Students make some noise with the 35th annual The Tech Challenge

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Young innovators got creative and loud with The Tech Challenge: Kinetic Commotion, presented by Amazon on April 30 and May 1. This year, the annual youth engineering design program asked teams of students to design a device that uses stored energy to create a series of sounds. Teams used materials like wind-up toys, dominoes, balloons, windchimes and xylophones to build devices they demonstrated for judges in a virtual showcase last weekend.

"The Tech Challenge gave me a better understanding of the engineering systems process by actually experiencing it," said Christine Ryu, a ninth-grader who enjoyed learning how to use a miter saw to build their project. "It's a really fun, social and active way to meet new people and get the creative juices flowing."

More than 1,000 students participated in the main program this year along with thousands more who got a taste of engineering through mini-activities and other offerings. The signature program of The Tech invites teams of students in Grades 4 to 12 to use engineering design to solve a real-world problem. It reinforces 21st-century skills including creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, perseverance and learning from failure.

"The Tech Challenge is one of the most important ways we spark STEAM interest and build the skills and confidence our next generation of leaders needs to solve our world's biggest challenges," said Katrina Stevens, The Tech's President and CEO. "It's always inspiring to see young minds work together in innovative ways."

Awards will be announced Monday, May 9, at 4 p.m. For information, visit The Tech Challenge website.

The Tech Challenge presenting sponsor is Amazon; the virtual platform partner is Zoom; with additional support from eBay; Intel; Seagate; Thermo Fisher Scientific; Accenture; Adobe; AMD; Arm; EY; Ford Motor Company; Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Google; Marvell; Mayfield; Renesas Electronics; and Synaptics.

About The Tech Interactive
The Tech Interactive is a family-friendly science and technology center in the heart of downtown San Jose. Our hands-on activities, experimental labs and design challenge experiences empower people to innovate with creativity, curiosity and compassion. The Tech is a world leader in the creation of immersive STEAM education resources to develop the next generation of problem-solvers locally, nationally and globally. We believe that everyone is born an innovator who can change the world for the better.

Media Contact: Marika Krause, [email protected]

SOURCE The Tech Museum of Innovation