Seismic Valley: The Earthquake Experience

The Tech Interactive is excited to announce a brand new earthquake exhibit, Seismic Valley: The Earthquake Experience, in Summer of 2027.  

At the heart of the exhibit is the Seismic Valley Library, an immersive earthquake simulator that places guests inside a realistic environment as an earthquake rumbles the room around them.  They’ll watch shelves rattle and books shift as they experience quakes of all sizes, from small tremors to powerful magnitude 8 events.

But the shaking is only the beginning, because inside this unforgettable experience will be the stories of the people, families, and organizations who helped make it possible.

Stories of Impact puts our supporters into the story. Instead of a traditional donor wall, supporters will be recognized with custom books placed directly inside the Seismic Valley Library. Each book becomes part of the exhibit, part of the action, and part of the story of our community. 

Choose a title. Dedicate it to someone special. Celebrate your family, company, or commitment to hands-on science learning. At select giving levels, your book can also feature custom cover art, making your story even more visible in the experience.

Choose Your Book and Donate Today

When the earthquake begins, books and objects will move with the exhibit, helping bring Seismic Valley to life for students, families, and future innovators.

Your gift supports The Tech’s nonprofit mission to inspire the innovator in everyone through hands-on STEAM education, inclusive programming, and low-cost field trips for local schools.

This is your chance to be more than a name on a wall. Put your story at the epicenter of innovation.

Each sponsored book includes:

• A custom book title, your name, family name, company, or dedication listed as the author
• Placement in the Seismic Valley Library based on giving level
• The chance to find and share your book during visits to The Tech

Select giving levels include face-out placement, featuring the book’s custom cover art prominently displayed in the Seismic Valley Library.

The Masterpiece | $25,000
Single centerpiece volume on prominent side wall - only 1 available

• Custom title & author dedication
• Custom front cover art 
• This will be the first book you see!

First Edition | $15,000
Only 4 available

• Prime face-out display on signature side walls
• Custom title & author dedication
• Custom front cover art
• You will be able to find your book right away!

Collector’s Edition | $10,000
4 available

• Upper-shelf display with quake movement
• Custom title & author dedication
• Most easily searchable in exhibit during your visits

Librarian Favorites | $5,000
10 available

• Eye-level discovery shelf placement
• Custom title & author dedication
• Easily searchable in exhibit during your visits

Reader’s Choice | $2,500
25 available

• Preferred shelf spine placement
• Custom title & author dedication
• Searchable in exhibit during your visits

Community Collection | $1,500
75 available

• Standard shelf spine placement
• Custom title & author dedication
• Searchable in exhibit during your visits

FAQ

1. What is Seismic Valley: The Earthquake Experience?

Seismic Valley: The Earthquake Experience is a new immersive earthquake exhibit coming to The Tech Interactive in downtown San Jose. At the heart of the exhibit is the Seismic Valley Library, an earthquake simulator where guests will experience everything from small tremors to powerful magnitude 8 earthquakes in a realistic, interactive environment.

2. When will Seismic Valley: The Earthquake Experience open?

Seismic Valley: The Earthquake Experience is scheduled to open in summer 2027 at The Tech Interactive in San Jose, California.

3. Where is Seismic Valley: The Earthquake Experience located?

Seismic Valley: The Earthquake Experience will be located inside The Tech Interactive, a hands-on science and innovation center at 201 S. Market St. in downtown San Jose, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley.

4. What will visitors experience inside Seismic Valley?

Get ready to shake! Inside the Seismic Valley Library, guests will experience simulated earthquakes as the room rumbles around them, shelves rattle, and books shift. The immersive environment will bring the powerful forces of earthquakes to life, from small tremors to magnitude 8 events.

5. How can I become a permanent part of Seismic Valley?

Through The Tech Interactive's Stories of Impact campaign, you can make a donation to sponsor a custom book that will become part of the Seismic Valley Library. Choose a personalized title and dedication to honor someone special, celebrate your family, or recognize your organization. Your book will be displayed inside the earthquake simulator, becoming a lasting part of the experience.

6. Are the books in Seismic Valley real books?

The books are custom-designed props that will be displayed inside the Seismic Valley Library, an earthquake simulator designed to look like a real library. Through The Tech Interactive's Stories of Impact campaign, supporters can sponsor a book and personalize the text on its spine, including the title and author. Each book becomes a permanent part of the exhibit, shaking along with every earthquake!

7. Is Seismic Valley the same earthquake simulator that used to be at The Tech Interactive?

No! Seismic Valley: The Earthquake Experience is a completely reimagined earthquake exhibit, offering much more than a simulator. While longtime visitors may remember The Tech's original earthquake experience, Seismic Valley will introduce a new immersive environment that brings the science and experience of earthquakes to life in exciting ways.

8. What is the Stories of Impact campaign?

Stories of Impact is a unique fundraising opportunity that lets supporters become part of Seismic Valley: The Earthquake Experience. Instead of a traditional donor wall, supporters are recognized through personalized books placed directly inside the exhibit's earthquake simulator. Each book celebrates someone or something meaningful while helping support hands-on science education at The Tech Interactive.

9. How much does it cost to sponsor a book in Seismic Valley?

Book sponsorships through Stories of Impact start at $1,500, with giving opportunities up to $25,000. Each level offers different placement within the Seismic Valley Library. Select levels also include custom cover art and prominent display locations.

10. How does donating to Seismic Valley support science education?

Your donation helps bring Seismic Valley: The Earthquake Experience to life while supporting The Tech Interactive's nonprofit mission to inspire the innovator in everyone. Gifts support hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) education, inclusive programming, and low-cost field trips for local schools.