San Jose, CA, June 4, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Summer is HERE at The Tech Interactive, San Jose’s science center, offering hands-on experiences for curious minds of all ages. From The Tech’s first-ever summer camp and a chain reaction of 40,000 dominoes to full-dome laser shows, after-hours adult events, IMAX® movies and expanded admission options, this season invites families, teens, adults and visitors to explore, tinker and rediscover their inner innovator.
Located in the heart of downtown San Jose, The Tech is an easy, air-conditioned summer destination for a day out, especially as the city welcomes a season full of major events and SJ26 celebrations.
“This summer really shows what The Tech can be,” said Katrina Stevens, president and CEO of The Tech Interactive. “We have people camping for the first time, teens coming for full-dome laser shows, adults rediscovering the museum after hours and families coming back again and again for hands-on experiences. That mix is exactly what we mean when we say science is for everyone.”
A new summer camp for young innovators
This summer marks the debut of CAMP at The TechThe Tech Interactive’s first internal summer camp. Designed for curious children entering grades 2 through 6, CAMP at The Tech runs from June 15 to August 7, with six weekly sessions from 9am to 4pm and optional extended care.
Each weeklong session explores a different theme, including BioTinkering, Ultimate Upcycle, Kinetic Commotion and Planet Protectors. Campers will tinker with biology to create biopigments, sustainable fibers and building materials, turn recyclable materials into new inventions, build Rube Goldberg-style devices with traps, traps, triggers and sound, and explore conservation, environmental engineering and design.
“CAMP at The Tech is about giving kids permission to tinker, test, build, fail, try again, and surprise themselves,” said Liz O’Hare Menezes, Summer Camp Program Manager at The Tech Interactive. “Each week is designed to help campers ask big questions, develop confidence in engineering design, and practice solving real-world problems, while still making room for the classic summer camp magic of friendship, discovery, and fun.”
Space is limited and advance registration is required.
An adventure with 40,000 Dominoes takes over technology
One of the biggest visual highlights of the summer is Tech Topple: The Great Adventure, a week-long domino engineering event that brings together expert chain reaction and mechanical engineers from across the country.
From July 12 to 18, visitors can watch construction take shape at The Tech as the team of builders transform 40,000 dominoes in one epic journey. The week concludes with a final toppling on Saturday, July 18 at 1 p.m., where one ball sets the whole adventure in motion.
The event gives visitors a front-row view of the engineering design process in action, from planning and patience to cause, effect, timing, failure and spectacular success. For those who want to get even closer to the action, Domino Masters Workshops provide hands-on opportunities to learn pro-level tips, take on creative chain reaction challenges, and build alongside the experts. The tech overthrow of 2025 can be viewed here.
The DOME series brings a new series of laser shows to the city center
This summer, The Tech’s DOME series brings a rotating series of laser shows with iconic music, Hollywood movies in IMAX and energy for a summer night out to downtown San Jose.
The lineup includes The Mandalorian & Grogu and The Odyssey in IMAX, Lasers! Pink Floyd, lasers! Daftpunk, lasers! K-Pop demon hunters, lasers! Bad bunny and lasers! Galactic Odyssey.
The DOME series has something for every kind of fan, from date night planners and groups of friends to families with teenagers, music lovers, movie fans and visitors looking for a cooler way to spend a summer evening. Instead of a field, stage or lawn chair, guests step into the Dome Theater for big sound, bold visuals and an escape from the hot summer evenings.
Tech at Nite brings after-hours science to adults 21 and older
Tech at Nite returns on July 30. This is an evening for 21+ adults only and gives guests the chance to explore the museum after hours.
With food, drinks, a DJ, a hands-on craft experience with Local Color, and access to exhibits throughout the museum, Tech at Nite invites adults to experience The Tech in a new way. It’s designed for the curiosity of adults, whether guests are longtime science fans, new visitors, or people who haven’t been to The Tech since childhood.
Tickets available soon.
Last chance to experience the Space Exploration Gallery
This summer is the last chance to experience Space explorationwhich closes in August as The Tech makes way for exciting new exhibitions, including the shaky return of an old favorite.
In Space Exploration, visitors can strap into a Jet Pack Chair, pilot a rover through a Martian habitat, repair a satellite and touch a real piece of Mars.
Visitors can also explore featured exhibitions including Body worlds decodedwhere real, preserved human specimens reveal the muscles, nerves and systems that make the body work; Innovation in blooman exhibition celebrating creative ideas inspired by nature; And Dream gardenan immersive experience that invites visitors into a colorful, playful world of imagination and discovery.
Practical discoveries all summer long
In addition to the summer’s main highlights, visitors will find changing pop-up labs, workshops, IMAX films, exhibitions and activities throughout the season.
Summer experiences include rooftop Solar S’mores workshops, Molecular Meals Summer BBQ, Sailing Science, Cardboard Open Build, wind-powered vehicle activities, Infinity Day programming, Veggie Tie-Dye and more.
From beginning students to teens, adults and tourists, The Tech is designed to grow with curious minds of all ages. And with excellent air conditioning, it’s also a smart place to beat the heat while keeping curious minds occupied.
Making summer access easier
The Tech is also working to make summer visits easier and more accessible for families across the region.
Youth can use VTA’s Summer Youth Pass to ride the VTA bus and light rail to The Tech all summer long, from June 1 to August 31. The 2026 pass costs $70 and is available to youth 18 and under. Summer Youth Pass holders can get $10 off at The Tech for up to three people.
Tech is also participating Museums for everyonea national access program that offers reduced access for visitors receiving food assistance. Guests with an EBT card can receive $5 general admission per person for up to six people. Access to Museums for All is only possible in person. There is an additional charge for IMAX films.
Visitors driving downtown can also receive a $5 parking ticket when they park at the Convention Center Garage or 2nd & San Carlos Garage and present their same-day ticket to Visitor Services. Exclusive city-designated special event days.
Summer hours
From June 10, 2026, The Tech Interactive will transition to a five-day work week and will be closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays. Summer public hours, from June 10 to August 9, 2026, are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Summer Membership Benefits
With so many experiences taking place throughout the season, The Tech Interactive encourages visitors to think beyond a one-off trip. Membership Pays for itself in just two visits and offers unlimited admission year-round, members-only event access and early ticketing, discounts on IMAX, gift shop and camp purchases, and reciprocal access to more than 300 science centers.
The Tech Interactive is a nonprofit organization and every visit, membership and gift supports its mission to inspire the innovator in everyone. Community support helps keep hands-on STEM education accessible to students, families and educators across the region.
Tickets, membership, summer event information and scheduling details are available at thetech.org.
Summer at a glance
CAMP at The Tech
June 15 to August 7
Six-week sessions for children in groups 2 to 6
More information
Tech Topple: the great adventure
July 12 to 18
A technical spectacle with 40,000 dominoes, with the final toppling on July 18 at 1 p.m.
The DOME series
June to August
Full-dome laser shows and Hollywood movies, including Lasers! Pink Floyd, lasers! Daftpunk, lasers! K-Pop demon hunters, lasers! Bad bunny, lasers! Galactic Odyssey, and The Mandalorian & Grogu and The Odyssey in IMAX.
More information
Tech at Nite
July 30
An evening only for 21+ adults with food, drinks, a DJ, practical activities, Local Color and museum access outside opening hours
Exhibition Last Chance
Closing in August: Space exploration
Summer entry options
VTA Summer Youth Pass discount, Museums for All admission and $5 parking validation available
About the technology interactive
The Tech Interactive is a family-friendly science and technology center in the heart of downtown San Jose. Our hands-on activities, experimental labs and design challenge experiences empower people to innovate with creativity, curiosity and compassion. The Tech is a global leader in creating immersive STEM education resources to develop the next generation of problem solvers locally, nationally and globally. We believe that everyone is born an innovator who can change the world for the better.
Press inquiries
Katie Barrow
publishing relationships [at] thetech.org
https://www.thetech.org
201 S. Market St.
San Jose, CA 95113
A video accompanying this announcement is available here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=VkHd83-cf80
