A hands-on learning project at the 44^th Sharjah International Book Fair teaches children how to make a robot that can act and think like a human

Sharjah, November 6, 2025

Young children turned robotic engineers as they crafted their own pet robots at a workshop titled “Build Your Own Robot” on the opening day of the 44^th Sharjah International Book Fair at Expo Centre Sharjah.

The simple project using DIY kits was envisioned and supervised by Dubai-based Junkbot Robotics; since junkbots are easy-to-build robots that one can make using a simple circuit and some recyclable materials, it was not merely a training in engineering but a lesson in sustainability too. Participating children were provided cardboard material, crayons, colour pencils, scissors, glue and coloured ice-lolly sticks to decorate their pet robot. The cardboard was shaped into a box and each child drew a face and coloured the boxy pet. They were then given a microbit each to stick on the box and function as the brain of the robot in hand.

Sharjah, November 6, 2025

The inaugural day of the Sharjah International Book Fair 2025 was filled with the irresistible aromas of the Mediterranean as the ‘Cookery Corner’ played host to a culinary masterclass with world-renowned Greek Chef, Alexandros Sperxos. In an immersive live demonstration, Chef Sperxos narrated a story of heritage, sustainability, and cultural connection, introducing a captivated audience to the authentic and modern flavours of Greece.