Editing The Tech Interactive (section)

== Programs ==

=== The Tech for Global Good ===
{{main|The Tech Awards}}
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<ref>{{Cite web|last=May|first=Patrick|date=2014-11-13|title=Silicon Valley honors 2014 Tech Award winners|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2014/11/13/silicon-valley-honors-2014-tech-award-winners/|access-date=2021-05-14|website=The Mercury News|language=en-US}}</ref> in which individuals and organizations were recognized for their technological contributions to improving the human condition. In 2016, The Tech announced<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morgan|first=James C.|date=2016-11-18|title=Morgan: Tech Awards grow into 'The Tech for Global Good'|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/11/18/morgan-tech-awards-grow-into-the-tech-for-global-good/|access-date=2021-05-14|website=The Mercury News|language=en-US}}</ref> it was expanding The Tech Awards program<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-11-17|title=Tech Museum of Innovation Announces Expansion of The Tech Awards|url=https://www.thetech.org/tech-museum-of-innovation-announces-expansion-of-the-tech-awards|access-date=2021-05-11|website=The Tech Interactive|language=en}}</ref> from a once-a-year event to a year-round program with educational materials and exhibits.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-10-30|title=The Tech for Global Good|url=https://www.thetech.org/tech-global-good|access-date=2021-05-11|website=The Tech Interactive|language=en}}</ref> 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,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Gary|date=2019-11-06|title=Silicon Alleys: Global Good Awards Honors Innovators {{!}} Metroactive|url=https://www.metroactive.com/features/columns/Silicon-Alleys-Global-Good-Awards.html|access-date=2021-05-14|website=www.metroactive.com}}</ref> focusing on their problem-solving abilities in lesson plans, videos and other materials<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Tech for Global Good|url=https://techfortomorrow.com/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=techfortomorrow.com|language=en}}</ref> for students.

=== The Tech Challenge ===
The Tech Challenge is a design challenge competition for students Grades 4–12.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Tech Challenge - About Us | publisher = The Tech Museum of Innovation | url = http://thetechchallenge.thetech.org/about-us | access-date = 2013-03-14 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web | title = Cupertino Students Blow Out the Tech Challenge | website= Cupertino Patch | date= 23 April 2013 | url = http://cupertino.patch.com/groups/schools/p/cupertino-students-blow-out-the-tech-challenge | access-date = 2014-02-06 }}</ref>

=== The Tech Academies ===
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 Jose State University|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]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-11-21|title=EdCom Award for Innovation in Museum Education|url=https://www.aam-us.org/programs/awards-competitions/edcom-award-for-innovation-in-museum-education/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=American Alliance of Museums|language=en-US}}</ref> and in 2019 it won the Excellence in Museum Education award from the California Association of Museums<ref>{{Cite web|title=Excellence in Museum Education Awardees 2019 - Excellence in Museum Education Award (CA Dept of Education)|url=https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/me/awardees2019.asp|access-date=2021-05-11|website=www.cde.ca.gov}}</ref> and the office of the state superintendent of education.

=== School programs ===
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.