Workshops

Holiday workshops: Bacterial evolution (ages 15–18)

Using restriction enzyme digests and gel electrophoresis, explore and analyse real bacterial DNA.

Image credit: The Royal Institution

This workshop looks closely at the evolutionary arms race between bacteria and the host immune system and how different strains of bacterial species evolve over time. 

In this workshop, students investigate four fictional bacterial outbreaks by performing restriction enzyme digests on DNA samples isolated from each of the scenes. Using gel electrophoresis, they will then compare the banding patterns to reference samples of known strains. Students will then decide what advice to give their colleagues at the scene of the outbreaks or whether the samples need further investigation. 

About the Young Scientist Centre

The Young Scientist Centre (YSC) is an imaginative science laboratory at the heart of the Ri, where young people aged 7–18 can experiment and explore science and technology outside the classroom. In a YSC workshop, students become a scientist for the day, testing their own ideas by designing creative experiments. The whole experience ignites a passion for scientific discovery and encourages curiosity-driven learning.

Students are given the time and space to experiment. Not constrained by time to produce a ‘right’ result, students work as professional research scientists do: in response to their observations, encouraging curiosity-driven learning. And just as in the best research laboratories, students have access to advanced technology and experiments outside the remit of the normal school curriculum, making this an experience to remember.

For any queries regarding this workshop please get in touch by phone 020 7409 2992 or email events@ri.ac.uk.

This workshop is strictly for 15–18 year-olds and will include a 30 minute lunch break, during which students will be allowed to leave the Ri building. Students should bring lunch and a drink. We reserve the right to refund or deny entry to those who are not in this age range. 

Please note that closed toe shoes must be worn as this workshop takes place in our lab. 

Refunds can only be issued for tickets cancelled at least two weeks (14 calendar days) in advance of the event date. Please note that this supersedes our normal event terms and conditions. Please also note that Eventbrite adds a small booking fee to the amount paid for each ticket option.

Covid guidelines

Face masks are no longer mandatory and wearing one in our Theatre and at other Ri events is at your discretion, however please do not attend the Ri if you are displaying Covid symptoms or, if you have tested, the result remains positive. Thank you for respecting other people and their choices, and for helping us keep all of our visitors and staff safe and well.

Event terms and conditions