Computer Science Trip to Bletchley Park and National Museum of Computing

Our GCSE and A Level Computer Science students recently enjoyed a fascinating trip to Bletchley Park and the National Museum of Computing, delving into the rich history and evolution of computing.

Bletchley Park: Cracking the Lorenz Cipher

At Bletchley Park, students attended a learning session on the Lorenz cipher, used by the German High Command during WWII. They learned about John Tiltman's breakthrough in deciphering Lorenz and engaged in tasks that illustrated the complexity of this cipher, focusing on binary operations and the XOR function. Key activities included:

Understanding WWII ciphers and the challenges of breaking them.
Exploring the vast settings of the Lorenz machine.
Collaboratively solving problems based on historical events.
After the learning session, the students enjoyed a guided tour of Bletchley Park, followed by time to explore the historic site on their own, gaining further insight into the lives and work of the wartime codebreakers.

National Museum of Computing: Evolution of Technology

The visit continued at the National Museum of Computing, where students participated in a guided tour showcasing the evolution of computing technology.

Highlights included:

Viewing historic computers in operation, from WWII code-breaking machines to the first digital semi-programmable computer.
Learning about the development of mainframes, supercomputers, and personal computers.
Discovering the impact of modern microprocessors, mobile technology, and the internet.
This trip provided our students with a deeper understanding of the history of computing, inspiring them to appreciate the technological advancements that shape our world today.

Mrs Helen Williams, Team Leader of Computer Science