Welcome
Welcome to the Ri's Masterclass attendee page. We're delighted to be welcoming you to our beautiful building and have put together some information to help you make the most of your Masterclass experience.
Ri Masterclasses are relaxed learning environments designed to make you think creatively about STEM subjects. We want to make sure everyone feels welcome and enjoys taking part.
Accessibility and Additional Support
You can find out more about accessibility and additional support available at Masterclasses on our Support at Ri Masterclasses webpage. If you have a question or would like to discuss any additional accessibility and support needs, please email the Masterclass team at masterclasses@ri.ac.uk who will be happy to help.
Masterclasses overview
Masterclasses are a series of fun, hands-on workshops where you can explore mathematics or computer science topics beyond what you may learn at school. There are usually 6 sessions in each series, featuring a different expert speaker leading a workshop on a new topic each week. Our speaker pool is diverse and includes people working in lots of different areas - including mathematical artists, game designers, musicians, magicians, ethical hackers, industry professionals, teachers, and university professors. The one thing they all have in common is a passion for mathematics or computer science.
You will be sent a programme of workshop topics and speakers before the start of your series, which may be subject to change. Notice of any changes will be sent via email to the parent or carer who completed the registration.
Each Masterclass workshop is two hours long, except for Secondary Maths Masterclass workshops, which are two and a half hours long. You will spend some time listening to your speaker and some time doing activities yourself, sometimes working in pairs or groups. All classes have a short ten-minute break in the middle where you can have a drink and some snacks, which we provide. Breaks usually take place in the same room, and you are welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks. We may ask you to not bring snacks containing any nut products.
Each workshop will have two supervisors who are there to support you each week, as well as a few helpers who may be different each week.
Masterclasses at the Ri
Your First Day
When arriving on your first day, someone from the team will welcome you and show you where things are. During your first class, you will have an introductory talk given by a member of the Masterclass team to introduce you to the Masterclass programme and the Ri. This typically takes place in our theatre, and your parent/carer will be invited to listen to the talk.
You will then be introduced to your room supervisor and taken to the room that you will be in for each session with the rest of your group. In the following weeks, you will be asked to go straight to your room at the beginning of the session and there will be a starter activity waiting for you. At the end of the session, your parent/carer will collect you from the room you are in, or you may leave by yourself if your supervisor has your parent/carer's permission to do so. Parents and carers may also wait in the building during your session, with seating available on our lower ground and ground floor.
If you are running late or unable to attend a session, please let us know by emailing masterclasses@ri.ac.uk. We appreciate that trains can be delayed or cancelled and we will never give your space away. However, for your own benefit please do try to arrive on time.
Room Details
Masterclasses are held in different rooms across the building, depending on your assigned group. The team will let you know where your sessions will take place and inform you of any weekly room changes. Each room has a different capacity, typically around 30. There are no set seating plans in the rooms, but if you would like to sit somewhere specific, please speak with your supervisor or contact us in advance about any accessibility needs.
Classes commonly take place in the Conversation Room and Sunley Room (ground floor), Library, Demonstration Room, and Georgian Room (first floor), as well as the Young Scientist Centre (YSC, lower ground floor).
Bags and coats may be kept in the room with you, under your desk or chair. If your session is taking place in the Young Scientist Centre (YSC), you will be asked to keep your belongings in the dedicated breakout space adjacent to the YSC. No food or drink is allowed to enter the YSC, and breaks take place in the adjacent breakout space.
Additional Facilities
There is usually a dedicated quiet room available in the Writing Room, and a prayer space in the Speakers Room, both situated on the first floor. Please speak to a member of the team if you would like to make use of these spaces, and to confirm any changes in rooms.
There are staircases to take you to each floor, and one lift. All floor levels are announced in the lift. Toilets are located on the ground floor. These include male, female, gender neutral and accessible toilets.
Certificate giving session
On the final week, all participants who have attended more than half the sessions will receive a certificate, and their families will be invited to a certificate giving session after your workshop ends to celebrate your achievements. This usually takes place in the theatre, depending on availability. At the end of your last workshop, your supervisor will take you to the theatre and ask you to sit in alphabetical order with the rest of your workshop group. During the ceremony, your names will be called in small groups, and you will be asked to come to the front of the theatre to receive your certificate whilst the audience claps for you.
You can speak to your supervisor if you are unable to attend the certificate giving session or would like to discuss alternative options.
Venue details
The Ri is located a 5-minute walk from Green Park underground station, 10-minute walk from Bond Street underground station or Piccadilly Circus. There is no free parking near the Ri, however, Blue Badge holders can park for free in designated bays on Cork Street and Mayfair Place, a short walk away.
You can find out more about our venue accessibility, and how we can support you further, on our Support at Ri Masterclasses webpage.
If you have any other questions about the venue please contact the Masterclasses team.
Code of Conduct
We have a Masterclasses Code of Conduct, which all attendees of Masterclasses are expected to follow.
There will be at least one supervisor present throughout the Masterclass, in each room. If you are uncomfortable about anything, for example, something another person is saying or doing, you can tell one of the supervisors in your room. They will deal with the matter appropriately and as quickly as possible.
Masterclass celebration day
You will have the opportunity to return to the Ri during the Masterclass Celebration Day, hosted in the summer term. We will invite you and your family to join us at the Ri in London, or via the online livestream, for talks from exciting computer scientists and mathematicians sharing big ideas in their subject. The day will also feature a panel discussion to discuss student’s next steps in STEM and a lunchtime Ri quiz.
More information on the celebration event and certificate giving ceremony will be provided to you by the Masterclass Team towards the end of your series.