Virtual Learning at The Tech

Grades: 1-12
Cost: $140; no Title I funding available.
Group limit: 36 students
Immerse yourself in the amazing sounds of our planet! This interactive multimedia experience takes you on an ear-opening journey into the science of sound and the emerging field of soundscape ecology.

Your learners will embark on a mission to investigate the dramatic soundscapes of Costa Rica’s rainforests, Hawaii’s coral reefs, and Mongolia’s vast grasslands. Participants will:

• Learn about the tools that scientists use to record and analyze sounds.
• Explore basic acoustics through interactive activities and incredible slow-motion footage.
• Discover what soundscapes tell us about the health of our planet.

IMPORTANT: Because Global Soundscapes is an external program, we are unable to offer our customary discounted rates to Title I-eligible schools. Educators will receive all necessary materials and information to participate in this interactive experience. No preparation required!

Watch a preview

Grades: 3-8
Cost: $125; Title I funding is available
Group limit: 34 students
There’s a lot of trash in the Bay’s watershed, from San Jose to the Pacific Ocean. By designing and constructing different types of storm drain grates, students discover how water systems function and how to use science and engineering to protect Earth’s natural resources. Students will:

• Describe a watershed.
• Explain why keeping trash out of the watershed is important.
• Complete a design challenge to create a storm drain to combat pollution from a specific source

IMPORTANT: The live lab experience requires preparation beforehand. You must have your class watch the introductory video and begin building their storm drain at least 48 hours before your virtual lab is scheduled. The live, facilitated experience with our lab instructor assumes that your students have already begun the hands-on process. Our instructor will answer questions, encourage your learners to try different approaches to the challenge, and make sure they have fun while they're learning engineering! We will provide all the information you need once you sign up.

Grades: 3-8
Cost: $125; Title I funding is available
Group limit: 34 students
They love to ride them, now they’ll love to build them! Students explore potential and kinetic energy and apply what they learn to build their own roller coasters made of materials they have at hand. Students will:

• Demonstrate that gravity is a naturally occurring force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth.
• Describe and demonstrate the difference between potential and kinetic energy.
• Complete a given design challenge with constraints.

IMPORTANT: The live lab experience requires preparation beforehand. You must have your class watch the introductory video and begin building their roller coaster at least 48 hours before your virtual lab is scheduled. The live, facilitated experience with our lab instructor assumes that your students have already begun the hands-on process. Our instructor will answer questions, encourage your learners to try different approaches to the challenge, and make sure they have fun while they're learning engineering! We will provide all the information you need once you sign up.

Grades: 4-8
Cost: $125; Title I funding is available
Group limit: 34 students
Engineers often have to work within constraints like budget, time or materials. In this fun lab, inspired by the 2021 Tech Challenge, learners will immerse themselves in the Innovation Design Process by creating an object out of a single material -- paper!  Students will:

• Brainstorm ideas using collaborative prompts.
• Use their creativity to build a prototype out of paper using at least three different 3D techniques.
• Test their creation, see if it works, and think about possible iterations.

IMPORTANT: The live lab experience requires preparation beforehand. You must have your class watch the introductory video and begin building their paper invention at least 48 hours before your virtual lab is scheduled. The live, facilitated experience with our lab instructor assumes that your students have already begun the hands-on process. Our instructor will answer questions, encourage your learners to try different approaches to the challenge, and make sure they have fun while they're learning engineering! We will provide all the information you need once you sign up.