Business Studies/Computer Science Trip to USA - Select School Tours

Business Studies/Computer Science Trip to USA

Key Highlights

Location

USA, San Jose, San Fransisco

Subject

Business Studies, Computer Science

Duration

8 days, 6 nights

Transport

Air

About this trip

A tour to San Francisco and San Jose offers students the opportunity to experience many of the iconic sites at the forefront of the computer industry. Students will also take part in some hands-on activities that will motivate, enthuse and bring learning and career opportunities to life. Seeing real-life enterprises is an excellent way to create enthusiasm for computer science and its application, inspiring the next generation. This is a great tour for KS4-5 and a once in a lifetime opportunity! Other durations are available – speak to one of our expert travel advisors who will guide you through the options.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 Find out more

Arrive in San Francisco
Coach transfer to San Jose
Evening meal – overnight Silicon Valley

Day 2 Find out more

Visit the Tech Museum in the morning
Afternoon visit to the Computer History Museum
Evening meal – overnight in Silicon Valley

Day 3 Find out more

Morning guided tour Googleplex campus, Apple Store & Museum, outside of Ebay HQ & Ebay Park
Visit Stanford University
Evening meal – overnight Silicon Valley

Day 4 Find out more

Morning guided cultural tour
Afternoon departure to San Francisco via a visit to Berkeley University
Evening meal – overnight San Francisco

Day 5 Find out more

Morning guided tour of San Francisco
Afternoon free time for shopping
Evening meal – overnight San Francisco

Day 6 Find out more

San Francisco boat harbour tour
Alcatraz guided tour – NOTE this visit is only possible with a 1:9 adult to student ratio
Company visit
Evening meal – overnight San Francisco

Day 7 Find out more

Morning free time
Afternoon transfer to airport for overnight flight back to UK

Day 8 Find out more

Arrive back in the UK

Excursion Ideas

Tech Museum of Innovation Find out more

Tech Museum of Innovation

Subject Range: Computer Science

What you’ll experience: 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

Select Says: 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.

Exploratorium Find out more

Exploratorium

Subject Range: Computer Science

What you’ll experience: 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!

Select Says: 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 Centre Find out more

NASA Ames Research Centre

Subject Range: Computer Science

What you’ll experience: 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.

Select Says: 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.

Santa Clara Interlocking Control Tower Find out more

Santa Clara Interlocking Control Tower

Subject Range: Computer Science

What you’ll experience: 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.

Select Says: 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.

Silicon Valley Tour Find out more

Silicon Valley Tour

Subject Range: Computer Science

What you’ll experience: 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.

Select Says: 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 University Tour Find out more

Stanford University Tour

Subject Range: Computer Science

What you’ll experience: 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.

Select Says: 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.

Computer History Museum Find out more

Computer History Museum

Subject Range: Computer Science

What you’ll experience: 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!

Select Says: 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.

Intel Museum Find out more

Intel Museum

Subject Range: Computer Science

What you’ll experience: 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.

Select Says: 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.

University of California, Berkeley Find out more

University of California, Berkeley

Subject Range: Computer Science

What you’ll experience: An opportunity to get an inside look at life at Berkeley, the University of California, on your way to San Francisco.

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

San Francisco Sightseeing Find out more

San Francisco Sightseeing

Subject Range: Cultural

What you’ll experience: 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.

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

Alcatraz Find out more

Alcatraz

Subject Range: Cultural, History

What you’ll experience: 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).

Select Says: Special note – One adult leader (aged 21 years or older) is required for every nine students.

Accommodation Options

Clarion Inn Silicon Valley Find out more

Clarion Inn Silicon Valley

Our Rating:

Location: San Jose

What you’ll experience: Located near the San Jose International Airport in San Jose, the technological hub of California! Well situated for your San Jose itinerary. Rooms: All rooms have en-suite facilities. Facilities: Free WiFi, guest laundry facilities.

Comfort Inn by the Bay – San Francisco Find out more

Comfort Inn by the Bay – San Francisco

Our Rating:

Location: San Francisco

What you’ll experience: This is a well-positioned hotel in San Francisco, located close to Fisherman’s Wharf. Union Square, Pier 39 and the Port of San Francisco. Great accommodation for our groups. Rooms: Bedrooms all have en-suite bathrooms. All guest rooms are equipped with TVs, coffee makers, hair dryers and irons and ironing boards. Facilities: Free WiFi and hot breakfast offered.

Accommodation 15 Find out more

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