Workshops

Holiday workshops: Card tricks and computing (ages 12–14)

Explore surprising connections between maths, magic and programming.

Image credit: Tim Mitchell

Step into the world of digital thinking! In this workshop, teens will decode the binary number system—the language of computers—and discover how simple on/off states power complex technology. Through hands-on challenges, participants will construct logic gates using dominos, exploring how basic principles like AND, OR, and XOR form the building blocks of computing. The final challenge? Team up to build a working half adder, combining logic and physics to simulate how computers add binary numbers. It’s maths, engineering, and a bit of chain-reaction fun all rolled into one!

About Barbara Pellegrino

Barbara has had a passion for teaching for as long as she can remember. After obtaining a first class degree in Physics from the University of Nottingham, Barbara was awarded a scholarship from the Institute of Mathematics to train as a secondary maths teacher.

Barbara is now a partner at Maths Blast delivering maths workshops, masterclasses and private tuition.

This workshop is strictly for ages 12-14 only. We reserve the right to refund or deny entry to those who are not in this age range. 

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.

About our workshops

Holiday workshops at the Royal Institution give students a hands-on experience of STEM topics (science, technology, engineering, maths) beyond what they learn at school. Working in groups or pairs, students will get hands-on to complete activities, challenges or projects which help them look deeper at the subject they are exploring. These workshops don’t follow the school curriculum but instead show students the many real world uses of STEM topics, expanding their horizons beyond the classroom to see the amazing possibilities science can give you. Sessions are led by experts from across industry and academia who will share with the students their excitement and knowledge of their areas of expertise.

For any queries regarding this workshop please email events@ri.ac.uk.

Support to attend holiday workshops

The Potential Trust may be able to offer financial assistance to enable children to participate in Ri events and activities if this would otherwise be financially difficult. Please contact Denise Yates, or at their new email address here

 

 

Event terms and conditions