Сан-Хоседегі ғылым және технология орталығы

Science and technology center in San Jose, California, United States

The Tech Interactive (formerly The Tech Museum of Innovation, commonly known as The Tech) is a science and technology center that offers hands on activities, labs, design challenges and other STEAM education resources. It is located in downtown San Jose, California, adjacent to the Plaza de César Chávez.

Planning began in 1978 by members of the Junior League of Palo Alto, with later assistance by the San Jose Junior League. The City of San Jose promised funding for a Technology Center of Silicon Valley in the 1980s, but progress was slow. In May 2019, the organization was renamed as The Tech Interactive and announced a partnership with Discovery Education. During the COVID 19 pandemic, The Tech Interactive temporarily closed for in person visits in March, 2020, and published online STEM resources through "The Tech Interactive at Home", in English, and "The Tech Interactive en Casa", in Spanish.

The Tech for Global Good is a program aimed at inspiring young people to become problem solvers who make the world a better place. It evolved from The Tech Awards, a yearly ceremony known as the Oscars of Silicon Valley in which individuals and organizations were recognized for their technological contributions to improving the human condition. In 2016, The Tech announced it was expanding The Tech Awards program from a once a year event to a year round program with educational materials and exhibits. Since then, Tech for Global Good has focused every year on a different theme, such as health care or data. It honors organizations under that theme as its laureates for the year, focusing on their problem solving abilities in lesson plans, videos and other materials for students.

The Tech Challenge is a design challenge competition for students Grades 4–12. Since its inception in 1988, more than 25,000 students have participated in the program, in which teams of students use the engineering design process to solve a real world problem. In past years, participants have been asked to design and build a hovercraft; a structure to withstand an earthquake; and a device to deliver water, among other challenges. One of the program's key goals is to engage students underrepresented in STEM fields.

The Tech Academies program, launched in 2014, provides in depth professional development for educators to help them integrate high quality STEM curriculum in their classrooms in Silicon Valley. The two year Tech Academies Fellowship program, through The Tech and San José State University’s College of Science, trains educators in STEM instruction, with a focus on engineering and computer science. In 2020, the Tech Academies program received the EdCom award for Innovation in Museum Education from the American Alliance of Museums, and in 2019 it won the Excellence in Museum Education award from the California Association of Museums and the office of the state superintendent of education.

The Tech offers in person and virtual field trips to school groups from September to June each year. The Tech offers field trip scholarships to underserved schools.

Social Robots: Using sensors, controllers, and actuators, this exhibit allows visitors to design and build robots. Body Motion: Sensors in this exhibit allow visitors to see how their movement and interactions affect their physical, social, and emotional health. Space Exploration: This exhibit showcases innovations in space, including a maneuverable Jet Pack chair. Solve for Earth: This exhibit opened in 2021 and teaches guests about living sustainably and how their actions impact the environment, highlighting the work of scientists and emerging technologies to battle the climate crisis. The Tech Studio: An open to the public workshop space where visitors participate in maker style activities.

Body Worlds Decoded: Opened on October 15, 2017, this permanent exhibition in partnership with Body Worlds and sponsored by venture capitalist John Doerr and his wife Ann, features plastinated human anatomical specimens, supplemented by augmented reality created in partnership with the Institute for the Future and an Anatomage virtual dissection table. The Tech for Global Good: Opened in 2017, this exhibit features stories of innovators who have used technology to create solutions to pressing global problems, such as vaccine delivery, homelessness, and wildlife poaching. It is a part of the Tech for Global Good program. Reboot Reality: Opened on May 26, 2017, visitors to this space can experience various types of immersive media. Innovations in Healthcare: Presented by El Camino Hospital, this exhibit opened in 2016 and showcases the innovation process as seen in advances in health care technology. Biodesign Studio: Opened in 2016, this exhibit allows visitors an exploration of the fields of synthetic biology, bioengineering, biological design, and DIY biology.