Defying Limits, Gravity Powered Cars: The Tech Challenge 2025

The Tech, the world-renowned science, technology, and education center in the heart of Silicon Valley, announces the results of the 38th Annual Tech Challenge Final Showcase, which took place May 3–4 in downtown San Jose. Thousands of students in grades 4-12 from all over Northern California and even as far away as New Mexico gathered at San Jose Convention Center’s South Hall to put their creative solutions and engineering journals to the test in front of judges.

More than 600 teams participated in this year’s challenge, “Gravitate to Navigate,” which tasked them with building a gravity-powered device capable of traversing multiple tracks—forward and back. Each team was required to build a single gravity powered device to complete four successful runs while carrying a tennis ball payload.. Many teams creatively incorporated found materials andelements like wheels, axles, and pulleys.

The Tech Challenge Final Showcase is the culminating event: a high-energy weekend where teams, many wearing spirited costumes, demonstrate their devices, present their engineering journals, and interview with judges. Family, friends, and educators cheered on the students as they put their months of hard work to the test.

“This weekend was a celebration of innovation, resilience, and teamwork,” said Abby Longcor, Senior Director of The Tech Challenge. “Every team showed us that with creativity and determination, young people can tackle even the most complex challenges. Our hope is that The Tech Challenge gives participants the confidence, skills, and passion to pursue future studies or careers in science, engineering, and beyond.”

Now in its 38th year, The Tech Challenge invites teams of students in Grades 4–12 to use the engineering design process to solve a real-world problem. Participants spend months collaborating, iterating, and documenting their progress before culminating in this inspiring two-day showcase. Judges placed a strong emphasis on creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and perseverance—valuing the students’ journeys as much as their final solutions.

This year’s theme also gave students a chance to explore the science of renewable energy. By building gravity-powered vehicles, students learned how natural forces like gravity—and by extension, hydropower—can be harnessed as clean energy sources. As they refined their devices, they encountered real engineering trade-offs including optimizing their energy usage. . Along the way, they explored simple machines such as pulleys, wheels, and axles, and gained a hands-on understanding of motion, force, and efficiency.

“The Tech Challenge isn’t just about engineering. It’s about helping students build valuable real-world skills—creativity, collaboration, and resilience—and giving them the opportunity to bring their ideas to life,” said Katrina Stevens, President and CEO of The Tech Interactive. “Participants tell us they leave with a stronger ability to listen to others, think creatively, and persevere through failure. These are essential skills that can’t be replaced by AI—and they’re key to success in any future career.”

You can find a list of all 2025 award winners here.