Region 5 Section Learning Exchange - AI Ethics, Robotics & Mentorship
This preliminary program is being published as an early save-the-date. Speaker, presentation, and agenda information will be updated as participants are confirmed.
This IEEE Region 5 Learning Exchange will explore how mentorship, robotics, artificial intelligence, and engineering ethics can be connected to prepare students and professionals for responsible innovation. The event is being held during the inaugural IEEE Ethics Week, September 12–20, 2026.
John Purvis will open with lessons from his elementary-school outreach and group-mentoring activities. Following his presentation, participants will discuss how engineers can build trust, encourage curiosity, and help young learners develop responsible technology habits.
The exchange will also examine educational robotics and ethical questions associated with AI-enabled and autonomous systems. Potential discussion topics include human oversight, safety, accountability, privacy, bias, electric-vehicle decision-making, battery lifecycle responsibilities, and equitable access to emerging technologies.
University perspectives, including examples from the University of Central Arkansas AI, Robotics & Ethics Camp, are being coordinated. Event information will be updated as additional participants are confirmed.
The tentative format includes presentations of approximately 15-20 minutes each, followed by a moderated panel discussion and audience questions.
IEEE members, educators, students, parents, STEM volunteers, and professionals working in robotics, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and related fields are encouraged to attend.
Date and Time
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- Starts 26 August 2026 06:00 AM UTC
- Ends 18 September 2026 06:00 AM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
John Purvis
From Curiosity to Responsibility: Mentoring Young Learners in an AI-Enabled World
Drawing on his elementary-school outreach and group-mentoring experience, John Purvis will share practical lessons for engaging young learners through trusted relationships with engineers and other technical professionals. He will discuss how mentors can encourage curiosity, build confidence, and introduce responsible technology habits—including questioning results, verifying information, protecting personal data, considering who may be helped or harmed, and recognizing when human judgment is required. His presentation will show how age-appropriate mentorship can establish an ethical foundation before students become tomorrow’s engineers, technologists, and decision-makers.
Biography:
John Purvis is the IEEE Region 5 Life Member Coordinator and Central Texas Section K–12 Committee Chair. He also serves on the IEEE Life Member Committee and as board secretary for Central Texas Discover Engineering. Drawing on extensive experience in systems administration, team leadership, and technical education, John supports elementary-school STEM outreach and group mentoring that connect experienced IEEE members with students and emerging professionals.
IEEE Life Senior Member John Purvis is our current Region 5 Life Member Coordinator. He has been involved with the IEEE for 56 years, starting as an officer of the student branch at the University of Houston.
During his career, he worked with companies such as Automated Systems (Houston), TRW (Washington, DC), Texas Instruments computer division (Dallas), and National Instruments (Austin). John taught for 20 years in the computer science department of St. Edward’s University and then worked for IBM doing IT work.
In the 1990s, Les Johnson, Central Texas Section Chair, recognized John’s potential and encouraged him to get involved in the local Section. His contributions were significant, serving as secretary, vice-chair, and chair of the Section, along with becoming Computer Society Chapter and LMAG Chair. He also served as K-12 Outreach chair for CTS and, at the Region 5 level, was History Chair and now Life Member Coordinator. John’s involvement in the Central Texas Discover Engineering board, a STEM organization in Austin, further demonstrates his commitment to the community.
Will Slayton of University of Central Arkansas
An AI, Robotics, and Ethics Camp for High School Students
This presentation will summarize the activities of the third annual AI, Robotics & Ethics Summer Camp hosted at the University of Central Arkansas. The camp is one week long, residential, and fast paced with enriched technical and ethical dimensions of the curriculum. High school participants work in interdisciplinary teams to assemble and program an educational self-driving car, while engaging deeply with moral theories and real‐world ethical dilemmas in AI and robotics. A link to American Society of Engineering Education papers about the camp which discuss activities and assessment in more detail will be provided.
Biography:
I obtained my PhD in Physics from the University of Mississippi in the field of physical acoustics in 2001. After a two year post doc I returned to academia and have been at the University of Central Arkansas since 2004 where I teach physics and engineering classes. In 2026 I was promoted to assistant dean of research and innovation.
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Lucy Talley
Guest for the Panel Discussion and Addressing Audience Questions
Lucy Talley looks forward in discussing how AI systems can be designed to clarify user needs, route questions to appropriate subject-matter experts, and maintain meaningful accountability. I can also share perspectives from creating AI-assisted educational and science-fiction content.
Biography:
Lucy Talley is a computer engineering student and enterprise technology professional with experience in systems administration, networking, cloud administration, and technical support. She is also a writer and digital-content creator who uses AI-assisted tools to explore science, technology, storytelling, and STEM engagement. Her interests include responsible AI, practical human-centered technology, and making technical topics accessible to learners and communities.
Agenda
Tentative Agenda
6:00–6:05 p.m. — Welcome, introductions, and IEEE Ethics Week context
6:05–6:20 p.m. — John Purvis from Central Texas Section: Elementary-school outreach and group mentoring
6:20–6:40 p.m. — Dr Will Slaton from Arkansas Section, on AI, robotics, and ethics
6:40–7:05 p.m. — Moderated panel discussion with Lucy Talley (guest panelist from Denver Section) and audience questions
7:05–7:15 p.m. — Key takeaways, resources, and closing