The process of automation has changed how we do business in today’s world and it continues to reshape the skills and jobs that will be required in priority industry sectors, such as manufacturing, into the future.

In this two part program, students work in small groups to assemble, wire and program an M&M sorting machine. The class is structured to allow self-paced learning, and acknowledges that not everyone has the same prior experience with electronics and coding. With guidance from our staff and a booklet of achievable goals and hints, students are encouraged to step beyond just copying lines of code and challenge themselves.

In the afternoon students focus on larger scale systems, working in teams to automate production in a virtual factory. This session involves gamified learning using the program ‘Factorio’, applying collaboration and problem solving skills to negotiate a balance between several competing production demands to generate the most income for their factory.