Shaping the global classroom

Fifteen SIS students from grades 6, 7, 8, and 10 are taking part in an international research project led by University College London and funded by Honda Research Institute. The project explores how people from different cultures understand social robots, and how robot design can shape perception, communication, and learning. The long-term goal is to develop culturally aware educational robots with a stronger sense of global citizenship.

SIS involvement in the project is being led by SIS Learning Support Teacher, Evi Markou. She was invited to participate in the study by her former PhD colleague from UCL, Dr. Tiija Rinta.. ‘Tiija Rinta, a friend of mine and a researcher at UCL, was looking for students in Europe to participate in the project. I felt it would be immensely interesting and have a lot of value for our students, so I looked into it more deeply. On close examination, SIS proved to be an ideal partner, through our culture of global citizenship and our use of technology in the learning environment.’

SIS students were paired with a school in rural eastern Uganda, creating a powerful contrast between two very different educational and social environments. Through online exchanges and UCL-designed activities, students explored themes of culture, technology, inequality, and global citizenship. The experience also highlighted real-world challenges affecting access to education, from unstable internet access to climate-related flooding and infrastructure disruption in Uganda.

Researchers are using insights from these interactions to inform the development of a social robot named Haru, a next-generation educational robot being developed by Honda. Meanwhile, SIS students have become deeply invested in the collaboration — conducting research in geography and technology, building global awareness, and even launching fundraising efforts to support their partner school.

The project will soon move beyond the digital world. On June 2, students will take part in a traditional African dance workshop at Urkraft Dansskola, accompanied by live drummers. Sponsored by the SIS Spirit Fund, the experience will bring a new level of cultural immersion to a project already grounded in global connection and high-level research.

Reflecting on the project, Evi remarked, ‘I’m so pleased for our students that we were able to give them this learning experience, and grateful to the SIS Spirit Fund that we can supplement their learning by bringing Ugandan culture directly into their lives.’