Pop-Up Museum - Computers Get Personal

Bring our mini-museum to your school!

We can bring a mini version of the museum to you! This fascinating, interactive display will allow your students to experience the machines of another era. They will gain an understanding of how the mainframe computers of the '60s and '70s became small enough to evolve into personal computers and devices and how computing has become so pervasive in our lives today.

The display includes iconic computers and video game consoles dating back to the mid seventies and includes:

Altair 8800 - 1975
Binatone PONG Console - 1977
Commodore PET Computer - 1977
Atari 2600 Game Console - 1977
Sinclair ZX81 Computer - 1981
BBC Micro Computer - 1981
IBM PC Computer - 1981
Commodore 64 Home Computer - 1982
Sinclair ZX Spectrum Home Computer - 1982
Apple Macintosh Computer - 1984
Nintendo NES Game Console - 1986
Commodore Amiga Computer - 1987
Toshiba Satellite Laptop - 1995
Apple iMac - 1998

 

Osborne 1 - Portable Computer- 1981

Motorola 8800x Brick Phone - 1987
Apple Newton MessagePad - 1993
Apple Quicktake Camera - 1994
Apple iPhone

Raspberry Pi Computer - 2012
BBC Micro:Bit - 2016

We'll also bring ...
Punch cards, floppy disks,
magazines and books.

 

Our mobile computer museum is very interactive and we will have as many of these machines working as possible with playable video games and interactive software. The display uses original tech including glass tube televisions where appropriate. This adds an extra dimension to the display demonstrating how other technologies have become obsolete over time.

We will bring along pop-up banners to add information to the display and each exhibit will have an accompanying information panel. 

Workshop Format

We are very flexible regarding the frequency and format of the workshops and are happy to fit with your timetable. The sessions should be a minimum of 60 minutes but ideally 90 minutes. Each session will involve a lively presentation by our staff followed by some hands-on time with the exhibits, and rounded up with a question and answer session where we will ask what the students have learned about computing history.

Our staff will adjust the level at which the session is pitched depending on the keystage of the students. 

Practical Points

Set-up Time
We will need about 2 hours to set-up the computers and about 1 hour to pack them away again at the end of the day.
For schools located more than 60 miles from the museum we will travel to your location the day before we are due. In this situation, if possible, we prefer to set-up the day/afternoon or evening before so there is minimal rushing about on the morning of the workshops.

Space Requirements & Access
We will require one room for the duration of the day (it's not possible to move the computers around). We will also require at least 5 mains plug sockets and 10 clear desks. All of our equipment and cables are PAT tested. The designated classroom MUST be on the ground floor. We use trolleys to bring the heavy machines in and these cannot be taken up stairs. If there is lift access then non-ground floor classrooms are feasible but this does add significantly to the set-up time.

 

Cost Calculator

Select the nearest town/city :

Select the number of schools :
For two or more schools in one area that book workshops on consecutive days , we offer BOTH schools a discount due to fuel savings. Please note that the bookings must be for consecutive days and must be pre-agreed with the other local schools before booking.

Please be aware that this cost calculation is for guideline purposes only. In most cases the costs are accurate, but will need to be confirmed with our education team prior to booking.
 

 

Advantages

  • We can fit with your school day
  • Reach a larger number of your pupils
  • No need for expensive coach bookings
  • No need for additional staff cover
  • Tailored to your curriculm
  • Easy to plan

 
Our mobile computer museum has also featured at events for these organisations too!
Mobile Computer Museum

 

History of Computers - School Visits

 

Cancellations and Changes
Please be aware that for external events and school visits we book services with third parties to 
make the event happen. You will be invoiced at the time of booking which must be paid in full 14 days before the event date. Cancellations cannot be made once the invoice is paid.

 
Vintage Computer - School Visits
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