The Tech Interactive

Stop on Silicon Valley Tech Heritage Tour, a free self-guided tour.

The Tech Interactive (formerly The Tech Museum of Innovation) in downtown San Jose is a hands-on science and technology center showcasing Silicon Valley's innovative spirit. The distinctive bright blue building houses 132,000 square feet of interactive galleries exploring themes including communication, space exploration, biotechnology, and sustainable design. Exhibits change regularly but consistently emphasize hands-on learning and creative problem-solving. Visitors can design and test their own earthquake-resistant structures, program robots, experience virtual reality, create digital art, and explore how technology impacts daily life. The Bio Design Studio allows experimentation with biotechnology tools. The Social Robots exhibit demonstrates AI and human-robot interaction. The museum's IMAX theater screens educational films on a massive screen. The Tech Awards program, established in 2000, recognizes innovators worldwide who apply technology to benefit humanity, exemplifying Silicon Valley's idealistic view of technology's potential. The museum particularly excels at inspiring young people to pursue science and engineering careers. Its downtown San Jose location makes it accessible, and the focus on interactive learning rather than static displays reflects the region's educational philosophy. The Tech represents Silicon Valley's belief that everyone should have opportunities to understand and participate in technological innovation.