Hi All!
We recently released our second VEX CTE Course, [Workcell Automation]
(VEX CTE STEM Labs - Workcell Automation).
This course builds onto the foundational learning presented in the Intro to the Six Axis Arm Course. In the first five units, students add sensors, conveyors and pneumatics to their CTE Workcells, and learn to code with these new additions.
Beginning with Unit 6, students are presented with a series of cumulative, scaffolded open-ended challenges to solve using their Workcells. These challenges are rooted in a real world manufacturing scenario, as their teams work to quickly and accurately fulfill shipping manifests. In Unit 6, students are tasked with ensuring two types of products reach their destinations at two loading docks. They are given the order in which to load the projects into the Disk Feeder.
By Unit 8, students must sort two types of objects to three different loading docks, in a random order.
Once they have completed those challenges, they are ready for the Course Capstone Challenge, in which they must deliver three types of objects to three different loading docks in a random order.
Throughout the open-ended challenge Units, students are guided through a three-phase process for solving open-ended challenges - Planning, Pseudocoding, and Building & Testing. After each phase, students check in with their teachers, providing a structured opportunity for teacher feedback before students move on.
Each open-ended challenge unit requires students to collaborate and communicate effectively with teammates, and encourages creative problem solving and divergent thinking as there are a multitude of ways to achieve results.
And, for students needing even more, we’ve provided an extension unit, The Double Dock Challenge, in which two teams collaborate to fulfill shipping manifests using two connected Workcell systems!
If you have any questions about this Course, feel free to ask them here in the Community, or sign up for a 1-on-1 session. We’d love to talk to you about it!
