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The Tech Challenge
Registration for The Tech Challenge 2026 is open!
More details about the challenge, including the rules, can be found below. Click the button below to register your team now!
Where can you learn engineering design skills, discover how to solve real-world problems, practice working collaboratively and have a whole lot of fun at the same time?
Now in its 39th year, The Tech Challenge invites teams of students in Grades 4-12 to use the engineering design process to solve a real-world problem. Participants spend months collaborating and becoming deeply engaged in the challenge while documenting their progress and designs. The program culminates in an inspiring showcase in April where teams put their solutions to the test in front of judges.
The 2026 scenario:
The Bay Area is in need of low-cost housing! This year's challenge is to design a device that easily builds affordable housing for all people. How might you accurately lift housing modules into place?
The challenge: Design, build, test, and demonstrate an innovative lifting device that transfers housing modules from one place to another at a construction site.
2026 Freebie!
Every registered team gets one (1) wooden module for testing at home or at school! These are the same type of modules that will be used on Showcase day.
Ways to pick up your module:
- Sign up and attend a Team and Adviser Kick-Off event
- Sign up and attend an in-person Test Trials event
- Out of the area? Email us at challenge@thetech.org for shipping inquiries.
Starting January 2nd, you can also pick up your team’s (1) module by visiting our partners at Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT) at 1355 Ridder Park Dr, San Jose, CA 95131.
Go to their membership desk Tuesday-Sunday, from 9AM-4PM and give them your team number.
Note: They cannot give you a second module if your team has already received one at another event.
