Robots and different realities at Summer Bytes

Fun, games and learning at The National Museum of Computing every afternoon 30 July to 28 August

Stormtroopers at The National Museum of Computing
The month-long Summer Bytes Festival starts at The National Museum of Computing on Bletchley Park on 30 July 2016. Open every afternoon from noon until 5pm, the Festival has fun and learning in store for all the family with opportunities to interact with robots past and present and experience different realities – virtual, augmented, retro and real-time.

For the full day-by-day schedule of events and the Big Bytes bargain ticket, see: www.tnmoc.org/bytes

Mathew Yeomans, Events Manager, said: “There’s something for all the family and plenty to keep youngsters entertained, enthused and stimulated. Once they get a taste of the action, Bytes visitors keep returning, so we offer a special family Big Bytes multiple visit ticket at a bargain price.

The Bytes Festival opens with a Galactic Saturday when visitors can come face-to-face with Star Wars characters including R2-D2. Under 16s coming in sci-fi costume will have free entry.

TNMOC Ops Director Victoria Alexander with R2-D2Throughout August, visitors can experience different realities and see into a completely different world from the safety of our Museum with virtual technology like Oculus Rift and more.

There is stunning augmented reality too with Pokémon Go (the Museum is a Pokémon Gym!), the Quiver app that brings 3D colouring cards to life and an insight of the 4D+ world of Octagon Studios flashcards magically transformed with iPads.

Good old-fashioned retro reality is featured too with computer games that absorbed youth a few decades ago.

Robots past and present meet when 2016 Pepper starts a conversation with George, Tony Sale’s famous robot creation from the 1950s. If words fail George, Pepper will turn to visitors for stimulating conversation – be prepared to meet the future of robotics!

Throughout the four-week festival, there will be lots of fun with learning through STEM activities with a great selection of workshops and talks involving everything from the science of Doctor Who and special effects to F1 in Schools challenge, computer art and music.

Andy Clark, Chairman of TNMOC, said: “If you are wondering how to occupy the family during the summer holidays, there can be few better places for entertainment and learning at a bargain price. Learning and inspiration have always been central to our mission. This Bytes Festival is the best yet and vividly brings to life the technological advances of our age. No parent should miss the opportunity of bringing their family to this incredible informal fun learning opportunity — and no adult should think they’ve seen it all before!

For the full Bytes timetable of events, see www.tnmoc.org/bytes