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 learn to program it to complete that task. They get time to experiment with their code to understand how it effects the machine’s motors and sensors, and see how changes they can make result in more efficient operation. 

In the afternoon students focus on larger scale systems, working in teams to automate production in a virtual chocolate 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.