Press Release:
Students innovate in unprecedented times with 34th annual The Tech Challenge
April 26, 2021, San Jose, CA — Young innovators put their perseverance and problem-solving skills to the test April 24 and 25 during The Tech Challenge: Ultimate Upcycle, presented by Zoom Video Communications. This year, the youth engineering program asked students to build a useful item out of cardboard that transforms into something else. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this is the first year every aspect of the yearlong program was run virtually.
“I never thought of engineering and technology as something I would ever do, but this experience made me realize I love building things and coming up with new solutions especially with friends,” said Jordyn Rose, a middle school student whose team built a backpack that transforms into a bowling game.
More than 1,200 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 Tech Challenge, a signature program of The Tech, invites teams of students in Grades 4–12 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 participants impress us every year with their ingenuity and improved problem-solving and confidence. We are honored to help equip them with the skills they’ll need to grow into tomorrow’s leaders,” said The Tech’s President and CEO Katrina Stevens.
Awards will be announced Sunday, May 2, at 3 p.m. For more information, visit The Tech Challenge website.
Key supporters for The Tech Challenge program include presenting sponsor Zoom Video Communications with additional support from PwC Charitable Foundation, Arm, eBay, Barbara and Bill Heil, Intel, Seagate, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Accenture, Adobe, Amazon, Bank of America, EY, Ford Motor Company, Google, Lockheed Martin, Marvell, Mayfield, Park Habitat, Renesas, Synaptics, Xilinx.
Media Contact:
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A team of middle school students transforms their strider into a kids bike for The Tech Challenge, Ultimate Upcycle, presented by Zoom Video Communications.
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.
Inspiring the innovator in everyone.