Automation around us through innovative Interdisciplinary Approaches

Technology includes as an educational approach the collection of data and the engagement in processes of design, development, production of constructions/artifacts, through exploratory and collaborative learning. For this purpose, activities were created that focus not only on fundamental concepts of a single cognitive area, but also vertical ideas and common concepts of practices that Engineers and Scientists in general adopt.

The Skills of the 21st century require students to engage in real problems related to the environment and the economy of society, to develop the concept of informed active citizenship, combining algorithmic thinking and science, without restrictions and limits.

The program “Technology: Automation around us through innovative interdisciplinary approaches” is an interactive educational experience for Junior High School children, designed to introduce them to the world of Technology achievements that lead to Robotics, cultivating skills as a result of knowledge, skills and values.

Objectives of the Program

To create an interesting and fun experience for children, promoting their analytical and synthetic combinatorial thinking, critical ability while raising awareness in the perspective of a future where technology plays a key role in facilitating our work, safety, well-being and progress.

Workshops and constructions

Children participate in simple or more complex experiments and constructions, which allow them to discover how they can use old or newer automations designed and implemented. They become equal members in workshops for the study and development of useful artifacts for the wider ecumenical community, without boundaries and in the light of inclusion.

Discussion and participation

Children have the opportunity to discuss and share opinions, know-how and skills. They are encouraged to think about ways in which they can help improve repetitive tasks so that the time spent gives their space to creative thinking and new experimentation.

Expected Learning Outcomes

After the completion of the activities, students will be able to:

• Recognize codes of communication between humans and machines.
• Describe visual phenomena and functions.
• Identify elements of responsible research, data collection, and relationships between cause and effect.
• Solve problems related to analog and digital systems, through practical and dimensional computational thinking.
• Apply didactic problem-solving strategies.
• Develop designs and constructions of digital systems and artifacts that solve problems of their daily lives.
• Utilize scientific concepts related to as many scientific fields as possible from mathematics, engineering, arts, physics, etc.
• Describe principles and operation of systems and automations that we encounter in our daily lives.
• Identify and name units of measurement, building blocks, programming structures and processes, concepts and functions of structures.
• Design and implement parts and/or sets of prototype mechanisms and automation.

Program Modules:

The program includes nine (9) well-designed 45-minute cross-curricular activities that keep children engaged and help them not only understand how automation helps improve our quality of life, but also design new ones, creating innovative collaborative approaches useful for all of us.

Specifically:

1. Design and construction of a mechanical vehicle that follows any design line, subject to conditions.
2. Design and construction of a prototype elevator of a three-storey apartment building.
3. Construction of a prototype industrial arm for lifting and depositing objects.
4. Design and implementation of a vest to assist the movement of visually impaired people
5. Design and construction of a mechanism for filling tanks with liquids.
6. Study, design and implementation of vehicle parking automation.
7. Construction and integration of a prototype obstacle detection and speed regulation mechanism in heavy vehicles.
8. Study of the operation of instruments for measuring climatic conditions.
9. Design and construction of a greenhouse model and mapping of its functions.