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 begin the day working in pairs to assemble a simple machine designed to automate a task. Then with scaffolding, students try programming the motors, LED and sensors at their own pace to get as many parts of the machine to work as they can. The emphasis is on setting an appropriate personal challenge that each student can stretch to, to try and achieve through self paced learning. 

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.