Community Sessions
Virtual community sessions for all.
All community working sessions are hosted by Danielle Boyer, an Indigenous (Anishinaabe – Enrolled Sault Tribe) robotics inventor, educator, and advocate whose work explores how emerging technologies can ethically support culture, language preservation, education, and community empowerment. Danielle is the founder of The STEAM Connection, a youth-led nonprofit established in 2019 that has provided more than one million young people worldwide with free, culturally grounded STEM and robotics education.
Best known for creating the SkoBots, wearable AI-powered language-learning robots designed to help revitalize the endangered Anishinaabemowin language, Danielle’s work sits at the intersection of ethical AI, robotics, Indigenous data sovereignty, design, storytelling, and social impact innovation. Her projects explore how technology can be built intentionally, collaboratively, and in service of people and communities.
These community sessions are designed for participants of all backgrounds and experience levels, with a focus on adults, creatives, educators, organizers, technologists, and lifelong learners interested in emerging technologies, invention, ethical AI, robotics, digital fabrication, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Rather than traditional classroom-style instruction, these sessions are structured as collaborative working environments where participants can learn, ask questions, brainstorm ideas, receive mentorship, and develop projects alongside others in community.
Danielle has spoken internationally at institutions including the White House, UNESCO Headquarters, and the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and has been recognized as a National Geographic Young Explorer, Echoing Green Fellow, and two-time MIT Solve Fellow. Her work has also been featured through award-winning storytelling recognized by the Webby Awards, Sundance Brand Storytelling Awards, Tribeca X Awards, and SXSW.
These sessions aim to make technology more approachable, human-centered, creative, and socially grounded while creating accessible spaces for conversation, experimentation, and collective learning around the future of emerging technologies.
July 19th, 2026 2 - 4 PM EST
Bring SkoBots to your Community: Working Session & QA
This collaborative working session is designed for educators, community leaders, cultural organizations, language programs, schools, and individuals interested in learning more about the SkoBots initiative and exploring whether the program may be a good fit for their community. Participants will learn how the SkoBots operate, how the wearable language-learning robots are developed and used, and the broader goals surrounding ethical technology, language revitalization, and community-centered AI.
The session will include an overview of how communities can potentially collaborate on future SkoBot initiatives, what the development and partnership process may look like, and important considerations for implementation, accessibility, and long-term sustainability. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss community needs, and explore possible next steps for collaboration.
Please note that participation in this session does not guarantee robots, partnerships, or future program placement. This is an informational and exploratory working session intended to help communities determine whether the SkoBots initiative aligns with their goals and interests.
Suggested donation: $35 USD. Donations directly support SkoBot research, development, scaling efforts, and the continued distribution of free robotics and language technology resources to Anishinaabe youth. Limited spots available.
June 22nd, 2026 5 - 7 PM EST
Building Ethical AI Solutions for your Community
This interactive community working session explores how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies can be developed ethically, intentionally, and in service of communities. Participants will learn about the fundamentals of ethical AI, community-centered technology design, Indigenous data sovereignty, and the social impacts of emerging technologies while exploring how AI tools can be applied to support cultural preservation, education, accessibility, language revitalization, environmental stewardship, and community wellbeing.
Through guided discussion, real-world examples, and collaborative brainstorming activities, participants will explore how to identify challenges within their own communities and begin imagining technology-based solutions rooted in local values, knowledge systems, and community priorities. The session will also include conversations around responsible innovation, data ownership, bias in AI systems, and how communities can actively shape the future of technology rather than simply consume it.
Designed for educators, artists, organizers, students, technologists, nonprofit leaders, and community members of all technical backgrounds, this session focuses on making conversations around AI approachable, grounded, and community-driven.
Suggested donation: $35 USD. Donations help support ongoing research, community technology development, and the continued distribution of free robotics and STEM education resources to Anishinaabe youth. Limited spots available.
August 2nd, 2026 5 - 6 PM EST
From Bytes to Bright Futures: Danielle & the Story of the SkoBot
In this interactive storytelling and discussion session, participants will hear the journey behind the creation of the SkoBots — wearable AI-powered language-learning robots designed to support the revitalization of the endangered Anishinaabemowin language. Danielle Boyer will share how growing up without access to many STEM opportunities inspired her to begin building technology rooted in culture, community care, and ethical innovation.
Participants will explore the invention process behind the SkoBots, including the challenges of designing robotics and AI systems for language preservation, the importance of Indigenous data sovereignty, and how emerging technologies can be developed in ways that strengthen rather than replace human connection and cultural knowledge. The session will also include open conversation and Q&A around invention, entrepreneurship, robotics, ethical AI, creativity, and building technology with purpose.
Designed for participants of all backgrounds and technical experience levels, this session focuses on inspiring future inventors, changemakers, educators, and community leaders to imagine how technology can be used to create more equitable and culturally grounded futures.
Suggested donation: $35 USD. Donations help support SkoBot research and development as well as the continued distribution of free robotics and STEM education resources to Anishinaabe youth. Limited spots available.