Before goods are shipped in trucks or containers, they are usually placed in protective packaging and arranged on pallets for efficient transport. Stacking goods on a pallet is a repetitive job that can cause injury to workers. Because of this, many factories that require a high volume of palletization have turned to using robots to perform palletizing tasks. In this lesson plan, students learn how to program a robot to be efficient and effective at this real-world task.

As we prepare students to be innovators in the world, they will need to know how to communicate design ideas effectively. Even in the age of digital design, 2D drawings are still useful in communicating design ideas and details. Knowing how to create a 3D object from a 2D drawing (3D visualization) is a critical skill. Most individuals recognize its usefulness when following illustrated assembly instructions for furniture and other structures. Engineers, architects, tradesmen, and others use 2D technical drawings to communicate how different parts of an object look and how they go together.  Doctors use flat x-ray images to determine the severity and direction of bone breaks. Clothing designers, landscapers, and even game developers use 2D drawings when communicating designs in their work environments.In this lesson, students will explore technical drawing terminology and build 3D structures by interpreting 2D diagrams.

Sensors are part of most modern day technologies. They are integrated into our vehicles, appliances, buildings, and phones. Touch sensors trigger doors to open, motion sensors detect moving vehicles or pedestrians, and heat sensors supply an extra level of safety to our stoves. Sensors are integral to how we interact with technology and are becoming more common in the systems around us.In this lesson, students will explore some of the sensors used in transportation. They will make their own touch sensor and program a sign to display a message or warning when their sensor is triggered.