Supporting Young People with Positive Discussions and AI

Join scientist and edu-tainer Dr. Matt Agnew for an insightful teacher professional development session exploring his new books, The Kids' Guide to Speaking Your Mind Without Losing Your Cool and Is My Phone Reading My Mind?

During the session, we will explore how to support young people to have respectful conversations and develop critical thinking skills; understand the importance of different perspectives, the influence of bias, and the impacts of AI; as well as learning how to promote wellbeing.

The Kids' Guide to Speaking Your Mind Without Losing Your Cool

Help sharpen up your students' thinking and debating skills with this fun and engaging book from one of Australia's most popular scientists that includes activities to encourage cool, calm, and rational thinking.

Dr. Matt explains how to avoid confirmation bias and 'us vs them' thinking and how to stay calm and show respect to others in the heat of an argument, along with tips on how to debate like a pro! Included are some thought experiments to do at home or in the classroom that will help kids speak their mind without losing their cool, such as:

• How do we end up with different ideas and opinions?
• How can we talk about these ideas and opinions to each other even when we argue?
• When I read, see, or hear something, how do I know if it's true or false?
• What if I'm right and my friend's wrong? How do we stay friends?
• Is it okay to change my mind?

Is My Phone Reading My Mind?

Let Dr. Matt explain everything you and your students need to know about Artificial Intelligence and why you don't need to be afraid!

When you think of AI, you might imagine a walking, talking robot... or you might think of a giant computer that wants to take over the world! But the reality is that AI is a brilliant human invention found in nearly every modern device from our computers to our cars.

AI can seem scary so working out where we use AI and why is an important part of making the best of this exciting technology. So what is an algorithm and can it help you choose pizza? Can ChatGPT do your homework? And when you watch TV, is it watching you back?

All these questions and more are answered in a fun, funny, and engaging way by Dr. Matt, who believes in making STEM accessible for everyone.

About Dr. Matt Agnew

Dr. Matt Agnew is more than a scientist, he's an edu-tainer that helps to make science, maths, and technology fun and accessible for everyone.

With academic credentials spanning the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) portfolio, a myriad of appearances across a variety of media channels, and a social media profile for reaching and wide and varied culture, Matt is a qualified, passionate, and engaging scientist and edu-tainer.

To find out more, visit Matt's website.