Control Technology

Year 5 students have started their control technology module.

The aim is to get pupils to consider and create a series of processes that will effect the desired Outputs.  The children start by considering things which are controlled electronically which involve a number of things 'happening' (Outputs).  The classic example is the traffic light.

It is surprising how many people are not fully aware of the actual colour sequence involved and after much discussion about different types of traffic light sequences it was agreed that the basic lights change from:

red, to red & amber, then green.  From green to amber, then on to red.

Pupils in year five have been creating flowcharts to operate a set of basic traffic lights.  The Flow diagram created using Flowol Software must include all three outputs as well as a number of processes, such as delaying the sequence to keep the red lights on longer than other events in the sequence.  The flow chart is created using photogaphic mimics to simulate the child's work, helping them make any necessary adjustments.  The final test is to connect their sequence to the replica traffic lights (no expense spared) via a control box.

Click the link below to view some of the children's attempts.

Traffic light sequence