Bringing Excellence to Science Education
The Conference specifically for Laboratory Technicians

Payment via credit card or invoice can be made online.

LTAV members only: Use the code EARLYBIRD2026 to gain a $50 discount. Expires Aug 14th 2026.

Alternatively, please print the ‘Registration form and tax invoice’ page from the LABCON2026 brochure. Fill out the form, then scan and email the completed form to Marg Scarlett at info@margscarlett.com

Program Outline

Thursday 3 December
Keynote Speaker
Annual General Meeting
Concurrent Workshops
Exhibition
Conference Dinner

Friday 4 December
Keynote Speaker
Concurrent Workshops
Exhibition

Non Member

$675.00
$605.00
$625.00
$555.00
$150.00

Accommodation

Quest Apartment Hotels Narre Warren. 2 Verdun Drive, Narre Warren VIC, 3805. Tel: 03 9796 6944.
Book direct and use the code LABCON2026 to receive 10% discount (bookings are not available through the LABCON2026 registration form).
RATES PER NIGHT:
One Bedroom Apartment: $249.
Two Bedroom Apartment: $399.
Three Bedroom Apartment: $499.
Alternative accommodation may be found via one of the many online websites.

LABCON2026 Keynote Speakers

Keynote Address: A Brief History of AI and What It Tells Us About The Future of Lab Based Learning?

First, we review some of the history of AI, so as to try to understand the future and indeed importance of lab based learning. The latter’s essential nature in human learning is supported by such old proverbs as “Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand”, which can be traced back to Confusius in 300BC. Equally, and perhaps contrary to what the popular press tells us about the emergence of AI, AI has a very long history, almost 5,000 years in fact.

AI was named in 1955, but certainly not invented in 1955! At its core, AI must grapple with the key questions of intelligence and free-moral-agency, which have been a topic of study since the dawn of humanity. The technology, we call AI today, has roots in mechanics, biology and mathematics, dating back at least a 1,000 years. This technology has taken off because of modern electronics, in particular computing, data handling, and communication. With this type of inertia driving AI forward, the (r)evolution we are experiencing is going to last and we may expect it will transform most jobs for ever. Most, because, like all technologies, AI has fundamental limits, which we are starting to understand, so it cannot do everything we would like it, or imagine it to do. New jobs will be created.

We also perceive that the value proposition of human work is shifting, and intuition, judgement, emotional IQ, and critical thinking are more relevant than ever. AI does not challenge lab based learning, which will continue to provide one the richest and most permanent forms of human learning that our education system offers. I will argue that its place in the formation of observational skills, and critical thinking is becoming even more important than ever. Nevertheless, our lab based learning won’t be immune from AI’s infl uence, and the technology will support our lab experience. However, the fundamental role of lab-based instruction in education, for as long as we want to educate humans, is secure.

Keynote Address: Inescapable Learning through Escape Rooms

Educational Escape Rooms offer a unique opportunity to engage and motivate students to learn (and help them want to learn) by immersing coursework within fun game-based learning narratives. Robert will provide escape room examples and will equip you with key skills to develop and deploy storylines, puzzles and hardware to unlock learning in your classroom.

ALL ENQUIRIES

Marg Scarlett
LABCON CONFERENCE MANAGER

info@margscarlett.com