The Royal Institution Courses

Petrol Powered Machines - Szydlo's At Home Science

Explore the mechanics of petrol-powered tools like lawnmowers and chainsaws, and discover the science behind combustion engines through engaging demonstrations and practical examples.

• YouTube
• 33 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

How Photos Were Taken 100 Years Ago - Szydlo's At Home Science

Experience the fascinating process of Victorian-era photography, from camera setup to image development, with an exciting demonstration featuring magnesium flash powder for illumination.

• YouTube
• 35 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Maths of Contagion: Why Things Spread and Why They Stop - With Adam Kucharski

Explore mathematical models for disease spread, misinformation, and internet memes. Learn how outbreaks occur, why some are predictable, and strategies for controlling epidemics and viral content.

• YouTube
• 55 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

A Tour Through the History of Photography - Szydlo's At Home Science

Explore the evolution of photography through vintage cameras, understanding the physics and chemistry behind image capture, from pinhole cameras to digital technology and photogram development.

• YouTube
• 41 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Observing the Birth of the Universe - With Lyman Page

Explore the universe's birth through cosmic microwave background variations, revealing its age, size, and structure formation. Insights from a leading experimental cosmologist on observational cosmology.

• YouTube
• 56 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Meteorology and Metallurgy - Szydlo's At Home Science

Explore the evolution of matter theories and their impact on meteorology, featuring barometer demonstrations and exciting mercury experiments with Andrew Szydlo.

• YouTube
• 41 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

How to Fix a Leaking Tap with Chemistry - Szydlo's At Home Science

Explore the chemistry and mechanics behind leaking taps, from limescale removal to tap mechanisms. Learn practical solutions and gain insights into various tap designs and maintenance techniques.

• YouTube
• 45 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Chemistry of Coins - Szydlo's At Home Science

Explore the fascinating chemistry of coins, from unusual lab equipment to copper analysis and complex ions, in this engaging demonstration of practical scientific concepts.

• YouTube
• 31 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Chemical Electricity - Szydlo's At Home Science

Explore the chemistry of batteries and electricity with Andrew Szydlo, from Volta's pioneering work to recent Nobel prizes. Witness exciting experiments and learn about the evolution of electrical cells.

• YouTube
• 39 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

AI and Artificially Enhanced Brains - With Susan Schneider

Exploring the philosophical and ethical implications of merging human brains with AI, including consciousness in robots, mind-machine interfaces, and the future of human intelligence.

• YouTube
• 50 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Science Experiments with Potassium Permanganate - Szydlo's At Home Science

Explore the fascinating chemistry of potassium permanganate through engaging experiments, covering redox reactions, color changes, and the intriguing properties of phosphorus.

• YouTube
• 45 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

How Einstein Abolished the Aether - With John Spence

Explore the history of light speed measurement and Einstein's revolutionary ideas, featuring stories of great scientists and their quest to understand the nature of light propagation in space.

• YouTube
• 1 hour
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Will Computers Ever Think Like Human Beings? - With Vint Cerf

Explore the challenges of creating human-like artificial intelligence with Internet pioneer Vint Cerf. Delve into neural networks, image classification, and the complexities of replicating human reasoning in computer systems.

• YouTube
• 58 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

How Will Quantum Technology Change Our Lives?

Explore the revolutionary impact of quantum technology on our future, from advanced imaging to secure communications and powerful computing, with insights from leading experts in the field.

• YouTube
• 46 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Rescuing the Hubble Space Telescope - With Kathryn D. Sullivan

Retired astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan shares captivating stories from her work on the Hubble Space Telescope, revealing hidden engineers and offering insights into life in space and satellite maintenance.

• YouTube
• 45 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video