San Jose The Tech Interactive

formerly known as The Tech Museum of Innovation
201 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 294-8324
thetech.org

Pictured above are scenes from The Tech's annual community day, usually held on a weekend day in the summer. 

While exhibits change and even the name of the museum changes at The Tech, this kid-focused museum has always challenged youth and adults to explore science and technology. The secret behind its success is that each interactive section of the two-story museum keeps things interesting. Exhibits have included Body Motion, Social Robots, Exploration, and a first ever Cyber Detectives where the public gets to explore Internet safety, and how to take charge and be responsible for their own digital footprint.

There's nothing particularly sleek or elegant about the look of the latest 3D printers but their potential is what's rocking the world. In Japan researchers are on the fast track to creating body parts using 3D print technology.

Let your imagination go wild at The Tech 3D Print Jam as you concoct a design and see if yours is selected for printing. Visitors are invited to learn how to make anything they want some lucky person may win a 3D printer! Find out about TinkerCAD, a free browser-based design software that allows beginners and experts to create ready-to-print designs; experience the layering process that 3D printers utilize; meet passionate volunteers who use 3D printing to make prosthetic hands (and also see sample prosthetics); and find out how 3D is changing the face of printing.

The Tech Interactive (thetech.org) in downtown San Jose also shows incredible IMAX films, and is filled with unique exhibits and hands-on displays. The birthplace of some of the greatest inventions on the planet, be sure to also visit Silicon Valley's Computer History Museum in Mountain View on your next trip to the high-tech destination.