Workshops

Holiday workshops: Digital Designs to Physical Products (ages 12–14)

Explore the exciting connection between math, coding, and manufacturing to create embroidered patterns.

Image credit: Tim Mitchell

How do computers turn digital designs into real-world products? In this hands-on workshop, you'll explore the exciting connection between math, coding, and manufacturing to create your own embroidered patterns!

Using TurtleStitch, a free programming language, you'll design geometric patterns with simple programming commands. Then, watch as a digital embroidery machine stitches your creations onto fabric, bringing your design from a digital design to a physical product.

By coding patterns and bringing them to life with technology, you'll learn how engineers use software to design, measure, and manufacture products. Whether it’s a simple stitched shape or a complex pattern, you’ll see firsthand how digital designs can become physical objects—just like in industry and business!

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 Margaret Low and Phil Jemmett

Margaret Low works with young people encouraging them to become creators as well as consumers of technology in her role as Director of Outreach and Widening Participation for WMG, University of Warwick. Margaret’s interactive workshops explore creative aspects of technology. She collaborates with organisations and communities to explore inclusive, creative learning experiences using technology. Margaret uses TurtleStitch as an approach to physical computing. It bridges the world of programming and textiles in a way that is accessible to young and old alike, bringing a very creative and practical dimension to computer programming.

Phil Jemmett trained in chemistry but left the lab after realising that talking science and inspiring young people to consider STEM careers was more fun. He has delivered events in libraries, museums, community groups, schools, universities, and once in someone’s lounge. Phil works at WMG at the University of Warwick with experts on cutting-edge technologies, sharing their stories with young and old to build trust in science and engineering. After all – if people don’t trust the researchers making innovations possible, the products won’t make it out of the university. Phil believes inspiring the workforce of the future to go into engineering is key to building a green future for everyone to live in.

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