TALK: In Conversation with a Robot & Artificial Intelligence - School Program - National Science Week

Ever high-fived a robot? Step into National Science Week at Canberra Museum and Gallery and meet Pepper—the chatty humanoid who can dance on cue and (occasionally) roast human inefficiency. Alongside Pepper, robotics researcher Dr. Maleen Jayasuriya from the University of Canberra's Collaborative Robotics Lab will take you on a fascinating dive into the world of robotics and artificial intelligence.

Join us to decode the mysteries behind how robots perceive their environment, make decisions, and carry out tasks—from industrial robot arms assembling cars to social robots like Pepper understanding human emotions.

Just as importantly, hear why human elements like psychology, art, creativity, and multidisciplinary design are crucial for truly bringing these machines to life. Discover what's coming next as robots leave factories and enter living rooms, classrooms, hospital wards, and our everyday lives.

Why come?

Experience interactive robot demos. Quiz Pepper live. Discover where robots already shape daily life. Learn the simple principles behind how machines sense, think and act.

Walk in curious, walk away knowing enough to teach a robot a brand-new trick.

We are offering two ways for schools to take part in this event:

IN PERSON: Free tickets are available for schools to attend in person at Canberra Museum and Gallery. Tickets include the talk, meeting Pepper the robot for a photo opportunity. This option will run at Canberra Museum and Gallery from 10:00am - 11:30am.

Please note: A limit of 5 tickets is available per school for staff and students (eg 1 staff and 4 students). Numbers are capped to allow multiple schools access.

ONLINE: Schools that register for the online option will be sent a live stream URL to enable classes to watch Dr. Jayasuriya and Pepper's talk from the classroom or your very own Science Week event at school. This option will run online from 10:00am - 11:00am.

Presented for National Science Week in collaboration with the Collaborative Robotics Lab, University of Canberra.