"Robots are for everyone," is the message of Boston-based nonprofit MassRobotics.

Their upcoming free special event, RoboBoston 2024, and their year-round activities, continue to illustrate that message.

Not only do the innovators they empower come up with previously-unimagined applications like bionic bees--but their educational programs empower students who may not have seen how robotics relate to their futures.

As the largest independent robotics hub, MassRobotics is dedicated to accelerating robotics innovation and adoption. Accordingly, they provide resources, globally, for STEM education, while offering entrepreneurs and startups workspace and resources in the local area.

They also offer a yearly educational program, the Jumpstart Fellowship, for high school girls in the local area--which is both highly successful and currently accepting applicants for their fifth cohort! (Deadline: November 12, 2024.)

AND--their annual free celebration of robotics, RoboBoston, is happening on September 27th and 28th!

RoboBoston starts off on Friday, September 27th, with "STEM Day, a popular field trip, in which twelve local high schools are participating, followed by a "Robotics and AI" technical career fair, that afternoon.

Then, on Saturday, September 28th, everyone's invited to their robot parade and their seventh annual "Robot Block Party"! (Reservations are required; here's the link for tickets!)

Expect to see some of the coolest robots around--and to discover some robotic creations which you may never have imagined.

"The point of the Robotics Block Party, is for people to (come out and explore if robotics is for them)," says MassRobotics STEM Program Manager Kevin Smith.

"And students don't have to be (computer scientists or engineers to belong in robotics)," clarifies MassRobotics Co-Founder and Chief of Operations Joyce Sidopoulos.

Joyce and Kevin offered a sneak peek at some of the robots the Robot Block Party will showcase, talked about their experiences as educators at this year's Jumpstart program and previewed what's next!

How might AI enhance your creative process? Rather than "replacing" you at work, how might it become your "partner" --today and in the future?

Workplace futurist, bestselling author and speaker Marti Konstant knows numerous ways.

Marti, whose background includes her work as an artist, designer and marketer, is the author of the book "Activate Your Agile Career: How Responding to Change Will Inspire Your Life's Work". With her keynotes and workshops, she trains companies and individuals to increase their relevance, rather than stagnate, in a changing workplace.

And one of her tools, in teaching "career agility", is the use of artificial intelligence.

For creatives, such as designers, Marti says, AI can be a "thought partner", sparking new ideas. Then, artists, educators, authors and other creative professionals can use their talents to bring their new, AI-enhanced concepts to life.

Marti has coined the term "AI-gility" to describe the ability to put artificial intelligence to work to enhance, rather than replace, creative skills. Her work focuses on being "the human at the center of the loop" while using AI as an implement.

Marti talked about her background, explained some of the ways artificial intelligence can bolster the creative process for artists and educators, and offered a look at some of her favorite resources.

Can virtual reality change the future--for the better?

Africa VR Campus and Center Founder/CEO Paul Simon Waiyaki might answer that question with an adamant "yes".

Since 2016, Waiyaki, who is the first African in the metaverse, has been introducing members of African communities to virtual reality.

At the same time, he's introducing the rest of the world to Africa.

Waiyaki, a community leader based in Nairobi, Kenya, offers the local youth free classes, taught in virtual reality.

Working in tandem with Africa VR Campus and Center Associate Director Diana Njeri, and Associate Director Dr. Tom Nickel, he does outreach to schools, and has established Africa VR Network: a series of programs reaching participants all over Africa, to extend their work and future opportunities through XR.

One of these programs in particular, XR Girls Africa, has resulted in some exciting accomplishments for the young women participating. In 2023, XR Girls Africa won the "Social Impact" Award in the Girls STEAM Competition, hosted in the metaverse! In addition, they now host their own metaverse events, and have recently launched their weekly podcast, on Banter.

Meanwhile, there's also an opportunity for metaverse visitors, to get to know Africa.

Every Thursday at noon, Pacific time, Waiyaki hosts a one-hour session, "Tales from Africa", on the Engage platform, in which he offers an authentic look at the circumstances of daily life in Africa, and the cultures of his country.

Waiyaki explains that, in Africa, resources can be limited. Some residents lack electricity, internet access can be spotty among those who do have a connection, and some secondary students still must pay tuition fees to attend classes. And once they arrive, the facilities may also be limited.

"Some of the schools don't even have roofs!" Waiyaki says.

Girls and women, especially, can have very difficult lives. In a recent "Tales from Africa" session, Waiyaki explained that in some areas of Africa, men are legally allowed to beat their wives--and girls as young as six years old can be "married off".'

Waiyaki and his team are working to change that future.

Out of their own pockets, the staff at Africa VR Campus and Center not only teach their young students in the metaverse--they also give them a small stipend which allows them to help feed their families.

And much more is coming.

While we won't say what these are (yet), there are at least two exciting projects on the horizon, for Africa VR Campus and Center, which will make a huge difference, in 2025 and beyond.

Meanwhile, here is Waiyaki, in a February, 2024 interview, with the story of his own introduction into the metaverse, the creation of Africa VR Campus and Center, and his goals for the future.