as they excitedly step up to present their creations to encouraging judges.
  • Shared anticipation in the air as groups of kid scientists set up their devices to attempt The Tech Challenge in real-time. Will the structure they’re assembling be enough to protect the fragile stacks of aluminum cans from high-powered industrial fans?
  • Giant monitors show a live feed of the hardworking, young teams as they prepare to start their test. Everyone holds their breath together as the blades on the fans begin to turn.

Register before Friday, March 31! Teams can consist of friends from different schools or the same class. Team advisors can be parents, teachers, or any adult. The cost is $50 per team (free for Title 1 schools and after-school programs).
Learn more about the program and register your team>

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Photo: The Tech Interactive

Plan your visit to The Tech Interactive in San Jose

The Tech Interactive, in Downtown San Jose, has a bunch of hands-on exhibits and experiences interesting to parents and kids alike. It makes perfect sense that Silicon Valley has a giant museum geared toward STEAM.

Address: The Tech Interactive at 201 S. Market St., San Jose
Rates: $22 for children, students, and seniors; $27 for adults; Under-three FREE; IMAX tickets are extra
Website >

Membership perks: 100% tax deductible, members-only access during monthly member hour, half-off educational IMAX films, unlimited general admission for a year, half-off general admission and IMAX educational films for your guests, and 10% off purchases at The Tech Store, The Tech Cafe and IMAX concession stand. Members of The Tech Interactive also receive free or reduced admission to more than 300 science and technology centers worldwide through the Association of Science & Technology Centers (ASTC) Passport Program, including 50% off admission at the following Bay Area Institutions: The Lawrence Hall of Science (University of California, Berkeley), Chabot Space and Science Center (Oakland), Lindsay Wildlife Experience (Walnut Creek), CuriOdyssey (San Mateo), Children’s Creativity Museum (San Francisco), Happy Hollow Park & Zoo (San Jose); and members of these places will save half* at The Tech (more info found here)

* You’ll want to double-check these discounts before you go; they can change.

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Thank you to The Tech Interactive for sponsoring today’s announcement.
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