Make Your Own Robot at Old St Paul's

What does a robot look like to you? Humanoid like your grandmother, Meryl? Or more industrial like your dad’s vacuum cleaner?

At Old St Paul’s in April, we’re putting on an art class for human children like you, and over two hours you can create your very own robot!

Robots have been around for a long time, since the 1940s in fact, when American-born British robotics pioneer William Grey Walter built two robots called Elmer and Elsie out of old war materials and alarm clocks. They looked a bit like tortoises, and they moved by themselves in response to light.

Closer to home, in Aotearoa New Zealand, Eric Cummins from Rangiora has been making real working robots out of his garage since 1975. Some of the robots Eric designed now live in the Christchurch Museum of Toys & Collectibles.

In this art class you can manufacture a robot of your own design. We’ll provide all the materials, like boxes, aluminium foil, bottle caps, tubing, glue and so on, but you’ll need to bring along a real adult.

About Old St Paul’s

You’ll be creating robots for the future while appreciating the past in one of Te Whanganui-a-Tara’s most famously beautiful buildings – constructed by humans 160 years ago and now cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga.

For ages 6-12.

All materials will be provided.

Please note, children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (free entry for adult assistants).

Spaces are limited.