Lesson Structure

In each section, the learning objectives are:

• Warm-up – Recognise the importance of automation in developing technologies that enable humans to work faster, safer and more efficiently.
• Imagine – Explain how cranes throughout history have utilised the mechanical advantage of levers in the modern world to build and construct. Explore the role of humans in operating cranes.
• Create – Create a 2D crane which uses levers with linkages for mechanical advantage.
• Build – Build a controlled system using levers to move the crane to lift and drop.
• Reflect – Reflect on the role that crane automation could play in improving industry, innovation and infrastructure, health and well-being.
• Challenges – Extend your learning through real-world design challenges.

After this lesson students will be able to:

• Recognise several ways that automation helps humans complete difficult or repetitive tasks.
• Design a mechanical structure using levers that are pushed and pulled by the mechanical linkages connected to the servo motor.
• Refine the crane’s design by creating tests such as objects to pick, exchanging different kinds of linkages, and straw sizes, repositioning the motor, or changing the code.
• Demonstrate the transfer of energy from place to place throughout the servo motor.
• Understand the innovation of an invention throughout history and realise the future of automation and how it contributes to improving human work conditions.