Skip Navigation
Our Mission
To inspire the innovator in everyone.
The Tech
The Tech is a mission driven organization that develops the next generation of problem-solvers locally, nationally and globally, through the creation and distribution of world-class immersive STEAM education resources. We believe that everyone is born an innovator who can change the world for the better. The Tech draws its strength from its location at the center of Silicon Valley: from its founding and leadership, its mission and operating philosophy, its commitment to innovation and making a difference in the lives of young people. The Tech is truly a community resource that gives back to and draws power from the inspiring ecosystem it calls home.
The Tech Interactive
The Tech Interactive is a world class science and technology center in the heart of the Silicon Valley that welcomes over 250,000 visitors a year. Visitors are encouraged to explore the 130,000 square feet of hands-on activities, exploratory labs and design challenge experiences as well as interactive exhibits on climate change, robotics, innovations in healthcare, cybersecurity and more. The center is also home to the largest IMAX Dome Theater on the West Coast, offering educational films and the occasional Hollywood blockbuster.
The Tech Challenge
The Tech Challenge is the 35-year-old signature program of The Tech that invites teams of students in Grades 4-12 to use the engineering design process to solve a real-world problem. Participants spend months collaborating and becoming deeply engaged in the challenge while documenting their progress and designs. The Tech is an expert in the practice of Design Challenge Learning, a combination of project-based learning and engineering design, with a strong belief in the power of hands-on experiences to inspire young people to learn and gain confidence in science, technology and engineering. This deliberate practice is at the heart of everything The Tech does, both for young people and for educators who want to learn how to bring inspiring STEM curricula into their classrooms.
The Tech Academies
The Tech Academies is a dedicated professional development program for teachers to bring STEM curricula into classrooms throughout the Bay Area.
The Tech for Global Good
The Tech for Global Good (formally The Tech Awards) have focused on inspiring problem solvers to tackle the planet’s toughest challenges, like climate change, clean water and access to health care.
Support The Tech
To support The Tech is to support an organization that is profoundly deepening its impact in Silicon Valley.
-
1/6 items
-
2/6 items
-
3/6 items
-
4/6 items
-
5/6 items
-
6/6 items
Our History
The history of The Tech is rooted in the history of Silicon Valley. In 1939, the first Silicon Valley “start-up” was founded by two unknown Stanford graduates, William Hewlett and David Packard. Since then many other innovators have followed in their path, and Silicon Valley has become where the world looks for the latest in technology.
In 1978, as the Valley was exploding with innovation, an idea began to take shape. Shouldn’t the world and more importantly, the children in Silicon Valley be able to learn more about the technology that was being developed? The Junior League of Palo Alto and the Junior League of San Jose proposed a center for hands-on science and technology learning to showcase the incredible innovators in the region. In 1990, The Garage opened on San Carlos Street in the former home of downtown San Jose’s convention center. It quickly became a valuable educational resource for children and young adults.
Work then began on a more permanent and expanded facility. Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta was selected to design The Tech Museum of Innovation. Legorreta is known for his distinctive architectural style of buildings of Mexican origin: vibrant colors, geometric shapes, fountains, light-filled spaces, and intimate patios. His design featured a 132,000-square-foot building in a distinctive mango and azure color with a domed theater.
Since opening in 1998, The Tech Interactive (formerly the Tech Museum of Innovation) has welcomed more than 10 million visitors.