With advances in AI, it is more important than ever that we consider how humans and computers will interact. How do you want the robots of the future to behave towards you and others? For this activity, students will make a “robot zine” where they will sketch an original robot design, identify how their robot will sense the world around it and write a code of conduct to describe how their robot will interact with humans.

This project is the culmination of a grant working to share with students the VCU/Richmond East Marshall Street Well Project. Over the last year, the following curriculum has been presented to students in Richmond and surrounding counties five times. Dr. Simmons and students in the Department of Forensic Sciences taught the lessons. Victoria Solana, Dr. Edmondson, and Dr. Simmons developed the lessons. They were refined by the Department of Forensic Science students and Ms. Solano after being taught in each of the classrooms. The feedback that we have received from the students has been reflective of the need for lessons that showcase local and historical issues that have arisen in our own backyard.