I don't remember many hands-on experiences there that weren't tied to visual elements. A good alternative to The Tech might be The California Academy of Sciences up in SF; if you call ahead, the naturalist center and docents have a lot of specimens you can touch and feel, and the planetarium shows have phenomenal sound, especially if you sit in the very center of the dome. Right now it's a show about coral reefs, and the audio makes you really feel like you're underwater!
No, most of the displays are visually interactive.
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