Computer Science / Business Studies tour to San Jose and San Francisco: 8 days, 6 nights

The Tech Museum of Innovation is a hands-on, interactive, science and technology centre located in the heart of downtown San Jose. You can work with the exhibits to develop understanding focused on the skills required in computer science. Areas you can focus on include:
• Social Robots
• Imax Theatre
• Cyber Detectives on Internet Security
• Workshops

Links to learning include - programming, computer systems, fundamentals of computer networks, fundamentals of cyber security, ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology on wider society, including issues of privacy, aspects of software development, communication and the internet, the bigger picture – emerging trends, issues and impact.

This is very much a hands on learning experience with a variety of activities across many topics. It is aimed at helping minds to develop their thinking skills in problem solving, analysis and self challenge. The Exploratorium isn't just a museum, it's an ongoing exploration of science, art and human perception—a vast collection of experiences to fire your students' curiosity!

Links to learning include - consequences of uses of computing, systematic approach to problem solving, analysis of the problem, design of the solution, developing the solution.

NASA Ames Research Center, one of ten NASA field centres, is located in the heart of California's Silicon Valley. For more than 75 years, Ames has led NASA in conducting world-class research and development in aeronautics, exploration technology and science aligned with the centre's core capabilities. The NASA Ames Visitor Centre is a self-guided tour which gives you a chance to work with your students on applied computer science.

See the application of theory in practice. This is a visit that could inspire as much as reinforce ideas developed in class. Links to learning include: computer systems, systematic approach to problem solving, consequences of uses of computing, analysis of the problem, design of the solution, developing the solution, elements of computational thinking, problem solving and programming, producing robust programs.

Part of the South Bay Historical Railroad Society, this is the location of the first ‘computer’ in Silicon Valley as the tower housed a machine with switches and relays that controlled the rails and signals in the railway.

This is an opportunity for students to see how computerised railways began, as well as gaining an insight of early computers. Links to learning include: computer systems, systematic approach to problem solving, consequences of uses of computing, analysis of the problem, design of the solution, developing the solution.

A guided tour to the locations of the Googleplex campus and the Ebay HQ & Ebay Park (alternatives include Yahoo, Paypal and Facebook). We cannot take you into these but they are opportunities for teachers to discuss issues with their students. We can take you to the Apple HQ Store (and Museum when it is completed) which you can enter. Another place where we can only visit the outside is the Palo Alto Garage, the birthplace of HP and one of the locations regarded as the birthplace of Silicon valley. A chance to raise important issues for the future.

Links to learning include - legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues, consequences of uses of computing, fundamentals of cyber security, ethical, legal and environmental impacts of digital technology on wider society, including issues of privacy, communication and the internet, the bigger picture – emerging trends, issues and impact, system security.

Stanford computer scientists and the Computer History Museum have installed exhibits within the Gates Computer Science building containing historical equipment and documents focusing on Stanford's role in the history of computing. This is one of the world’s great institutions of education so a great opportunity for students to be in the heart of tomorrow’s computing.

Links to learning include - fundamentals of programming, fundamentals of data structures, fundamentals of algorithms, fundamentals of databases, fundamentals of functional programming, systematic approach to problem solving, theory of computation, fundamentals of data representation, fundamentals of computer systems, fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture, consequences of uses of computing, fundamentals of communication and networking, big data.

Discover why computing history is more than 2,000 years old. Explore how technology and computers have impacted the way we work, play, and live through the Computer History Museum’s rich selection of onsite and online exhibits - you can hear from the pioneering men and women who built the computing industry and changed the world. Experience demonstrations of the 5-ton Babbage Difference Engine No. 2, and learn just how noisy a fully operational IBM 1401 mainframe system can be!

You students will get the chance to come to terms with the size of early computers. Links to learning include: computer system, theory of computation, systems architecture, system security, computational logic, legal, moral, cultural and ethical issues, consequences of uses of computing.

Go behind the scenes in Silicon Valley - see what it’s like inside an ultra-clean, highly automated silicon chip factory, and connect with technologies that give us new ways to work, learn, play, and communicate. 

The guided tour and interactive opportunities give an enjoyable learning experience. Links to learning include: computer systems, fundamentals of data structures, fundamentals of computer organisation and architecture, the characteristics of contemporary processors, input, output and storage devices, exchanging data, elements of computational thinking.

An opportunity to get an inside look at life at Berkeley, the University of California, on your way to San Francisco. 

You can take a guided campus tour with one of their Campus Ambassadors.

An opportunity to take in the wonderful iconic sights of San Francisco such as the Golden Gate Bridge with a sightseeing tour as well as some time for shopping in this fantastic city. 

Students will love the opportunity of some time spent in San Francisco!

Alcatraz operated from 1934 to 1963 and is best known as one of the world's most legendary prisons. Alcatraz was once home to some of the USA's most notorious criminals such as Al "Scarface" Capone, and the "Birdman". A must see opportunity whilst in this part of the globe! (Please see supervisory ratio restrictions below).

Special note - One adult leader (aged 21 years or older) is required for every seven students.