Workshops

Holiday workshops: Domino computing (ages 12–14)

Dive into the building blocks of computing in this interactive workshop where teens explore binary, logic gates, and teamwork to create a working half adder.

Image credit: Ed Moore

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!

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 Rufus Roberts

Rufus studied Maths at The University of Liverpool. While there he joined the Maths Busking project which fused maths and street entertainment.

After managing a branch of Mad Science, Rufus went on to found Maths Blast to realise his dream of making maths hands-on and accessible to all levels. 
Rufus has delivered maths session across the world. A personal highlight was delivering a summer camp to Syrian refugees in Akkar, Lebanon.

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