Exciting new STEM and computing workshops from TNMOC target primary schools for the first time

Today, The National Museum of Computing (TNMOC), an independent charity, has announced the launch of its Primary School Activity Days, which provide primary school students the opportunity to take part in exciting and engaging STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and computing workshop days for the very first time. 

These new activity days will see KS1 and KS2 students engage in a range of activities that include a race against the clock to find mini bots hidden around the museum and solving puzzles with the museum’s famous George the Robot - created by TNMOC co-founder Tony Sale. Other activities featured will include programming gyroscopic robot balls and basic programming with the BBC micro:bit to create LED images using buttons and shake sensors.

Students will also be able to access creative learning toys from Learning Resources, with the chance to build a mobile robot with the Gears! Gears! Gears! set, or learning to programme a miniature Botley 2.0 robot in as little as five minutes.

Dennis Blackmore, MD of Learning Resources which collaborates with the museum, commented: “It’s exciting for us to be contributing to The National Museum of Computing on Bletchley Park’s mission to make coding accessible to children. Our coding toys help children to discover, explore, and learn through fun, hands-on play. Collaborating with TNMOC opens up new ways to inspire a love of learning by bringing coding and STEM concepts to life in engaging ways for children in primary school.”

Another collaborator on the project is Osmo, which is transforming how children learn through merging tactile exploration with innovative technology to actively engage children in the learning process. An Osmo representative added, “It’s a privilege for Osmo to collaborate with The National Museum of Computing to support their mission of learning and enjoyment for the benefit of general and specialist publics of all ages. Osmo games combine real game pieces with modern digital technology. Osmo is learning using all five senses and it has been proven to increase learning success! We offer pupils a unique sense of achievement and thus sustainably increase their learning success. This collaboration will make learning a play game for kids. Real Play, Real Learning!”

Priced at £15 per person and with up to 45 students for a full day booking, the activity day schedule includes a 20-minute welcome and introduction, a one-hour morning workshop, followed by a lunch and two hour-long afternoon workshops. The day ends with a 10-minute plenary and feedback session.

The students that have already taken part have been over the moon with their days out. Primary school student Oscar said “Building kits were the best! It was fun to build with and you could choose what to do."

The dual benefits of the primary school days out of education and fun were best demonstrated by Eden, who said "I learnt to code and liked collecting strawberries."

In addition, Mr Morris from Ruskin Academy said, “The National Museum of Computing was amazing. The children were so engaged in every part of the day and got to explore the museum itself. Playing with the Sphero Bolts was a particular highlight for then, but it was an amazing experience with amazing staff.”

The brand-new package for primary schools complements TNMOC’s existing range of successful education programmes available in person and online for secondary schools and colleges, for students with diverse abilities.

Storm Rae, Head of Learning and Development at TNMOC, commented: “Interactive days out for KS1 and KS2 options are difficult to find, so we are delighted to offer this much-needed opportunity. Education is central to the work of our museum, and we strive to inspire the next generation of computer scientists and engineers.  We can now go even further in that work with a program of exciting activities that introduces an even younger generation to the fun and excitement contained in the worlds of computing and STEM.”

Tickets for Activity Days can be booked here: keystage-1-2-activity-days