Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
@cs4fn.bsky.social
CS4FN is a project based at QMUL to inspire and educate about interdisciplinary computer science in a fun way. Read our blog at cs4fn.blog.
More on learning about computer science through Lego on the CS4FN blog- what do we mean when we argue programming is about pure creativity starting with Olafur Eliasson's wonderful interactive art
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/08/l...
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/08/l...
Lego Computer Science: Programming Creativity
Image by Paul Curzon taken at Tate Modern London at Olafur Eliasson’s “The cubic structural evolution project” exhibition, 2019. My absolute favourite example of interactive art i…
cs4fn.blog
January 9, 2026 at 8:40 AM
More on learning about computer science through Lego on the CS4FN blog- what do we mean when we argue programming is about pure creativity starting with Olafur Eliasson's wonderful interactive art
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/08/l...
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/08/l...
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
Bedroom to the battlefield: How the UK military is embracing gamers and coders www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Could gamers be the secret weapon of a modern UK military?
The British Armed Forces has asked gamers and coders to consider signing up, but can it convince them?
www.bbc.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Bedroom to the battlefield: How the UK military is embracing gamers and coders www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
In case anyone is running out of ideas here’s my go to snow day lesson:
Why do gritters spread salt?
Get the same amount of snow in 2 bowls the same size. Sprinkle salt on one. Watch the bowls carefully. Tell/write down what they see.
If you’ve done that then…
Why do gritters spread salt?
Get the same amount of snow in 2 bowls the same size. Sprinkle salt on one. Watch the bowls carefully. Tell/write down what they see.
If you’ve done that then…
January 8, 2026 at 6:31 PM
In case anyone is running out of ideas here’s my go to snow day lesson:
Why do gritters spread salt?
Get the same amount of snow in 2 bowls the same size. Sprinkle salt on one. Watch the bowls carefully. Tell/write down what they see.
If you’ve done that then…
Why do gritters spread salt?
Get the same amount of snow in 2 bowls the same size. Sprinkle salt on one. Watch the bowls carefully. Tell/write down what they see.
If you’ve done that then…
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
We've removed the paywall from this guide so everyone can access it. 👇 Stay safe.
Just days into 2026, the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sparked protests around the US.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
How to Protest Safely in the Age of Surveillance
Law enforcement has more tools than ever to track your movements and access your communications. Here’s how to protect your privacy if you plan to protest.
www.wired.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:35 PM
We've removed the paywall from this guide so everyone can access it. 👇 Stay safe.
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
Inside the sub-zero lair of the world's most powerful computer www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Inside the sub-zero lair of the world's most powerful quantum computer
Faisal Islam gets rare access to Willow - Google's quantum computer.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Inside the sub-zero lair of the world's most powerful computer www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"God has an inordinate fondness for beetles". A reason they are so successful is that their skeleton is outside their body. This kind of skeleton is called an exoskeleton. Humans are now trying to get in on the act with exoskeletons as robots you wear.
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/05/a... (from the archive)
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/05/a... (from the archive)
A wearable robot – computer-powered exoskeletons
Blue beetle image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay Beetles are one of the most prolific species on the planet. As the famous geneticist J.B.S. Haldane is supposed to have said: God has an i…
cs4fn.blog
January 6, 2026 at 8:29 AM
"God has an inordinate fondness for beetles". A reason they are so successful is that their skeleton is outside their body. This kind of skeleton is called an exoskeleton. Humans are now trying to get in on the act with exoskeletons as robots you wear.
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/05/a... (from the archive)
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/05/a... (from the archive)
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
Nvidia unveils 'reasoning' AI technology for self-driving cars www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Nvidia unveils 'reasoning' AI technology for self-driving cars
The chip giant is partnering with Mercedes-Benz to launch a driverless car powered by its 'Alpamayo' tech.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 8:18 AM
Nvidia unveils 'reasoning' AI technology for self-driving cars www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
Car giant Hyundai to use human-like robots in factories www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Car giant Hyundai to use human-like robots in factories
The firm plans to deploy the technology at the same plant that was involved in a huge immigration raid in 2025.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 8:19 AM
Car giant Hyundai to use human-like robots in factories www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
We find that physically simulating AI reasoning processes helps learners concretize abstract concepts. If you're interested in trying any of the activities for yourself or learning more about our AI Unplugged initiative, check out our project website: aiunplugged.soc.northwestern.edu
January 5, 2026 at 4:16 PM
We find that physically simulating AI reasoning processes helps learners concretize abstract concepts. If you're interested in trying any of the activities for yourself or learning more about our AI Unplugged initiative, check out our project website: aiunplugged.soc.northwestern.edu
Can you crack the cipher of the Knights Templar? They were warrior monks but also early international "bankers" aiming to protect pilgrims but also their money, and used encryption with their own cipher to exchange messages.
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/02/t...
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/02/t...
The Knights Templar Cipher
The flag of the Knight’s Templar. Image by CS4FN The Knights Templar were a 12th century order of catholic warrior monks, more accurately if convolutedly called “The Poor Fellow-So…
cs4fn.blog
January 5, 2026 at 8:48 AM
Can you crack the cipher of the Knights Templar? They were warrior monks but also early international "bankers" aiming to protect pilgrims but also their money, and used encryption with their own cipher to exchange messages.
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/02/t...
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/02/t...
Bored or stressed (or want to develop your algorithmic thinking skills)? Doodledraw a snowflake following our doodle art algorithm, then invent your own algorithms and carry on doodling. From a few instructions a new snowflake emerges, slightly different every time.
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/01/d...
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/01/d...
January 1, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Bored or stressed (or want to develop your algorithmic thinking skills)? Doodledraw a snowflake following our doodle art algorithm, then invent your own algorithms and carry on doodling. From a few instructions a new snowflake emerges, slightly different every time.
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/01/d...
cs4fn.blog/2026/01/01/d...
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
Here is my contribution to #genuary #genuary2026 #genuary1 One color, one shape. My color is blue. And this is my shape.
January 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Here is my contribution to #genuary #genuary2026 #genuary1 One color, one shape. My color is blue. And this is my shape.
Lego Computer Science continues: learning about the structured program theorem through Lego instructions
cs4fn.blog/2025/12/29/l...
cs4fn.blog/2025/12/29/l...
Lego Computer Science: sequence, selection and iteration
Image by Thomas G. from Pixabay Programming languages have lots of control structures, like if-statements and while loops, case-statements and for loops, method call and return, … but a famou…
cs4fn.blog
December 30, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Lego Computer Science continues: learning about the structured program theorem through Lego instructions
cs4fn.blog/2025/12/29/l...
cs4fn.blog/2025/12/29/l...
There is lots of Norovirus about at the moment so here is a CS4FN article about Poo-linked computer science about Ancient Egypt. Unicode has Poo! (and in the meantime wash your hands well and start the new year well!)
cs4fn.blog/2025/12/29/u...
cs4fn.blog/2025/12/29/u...
Unicode Poo
Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay Fact for the day: There is poo in unicode Unicode is the way that computers represent characters in a way that means all human languages (and some alien ones li…
cs4fn.blog
December 29, 2025 at 8:49 AM
There is lots of Norovirus about at the moment so here is a CS4FN article about Poo-linked computer science about Ancient Egypt. Unicode has Poo! (and in the meantime wash your hands well and start the new year well!)
cs4fn.blog/2025/12/29/u...
cs4fn.blog/2025/12/29/u...
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
Congrats to the projects (funded by the Civil Aviation Authority and Department for Transport's "Reach for the Sky" £750,000 grant) who'll run a series of events to inspire young people to consider careers in aviation www.gov.uk/government/n...
cc @cs4fn.bsky.social
cc @cs4fn.bsky.social
December 27, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Congrats to the projects (funded by the Civil Aviation Authority and Department for Transport's "Reach for the Sky" £750,000 grant) who'll run a series of events to inspire young people to consider careers in aviation www.gov.uk/government/n...
cc @cs4fn.bsky.social
cc @cs4fn.bsky.social
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
Today's @cs4fn.bsky.social Christmas Computing Advent Calendar has a Christmas tree on the front, so the post is about the Wood Computer. A computer both made OF wood (punched paper cards) & designed to help you 'compute' different woods by telling them apart. Merry Christmas :)
cs4fn.blog/advent/
cs4fn.blog/advent/
December 25, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Today's @cs4fn.bsky.social Christmas Computing Advent Calendar has a Christmas tree on the front, so the post is about the Wood Computer. A computer both made OF wood (punched paper cards) & designed to help you 'compute' different woods by telling them apart. Merry Christmas :)
cs4fn.blog/advent/
cs4fn.blog/advent/
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
Today's post on the @cs4fn.bsky.social CS4FN Christmas Computing Advent Calendar lists some of the online ways you can 'track' Santa's sleigh including NORAD, FlightRadar and Google. Also how to see the International Space Station (cloud permitting) - updated for 2025 cs4fn.blog/advent/
December 24, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Today's post on the @cs4fn.bsky.social CS4FN Christmas Computing Advent Calendar lists some of the online ways you can 'track' Santa's sleigh including NORAD, FlightRadar and Google. Also how to see the International Space Station (cloud permitting) - updated for 2025 cs4fn.blog/advent/
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
Father Christmas is getting ready for the big day on our @cs4fn.bsky.social Christmas Computing Advent Calendar. He's making a list but checking it once (because he remembered to add a parity bit to check for errors). You can try this out as a game with a pack of cards :) cs4fn.blog/advent/
CS4FN Christmas Computing Advent Calendar
Every day in December a new ‘door’ will open and a new blog post about computing that is currently hidden behind it will become unlocked. We originally ran our advent calendar in 2021 a…
cs4fn.blog
December 23, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Father Christmas is getting ready for the big day on our @cs4fn.bsky.social Christmas Computing Advent Calendar. He's making a list but checking it once (because he remembered to add a parity bit to check for errors). You can try this out as a game with a pack of cards :) cs4fn.blog/advent/
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
NASA used textile workers to weave the Apollo Guidance Computer's memory with wires and ferrules to create core rope memory, find out how to make your own (MUCH simpler version!) in today's wreath-themed @cs4fn.bsky.social CS4FN Christmas Computing Advent Calendar post cs4fn.blog/advent/
December 22, 2025 at 10:15 AM
NASA used textile workers to weave the Apollo Guidance Computer's memory with wires and ferrules to create core rope memory, find out how to make your own (MUCH simpler version!) in today's wreath-themed @cs4fn.bsky.social CS4FN Christmas Computing Advent Calendar post cs4fn.blog/advent/
Particularly like - don't use clicker apps in class ask them to hum against their choice instead .... (it sounds far more fun)
Over the years I've been asked many times for advice on pedagogy, what to read to learn more, etc. I've finally put together a bunch of materials into one blog post: Key Advice • Readings • Neuromyths • For Computer Scientists • Classroom Tips. Enjoy!
parentheticallyspeaking.org/articles/ped...
parentheticallyspeaking.org/articles/ped...
Pedagogy Recommendations
Parenthetically Speaking: Articles by Shriram Krishnamurthi
parentheticallyspeaking.org
December 21, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Particularly like - don't use clicker apps in class ask them to hum against their choice instead .... (it sounds far more fun)
@tomgauld.bsky.social's XMAS TV ad idea generator algorithm...
December 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
@tomgauld.bsky.social's XMAS TV ad idea generator algorithm...
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
Day 20: Today is the last Royal Mail posting date for UK 1st class (23rd for special delivery) and the image on the CS4FN Christmas Computing Advent Calendar door is a gift tag... so today's post is all about internet addressing!
cs4fn.blog/advent/
cc @cs4fn.bsky.social
@qmuleecs.bsky.social
cs4fn.blog/advent/
cc @cs4fn.bsky.social
@qmuleecs.bsky.social
December 20, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Day 20: Today is the last Royal Mail posting date for UK 1st class (23rd for special delivery) and the image on the CS4FN Christmas Computing Advent Calendar door is a gift tag... so today's post is all about internet addressing!
cs4fn.blog/advent/
cc @cs4fn.bsky.social
@qmuleecs.bsky.social
cs4fn.blog/advent/
cc @cs4fn.bsky.social
@qmuleecs.bsky.social
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
It's jingle bells today on the @qmuleecs.bsky.social @cs4fn.bsky.social Christmas Computing Advent Calendar. But they're warning bells, about scams (that can take advantage of the Christmas season).
Also take Google's phishing quiz and see how many examples you can spot cs4fn.blog/advent/
Also take Google's phishing quiz and see how many examples you can spot cs4fn.blog/advent/
December 19, 2025 at 7:05 AM
It's jingle bells today on the @qmuleecs.bsky.social @cs4fn.bsky.social Christmas Computing Advent Calendar. But they're warning bells, about scams (that can take advantage of the Christmas season).
Also take Google's phishing quiz and see how many examples you can spot cs4fn.blog/advent/
Also take Google's phishing quiz and see how many examples you can spot cs4fn.blog/advent/
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
Bet you can't guess what theme I chose for the CS4FN Christmas Computing Advent Calendar post which has a CHRISTMAS CRACKER on the window today (OK I bet you can) cs4fn.blog/advent/
#CyberSecurity and some magical code-cracking.
cc @cs4fn.bsky.social
#CyberSecurity and some magical code-cracking.
cc @cs4fn.bsky.social
CS4FN Christmas Computing Advent Calendar
Every day in December a new ‘door’ will open and a new blog post about computing that is currently hidden behind it will become unlocked. We originally ran our advent calendar in 2021 a…
cs4fn.blog
December 18, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Bet you can't guess what theme I chose for the CS4FN Christmas Computing Advent Calendar post which has a CHRISTMAS CRACKER on the window today (OK I bet you can) cs4fn.blog/advent/
#CyberSecurity and some magical code-cracking.
cc @cs4fn.bsky.social
#CyberSecurity and some magical code-cracking.
cc @cs4fn.bsky.social
Reposted by Computer Science for Fun (CS4FN)
"I wonder if my @cs4fn.bsky.social colleagues have previously written a computing themed article that include reindeer" I wondered while drafting the CS4FN Christmas Computing Advent Calendar, "that would be handy". Lucky me :-) Find out more by clicking Rudolph's nose cs4fn.blog/advent/ #networks
CS4FN Christmas Computing Advent Calendar
Every day in December a new ‘door’ will open and a new blog post about computing that is currently hidden behind it will become unlocked. We originally ran our advent calendar in 2021 a…
cs4fn.blog
December 17, 2025 at 9:31 AM
"I wonder if my @cs4fn.bsky.social colleagues have previously written a computing themed article that include reindeer" I wondered while drafting the CS4FN Christmas Computing Advent Calendar, "that would be handy". Lucky me :-) Find out more by clicking Rudolph's nose cs4fn.blog/advent/ #networks