Students Tackle Earthquake Engineering in The Tech Challenge Program

SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwired - April 23, 2015) - After months of learning important engineering concepts, perfecting their designs, and building and rebuilding prototypes, thousands of students will put their solutions to the test in the 28th annual Tech Challenge presented by Cisco. A record 2,400 students are expected for the science and engineering competition at The Tech Museum of Innovation on April 25 and 26. The program was recognized with the Bright Lights Community Engagement Award from the Noyce Foundation this year for outstanding community engagement, particularly in STEM efforts.

"It's impossible to walk away from Tech Challenge weekend and not feel inspired by the tenacity, quick thinking and innovative ideas of young people," said Tim Ritchie, President and CEO of The Tech. "These kids have all it takes to use technology to solve the problems our world faces. It's up to us to make sure they understand their creative potential. It's up to us to make solving problems so engaging that they become determined to do the hard work of really learning science, technology, engineering and math." 

The Tech Challenge always centers on a real-world problem. This year it focuses on keeping California's booming population safe by designing buildings that can withstand large earthquakes. The 600 teams must build a structure that can survive three earthquakes of increasing movement. 

"We're excited that this year's challenge really gets at the heart of something every Californian can relate to: earthquakes," said Abby Longcor, Director of The Tech Challenge Program. "We've seen some really innovative designs as the students test their work and can't wait to be surprised by their final solutions during the main event."

The Tech Challenge program is one of the most diverse science competitions in the country. More than 40 percent of the competitors are girls and almost 40 percent are students from low-income communities.

Sponsorship from organizations including Cisco, Aruba Networks, SAP, EMC, Intel, Motorola Solutions Foundation and Samsung make The Tech Challenge possible.

For more information visit thetechchallenge.thetech.org

Video from 2014 Challenge: bit.ly/2014TechChallengeVid

About The Tech Museum of Innovation

The Tech is a hands-on technology and science museum for people of all ages and backgrounds and recipient of the 2015 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The museum -- located in the Capital of Silicon Valley -- is a non-profit, experiential learning resource established to engage people in exploring and experiencing applied technologies affecting their lives. Through programs such as The Tech Challenge presented by Cisco, our annual team-design competition for youth, and internationally renowned program to honor technology benefiting humanity, The Tech Awards presented by Applied Materials, The Tech endeavors to inspire the innovator in everyone.

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Marika E. Krause
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The Tech
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