Topic outline

  • General

    • PLTW Automation & Robotics 7 Forum

      Dodge Automation & Robotics Hour 3: https://classroom.google.com/u/0/c/NjI2ODIyNTY0OTZa

      Dodge Automation & Robotics Hour 4: https://classroom.google.com/u/0/c/NjI2ODkwODYwMjNa

      Course Description

      Students trace the history, development and impact of automation and robotics as they explore mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems.   Using the VEX Robotics platform, students apply what they know to design, build, and program solutions to real world problems.  Students will acquire knowledge and skills in problem solving, collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking.

      Key Course and Learning Expectations

      • Unit 1: What is Automation and Robotics?

        • Students learn how automation and robotics affect everyday life both positively and negatively including safety, comfort, choices and attitudes about technology’s development and use.

      • Unit 2: Mechanical Systems

        • Students will be introduced to several mechanisms that are used to change speed, torque, force, type of movement, and direction of movement.  

        • Students will apply these mechanisms to several mechanical builds

      • Unit 3: Automated Systems

        • Students will create programs that utilize sensors, motors, and building components.

        • Students will apply these programs to automate a mechanical build


      Essential Learning Goals

      1. Understand the impact of robotics engineering in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context.

      2. Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to design and build mechanisms.

      3. Design mechanical systems to solve real-world problems.

      4. Apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to design robotics systems that solve a problem.

      5. Use the design process, mechanisms, and VEX Robotics Programming System to solve real-world problems.


      Major Assessments and Success Criteria

      • Project Lead the Way utilizes an activity, project, problem-based (APB) instructional design which centers on hands-on, real-world activities, projects, and problems that help students understand how the knowledge and skills they develop in the classroom may be applied in everyday life.  The APB approach provides students with opportunities to receive feedback on their progress as they work collaboratively, identify problems, apply what they know, persevere through challenges, find unique solutions and lead their own learning.  

      • Each unit of study concludes with an End of Unit Project