Today more than ever, there has been a visible push for young people, especially females, to pursue a career in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). And a visit to Silicon Valley, Calif., the international capital of tomorrow’s greatest inventions, can be a great way for families to inspire their children to discover a passion for one of these fields.
Share with tech-loving clients insights into the following places — including museums and the campuses of tech giants such as Apple and Google — so that they can experience firsthand some of the most cutting-edge technology.
Apple
Take a stroll through the Apple Park Visitor Center in Cupertino, Calif., an airy building that integrates seamlessly into the natural landscape outdoors. In addition to enjoying bright, clean architecture, visitors can also attend Today at Apple sessions. There, experts give lessons in using Apple products, such as how to edit photos and videos.
www.apple.com
Apple Park Visitor Center integrates with the surrounding landscape.
Credit: 2019 Creative Commons user shinyasuzukiComputer History Museum
For clients — or their children — interested specifically in computer science, Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Calif., offers many interesting activities such as learning Photoshop from experts, sitting in a self-driving car and trying coding. Despite these cutting-edge, futuristic innovations, visitors may be surprised to learn that computer history is not a new field; it is more than 2,000 years old.
www.computerhistory.org
Googleplex
Search for the Android Lawn Statues — which reflect the whimsical, dessert-themed names of Google’s Android operating systems — at Googleplex in Mountain View, the corporate headquarters of Google and its parent company, Alphabet Inc. Clients can join a tour, such as the Silicon Valley Legends Tour with the Silicon Valley Innovation Center, if they want to have a look inside the facilities.
The Android Lawn Statues are examples of some of Googleplex’s quirky art.
Credit: 2019 Creative Commons user atomictacoIntel Museum
In the production of silicon chips, Intel is a leader of decades-long research in computing, communications and electronics. The Intel Museum, in Santa Clara, Calif., provides 10,000 square feet of interactive space where families can learn about how Intel has revolutionized communication, entertainment, the workplace and more. The museum also offers student and group tours through which participants can learn about Intel microprocessor history, silicon chip design and chip fabrication.
to the Intel Museum learn about Intel’s history as a leading chip-maker.
Credit: 2019 Creative Commons user ddeboldwww.intel.com
Silicon Valley Innovation Center
For families looking for a day tour that goes behind the scenes of Silicon Valley’s most famous companies (such as Apple, Google, Tesla and Stanford), consider Silicon Valley Innovation Center, an educational tour organizer that offers travel advisor commission and several itineraries for touring Silicon Valley.
The Silicon Valley Legends Tour, for example, covers Stanford University, Google Headquarters, and the Apple Visitor Center, as well as letting visitors experience the autonomous driving features of a Tesla Model X. Participants can interact with technology demos and test products, as well as learn the latest about emerging fields, such as Internet of things (the extension of Internet connection to technologically-embedded physical objects) and virtual reality.
www.siliconvalley.center
The Tech Interactive
When clients go to the The Tech Interactive (formerly The Tech Museum of Innovation), or The Tech, they can experience interactive robotics, practice their cybersecurity aptitude, learn firsthand about physics and more.
Located in San Jose, Calif., The Tech is also home to Body Worlds Decoded, a technologically upgraded version of the original exhibit featuring plastinated human bodies. Now, visitors can use immersive 3D models to learn about the body’s anatomy.
In addition, the museum hosts regularly scheduled events such as Stanford at The Tech, where Stanford University students come and teach participants about genetics and biology.
www.thetech.org
