What is a Relaxed Opening?
Our special Relaxed Openings are created exclusively for families within the neurodiverse community, giving them the opportunity to explore the Museum together in a calm environment. Our Relaxed Opening Days are particularly suited to visitors with autism or other special needs, who are welcomed to attend with their siblings, parents and/or carers. The Museum will be very quiet with areas set aside especially for you.
On the Day:
Home to the world's largest collection of working historic computers, at The National Museum of Computing the evolution of Computing will unfold before your eyes. You will journey from the early electro-mechanical code-breaking machines of WWII and the world's first entirely digital semi-programmable computer to the advent of mainframes in the 1950s and the rise of personal computing, mobile computing and the internet towards the end of the 20th century. You might like to try our Mission: STEM Exploration Trail Activity Booklet to support you in exploring and interacting with our extraordinary collection.
During your visit, you will also have access to a variety of special STEM-focused activities, including programming, robotics and virtual reality. Please see the schedule below for more details. All activities are drop-in sessions, so stay for as long as you wish.
To help you prepare for your visit, you might like to view our Visual Story and Sensory Map at https://www.tnmoc.org/accessibility.
Schedule
Activities will be offered as drop-in sessions so learners can self-direct without the pressure of a formal schedule. Activities will include options for every age:
Young learners (The Meeting Room)
Screen-free STEM - Introduce early programming skills through fun, interactive playsets, and games with Code & Go Robot Mouse, the 100% screen-free way to build STEM skills.
Engineering - Develop fine motor skills through mix and match of interchangeable cogs and gears to create endless combinations that build an understanding of cause and effect. Encourage exploration and discovery!
Augmented Reality - Combine real game pieces with modern digital technology for interactive learning opportunities that require the use of all five senses in enhanced reality games created by our partners at Osmo. (Maths, Coding, Art or Language skills).
Introduction to Robotics - This engaging entry to robotics session teaches basic programming while developing fine motor skills, with nifty gyroscopic Sphero Bolts.
Screen-free STEM - Full of fun features and special codes, including light-up eyes for night vision, Botley 2.0 comes packed full of hands-on coding activities and challenges, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Teens and Young Adults (BBC Classroom)
BBC BASIC - Go back in time to our 80s classroom and build an understanding of programming languages by creating customisable games on our original, working BBC Micros. [Computing]
WW2 Cryptography - Inside Enigma and/or Beating Lorenz build an in-depth understanding of the machinations inside these iconic encryption machines and the mathematical techniques used to break them. [Computing and Maths]
Hands-on Hardware and Tech Sustainability - Learn more about the ethics of technology in this thought-provoking session, find out more about sustainable data storage and deconstruct Hard Drives. [Computing]
Enigmatic Encounters - Use our custom code wheel in this interactive code breaking challenge! Can you catch the undercover operatives before the time runs out? [Computing and Cryptography]
Advanced Learners (Innovation Hub)
Beginners Coding - Learn coding skills on our pocket-sized Micro:bit computers to create LED images activated by buttons or ‘shake’ sensors. They can even communicate with each other! (*limited exclusive option for musical gloves offered by Pimoroni)
Chatbots and Artificial Intelligence - Students discuss the ethical issues surrounding and the limitations of Artificial Intelligence before creating their own chatbot. [Computing]
Statistical Attack - Gain an in-depth understanding of the machinations inside the iconic encryption machine, Lorenz, and the mathematical techniques used to crack its highly classified messages. [Computing and Maths]
Self-guided Museum Exploration
Robot Rescue! - George the Robot is playing hide and seek with his friends but has forgotten how to walk. Explore the museum and find all our mini-bots before their batteries run out and they’re lost forever!
Mission: STEM - We need your help to discover Professor Proton's secret identity. Explore the museum and interact with exhibits to solve puzzles and save the George the Robot!
Women in Computing - Discover the inspirational achievements of past and present Women in Computing and explore their impact on the industry in this interactive museum exploration.
Code name: Cipher - The year is 1940 and you have been invited to Bletchley Park to assist in the war effort. Explore the museum and learn more about Encryption to end WWII in this immersive experience.
Programming languages - From 5-hole punch tape to Python! Explore how programming languages have progressed over the decades and solve puzzles using them to choose your favourite.
We are delighted that we are able to offer these sessions to you at low cost due to the support of our dedicated volunteers.
For any queries or further information please contact Storm Rae, our Head of Learning and Development, at education@tnmoc.org. Alternatively, you can contact the Museum via telephone on 01908 374708.
What people say about our Relaxed Opening Days:
My sons had a super time, the interactive activities were great and kept them both engaged. Your team were most helpful and great with the children.
Our boys both loved it... Ordinarily, after a few hours one son is on edge, on the verge of overload. They say living with autism is like living life in a disco ... I want to comment about your staff, ... They were utterly brilliant. Patient, understanding, tremendously knowledgeable, they explained things in such an accessible way, there was always someone available.
My seven-year-old and my friend's two boys had a wonderful time and I really appreciated the opportunity for them to enjoy something they would otherwise fund quite challenging.
They obviously loved the gaming areas, enjoyed making the stickman hit the fruit. The staff in the BBC [micro] area were lovely. In fact the tips about getting children coding have already been implemented and they have been using the site that was recommended. My husband wants to come next time!
A huge thank you for organising the relaxed session. It makes a huge difference to families like mine to be able to get out.
*Cover picture created using www.slidescarnival.com.
To help you prepare for your visit, you might like to view our Visual Story and Sensory Map.
