Membership Events and Perks

Welcome Members sign.
Joining The Tech Interactive pays for itself in just two visits, and all membership levels include these great benefits:

100% tax deductible.
Unlimited general admission for a year.
Half-off educational IMAX films.
Half-off general admission and IMAX educational films for your guests.
Free or discounted admission to more than 300 science-technology centers affiliated with the Association of Science-Technology Centers.
10% off purchases at The Tech Store, The Tech Cafe and IMAX concession stand.
Invitations to member events and IMAX screenings.
Discounts on birthday parties and girl scout badge programs.

If you’re not a member, sign up today to join us!

Member Events

Members enjoy FREE members-only events, including complimentary screenings for new educational film releases in our IMAX Dome Theater. Check the members-only email newsletter or back here for ticketing as space is limited.

"Serengeti" Member Preview
Friday, March 17, at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Members are invited to a free advance screening of our newest educational IMAX film! The Serengeti is home to most of Africa’s iconic animals and hosts one of the world’s greatest natural events — the annual wildebeest migration. Nature has orchestrated a perfect symphony in which every species has a very distinct role to play. See it through the eyes of the youngest members of this animal cast! Prepare to be awed by this immersive giant screen IMAX® film about how nature works in one of the world’s greatest ecosystems. You may reserve free tickets for either showtime equivalent to the number of admissions allowed at your membership level. Seating is limited.
5:30 p.m. tickets 7:30 p.m. tickets

Past events:

Going to the Moon: NASA's Artemis Program
Ready for a moonshot? Hear a guest speaker from NASA's Artemis Program talk about our next trip to the moon and deep space exploration.
Watch the replay
Back to Play After a Year of Pandemic
Why is play so important for kids, and how can they play safely as we emerge from a pandemic? The Tech Interactive has partnered with Stanford Children’s Health to give a special panel presentation called “Back to Play After a Year of Pandemic” for parents and others who are interested in our kids’ wellbeing! The Tech President and CEO Katrina Stevens will moderate a panel of Stanford pediatricians, talking about play and children’s mental health, navigating public play spaces safely, helping kids readjust to interacting in crowds and more.
Watch the replay
The Art and Tech of Fireworks
Are you already looking forward to Independence Day? We have arranged for The Tech Interactive staff member and licensed pyrotechnician Pete Adams to offer a webinar focusing on the two worlds of commercial and theatrical fireworks joined together.
Watch the replay
IMAX Behind the Scenes
Have you ever wondered how the IMAX laser projector operates and what it takes to put on stunning visual renditions of educational films and Hollywood productions alike? Members now have a special opportunity to find out! We have arranged for our IMAX Dome Theater chief projectionist to give members a peek behind the scenes in a virtual webinar.
Watch the replay
Paper Engineering Workshop
Do you like building things? Want to do a fun STEM project that takes about an hour? Join us for a virtual Tech Challenge Paper Engineering Workshop! The Tech Challenge, presented by Zoom Video Communications, has introduced teams of students in Grades 4–12 to engineering design for over 34 years. This special activity is free and open to members who want to enjoy a fun engineering design activity. For young participants we suggest ages 5 and up; adults of all ages may also like to try it out. All you will need to have ready is paper of any kind, scissors, and a little tape.
Check out our activity
Caution! Wildlife Crossing
Calling all kids! You’re invited to a virtual, hands-on experience of Caution! Wildlife Crossing. Our newest design challenge focuses on animals and biodiversity. Members get a special opportunity to be guided in this design challenge by The Tech’s experienced staff and learn more about the need for wildlife crossings in our own community. This engineering experience is focused on ages 6 and up and can be done with things you find around your home!
Check out our activity
Leaf-ing Through Your Closet: Cabbage Tie-Dye
Who said cabbage was boring? Free your cabbage from the crisper and put it to work making awesome tie-dye creations!
For thousands of years, people have used colors from nature to create art. Many plants have natural pigments, and the one in red cabbage is very special—it can change color when it is mixed with ingredients from your kitchen. Join Caitlin Nealon, Ph.D., one of the scientists behind our Biotinkering activities, and Maria Robles Gonzalez, while we showcase the artistic possibilities of the science behind color-changing cabbage pigments. They’ll show you how to use these natural pigments with different tie-dye techniques in an event that’s full of chemistry and cruciferous art! Check out the Cabbage Inks activity guide referenced here.
Watch the replay
Inspiring Innovators: A Behind-the-Scenes look at The Tech Challenge
Before there was The Tech, there was The Tech Challenge! Now in its 34th year, The Tech Challenge is an engineering design challenge for students in Grades 4 to 12.
Join Greg Brown, founder of The Tech Challenge, and Abby Longcor, Senior Director of The Tech Challenge as they talk about this exciting STEM experience. From planning and prototyping to testing and implementation, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how The Tech Challenge comes to be and an exclusive sneak peek at the 2021 project.
Watch the replay
Secrets of the Universe
Join The Tech Interactive and Manuel Calderón de la Barca Sánchez, UC Davis physics professor and the star of the large-format film, "Secrets of the Universe," on a journey to explore some of life’s biggest questions about our planet and universe. Enjoy this family-friendly virtual event featuring clips from the film and a Q&A.
Watch the replay
See Yourself In Science: A Chat with Future Scientists
Learn what it’s like to be a scientist-in-training, potential career paths in biology, what a genetic counselor does, or how to plan for graduate school as a college or high school student. Our resident geneticist from Stanford University, Dr. Abbey Thompson, will speak with a panel of graduate students from Stanford biology programs about their path to grad school and their career plans for the future.
Watch the replay
If We Build it, Will They Come? A Behind-the-Scenes look at The Tech Interactive
Join Michelle Maranowski, Ph.D., exhibit and content developer at The Tech Interactive, as she pulls back the curtain on how our exciting and engaging exhibitions come to life. From planning and ideation to testing and installation, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at some of your favorite things to do at The Interactive.
Watch the replay
Hands-on Cooking Night
Chef Tony, owner of The Tech Cafe and Tony Caters, hosted a culinary activity. Watch the replay for tips on handling a chopping knife like a pro, working with dough, and emulsifying a perfect vinaigrette. Don’t forget, members get 10% off at Tony’s to Go by using promo code:TECHMEMBER.
Watch the replay

The Technology Behind Fireworks Webinar
Join Pete Adams, State of California licensed commercial and theatrical pyrotechnician, for a behind-the-scenes look at the chemistry, physics and electronics behind modern fireworks displays.
Watch the replay

Dates are subject to change. We’ll email you when tickets are available. Please list info@thetech.org as a trusted address in your email client. If you have opted-out of email, you can check back here for updated info and ticketing.

ASTC Passport Program

All members of The Tech Interactive receive free or reduced admission to more than 300 science and technology centers worldwide through the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) Passport Program. Local restrictions apply to museums located within 90 miles of your residence and/or your host museum’s location. See the section on this page labeled ASTC Local Reciprocal Program Agreement for exceptions to this rule.

View the ASTC Passport Program list of participating institutions and policies.

ASTC Local Reciprocal Program Agreement

We have an exception to the local 90-mile restriction in the ASTC Passport Program: All members of The Tech Interactive receive 50% off admission for each named cardholder at the following Bay Area institutions, which are exceptions to the local restriction. Family Membership Level and higher also receive 50% off admission for up to four children.

Lindsay Wildlife Experience (Walnut Creek)
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo (San Jose)
CuriOdyssey (San Mateo)
Children’s Creativity Museum (San Francisco)
The Lawrence Hall of Science (University of California, Berkeley)
Chabot Space and Science Center (Oakland)

The Tech Interactive also offers this reciprocal benefit to members of the above institutions when they visit The Tech Interactive. Participants in this local agreement are subject to change at any time. Please call ahead to confirm reciprocal discounts.

ASTC Passport Policies

Always bring your member card(s) and valid ID.
Reciprocal admission policies vary by institution. Before your visit, please contact the institution to confirm its reciprocal admission benefits.
Reciprocal admission policies are voluntary and subject to change at any time
Reciprocity extends only to regular museum admission. It does not include special exhibit fees, additional attractions, program discounts or store discounts.