Phyllis Newbill

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About

Phyllis Newbill is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of robotics, arts, and STEM education, best known for developing innovative child-robot theater programs that make complex topics accessible and engaging. Her work centers on using social robots as educational partners, particularly in afterschool settings, to promote STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning. In her most cited study (2023, 17 citations), she introduced a 12-week child-robot musical theater program that demonstrated how collaborative robot interactions can enhance creativity, teamwork, and technical understanding among young learners. Newbill also broke new ground in climate change education with her "Robot Musical Theater for Climate Change" project (2022, 4 citations), which used robotic performances to teach children about environmental stewardship. Her approach uniquely combines human-robot interaction, performing arts, and pedagogical design, offering practical guidelines for educators seeking to integrate robotics into curricula. By proving that robots can be more than tools—they can be co-creators in learning—Newbill has established herself as a leader in experiential STEAM education, inspiring a new generation to see technology as a medium for storytelling and social change.