Digital Future Days: Computing History (11-16 years)

Digital Future Days - Ignite the Tech Leaders of Tomorrow

Are you ready to inspire the next generation of tech enthusiasts and ignite their passion for digital skills? Join us for Digital Future Days at The National Museum of Computing (TNMOC), a thrilling series of educational events designed exclusively for school and home-educator groups, bridging the gap between employers and future employees in the dynamic world of technology.

About the Event:

Digital Future Days is an exciting initiative hosted by TNMOC, dedicated to empowering school-age learners with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the digital era. Through a series of engaging events held throughout the year, we provide a unique opportunity for students and educators to explore and develop desirable digital skills while connecting with industry leaders with the added bonus of all the benefits of immersion in heritage.

Event Highlights:

Inspiring Talks by Industry Leaders: Learn from seasoned professionals and industry experts who are at the forefront of technological advancements. Gain insights into the world of tech, discover exciting career paths, and find out how you can make a difference in the digital landscape.

Hands-on Workshops: Immerse yourself in interactive workshops where you can put your digital skills to the test. From coding challenges to virtual reality experiences, our hands-on activities promise to be both educational and fun!

Networking Opportunities: Meet and connect with like-minded peers, educators, and tech enthusiasts. Network with industry professionals and build connections that could pave the way for your future tech journey.

Empowering Digital Futures: Digital Future Days is not just about technical skills; it's about nurturing critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. We believe in empowering young minds to become the changemakers of tomorrow.

Event Details:

Time: 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM (Registration begins at 9:30 AM)

Location: The National Museum of Computing, Bletchley Park, Block H, Bletchley Park, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 6DS

Ticket Options: Tickets are available for school and home-educator groups (limited availability; max. 40 per academic institution, register early to secure your spot).

Experience History in Action: Discover the captivating world of technology within TNMOC's historic Bletchley Park setting. Immerse yourself in an unparalleled interactive learning experience, surrounded by our unique collection of working historic machines.

Sample Schedule for the Day*:

09:30 - 10:00; Registration and Welcome

10:00 - 10:40; Aerospace Engineering

10:45 - 11:25; Codename Cipher I or II

11:30 - 12:10; VR Experience

12:15 - 12:55; Lunch

13:00 - 13:40; Internet Explorers

13:45 - 14:25; Networked Communication

14:30 - 15:10; BBC Basic

15:15 - 15:30; Closing Remarks and Group Photo

15:30 - 16:00; Optional self-guided exploration

Aerospace Engineering: Calling all young space enthusiasts! Discover the magic of Aerospace Engineering in our captivating workshops and unleash your potential with engineering kit to explore solutions for the resource demands of our digital world. Unravel the mysteries of material scarcity while nurturing teamwork and innovation. Together, we'll ponder the ethics of resource gathering from Mars. Get ready for an educational journey that will leave you reaching for the stars!
Codename Cipher I or II: For groups facing the choice between Codename Cipher I - The Bombe and Codename Cipher II - Lorenz, embark on a captivating journey through the realms of cryptography and computing. Codename Cipher I offers an immersive exploration into the Enigma machine's origins, while Codename Cipher II delves deeper into encryption techniques and the emergence of early computing. Whether opting for the introductory adventure or the more complex exploration, prepare for an enlightening experience that merges history, technology, and problem-solving into a single captivating narrative.
VR Experience: Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes (KTaNE), a Virtual Reality puzzle game that sparks your curiosity and sharpens your computational thinking. Navigate the Bomb using the VR headset, relying on your team-mates propensity for abstraction to solve decomposed puzzle modules. This unforgettable experience nurtures teamwork, critical thinking, and computational skills essential for success in our digital world. Level up your problem-solving prowess!
Internet Explorers: Embark on a tablet-led exploration as Internet explorers in our museum! Search for answers to intriguing questions, delving into the evolution of networked communication. Uncover the need for interconnectedness, the remarkable development, and key milestones that shaped the Internet's transformative journey. Engage in interactive activities, connecting with the rich history of how the Internet revolutionised communication and interaction. Join us on this captivating exploration, celebrating the wonders of the digital age and embracing the spirit of curiosity!
Networked Communication: Embark on a captivating journey through the evolution of networked communication, from humble "2 tin cans and a piece of string" to the revolutionary packet switching concept. Explore the internet's charm as the home of cats and unravel how images are shared, represented as data. Discover the motivating force of sharing scientific research that led to networked communication's development and glimpse its early stages. Embrace the magic of innovation and connectivity as we explore how technology transformed communication and information sharing today.
BBC Basic: Get ready to transport back in time to the iconic 80s era with our thrilling workshop! Join us as we dive into nostalgia and program the legendary game of Snake using BBC Basic on authentic BBC Micro computers. Embrace the simplicity and charm of retro gaming as we unleash your creativity to design and code your very own version of Snake. The classic green screen and vintage hardware provide the perfect backdrop for this unforgettable coding adventure. Channel your inner programmer and embark on an exciting journey, bringing the golden age of gaming back to life in our retro 80s classroom!

*Schedule is subject to change dependent on uptake and partner engagement, updates will be shared with registered participants. The order of activities will vary on the day.

Join us for an unforgettable experience as we embark on a journey of digital discovery and innovation. Reserve your group's spot for Digital Future Days and be a part of shaping the future of technology!

IMPORTANT: Terms and Conditions

Spaces are limited. The capacity for this event is 120 students.

The event name details the suggested age of participants, please check to ensure your learners fall within the suggested age group.

Schools must give 2 months' notice if they will not be attending; this will enable their places to be offered to another school on the Waiting List. Failure to do so will incur a charge of £160.00.

Event Venue

The National Museum of Computing, Block H, Bletchley Park, Bletchley, United Kingdom