The "Automation and Manufacturing" course is designed for learners in Grades 9-12. This immersive program allows students to explore fundamental concepts of automation and manufacturing through practical, hands-on activities. They will learn about controllers, programming languages, and how to use the Micro:bit in conjunction with a variety of sensors, motors, and conveyors. The ultimate goal is to empower students to design and program a fully autonomous manufacturing process, applying knowledge of wireless communication, conditional logic, and loops.

Course Features:

• 15 Lesson Hours: The course includes 15 comprehensive lessons that cover a wide range of topics in automation and manufacturing, from introduction to programming to building autonomous systems.

• Curriculum and Supporting Materials: Detailed curriculum and supporting materials are provided to aid the learning process, ensuring educators have all necessary resources.

• Ongoing Product and Curriculum Support: Continuous support is available to ensure the curriculum remains relevant and effective, adapting to new technologies and best practices.

• Professional Development: Training sessions are offered for educators to effectively deliver the course content and facilitate student learning, equipping them with the necessary expertise.

• Facilitation by a Trained STEM Instructor (Optional): The option to have a professional STEM instructor lead the course is available, providing expert guidance and instruction.

These features are explicitly listed under "Equipment, Curriculum, and Training Available" in the Automation and Manufacturing (9-12) document.

Learning Target Examples (Lessons): The course is structured around 15 distinct lessons, each building upon the previous one, as detailed in Automation and Manufacturing (9-12):

1. Introduction to Automation Controllers: Learn about controllers used to control automation processes.

2. Introduction to Automation Programming: Make connections between the code blocks and automation programming languages.

3. Micro:bit Driver Expansion Board: Learn to install extensions on the MakeCode coding platform.

4. Variables in Programming: Learn about and use variables in a program.

5. Conditionals in Programming: Learn about and use conditionals (If-Then, If Else-if Else), comparators, and Boolean logic.

6. Looping in Programming: Learn when it is appropriate/useful to use a loop in a program.

7. Wireless Communication: Use the radio code blocks to send data wirelessly to a second Micro:bit microcontroller.

8. Servos Part 1: Create a code to control the servo in conjunction with an ultrasonic sensor.

9. Servos Part 2: Create a code to control the servo using a collision switch sensor.

10. Extensions: SEN-Color: Use machine learning to program/calibrate a color sensor.

11. Color Sensor Servo Sort: Program the color sensor in conjunction to control a servo to sort blocks.

12. Auto-Hopper Servo Sort: Learn about automation of a sorting line and controlling multiple outputs.

13. Conveyor Motor Calibration: Actively calibrate the conveyor belt motor to understand speed, timing, and direction to be used in the automation processes.

14. Automatic Color Block Sorter: Build a device which will automatically detect and sort three different colored blocks into respective bins.

15. Automation with Radio Communication: Use radio communication between the two Micro:bits to create a more functional, autonomous sorting machine.

Equipment Included: The core equipment for this course includes a Micro:bit and a suite of sensors, motors, and conveyors. These components are essential for the hands-on activities and for building an autonomous manufacturing process.

Professional Development: The Automation and Manufacturing (9-12) document highlights the availability of comprehensive teacher training. This includes professional development sessions designed to equip educators with the skills and knowledge required to effectively teach the course content and facilitate student learning. Furthermore, ongoing support is provided to ensure continuous professional development opportunities and successful course delivery.

Additional Information:

• Designed for Learners in Grades 9-12: The course is specifically tailored to meet the developmental and educational needs of high school students, providing advanced technical skills in automation.

• Hands-On Activities: Emphasizes interactive and practical activities, allowing students to learn by doing and develop a deep understanding of programming and robotics concepts.

• Focus on Autonomous Automation: The primary goal is to empower students to program completely autonomous manufacturing systems, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving.

• Technology Integration: Integrates the use of Micro:bit, sensors, motors, and wireless communication, exposing students to relevant technologies in the automation and manufacturing industry.