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Computing KS3/4: The Royal Institute Christmas Lectures 2014

BBC Teach > Secondary Resources > KS3 Computing / GCSE Computing

Series of lectures on a single topic, presenting scientific subjects to a general audience in an informative and entertaining manner.

In this selection of highlights from the 2014 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, Professor Danielle George reveals the amazing technology behind the gadgets we take for granted and shows how they can be hacked and adapted to do amazing things.

Suitable for: Teaching Computing, ICT and Computer Science at KS3 and GCSE/KS4 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 2nd Level and National 4/5 in Scotland.

Feedback loops
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Feedback loops

Professor Danielle George demonstrates what feedback loops are by asking a child to match the note that she plays on a swanee whistle.

How does a digital camera work?
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How does a digital camera work?

Professor Danielle George explains how a digital camera’s CMOS sensor captures an image, using balls and buckets to represent photons, electrons and capacitors.

How LED screens work
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How LED screens work

Professor Danielle George explains how an LED screen works, showing how the individual LEDs are controlled by switches.

How robots can work together in a swarm
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How robots can work together in a swarm

Paul Beardsley from Disney Research Zurich explains how the 50 pixelbot robots work together in a swarm to create animations.

The Mars Rover and autonomous navigation
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The Mars Rover and autonomous navigation

ExoMars Rover Engineer Abbie Hutty, from Airbus Defence and Space explains how the Mars Rover uses 3D cameras to create a map of the Mars landscape.

Solving a Rubik's cube by smartphone
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Solving a Rubik's cube by smartphone

Professor Danielle George explains how a smartphone and mechanical arms made of bricks can solve a Rubik’s cube in less than five seconds.

What can 3D printing be used for?
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What can 3D printing be used for?

Professor Danielle George explains how 3D printing works and demonstrates an object being printed in real time.

Touching virtual objects
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Touching virtual objects

How haptic technology allows you feel things that aren’t really there. Professor Danielle George demonstrates using a “haptic cow”.