Let’s brainstorm!

What are some automatic systems that you encounter in your everyday life? How do you know they are automatic?

Press ‘Definition’ to access the meaning of the word automatic.

Definition

What do you think the word efficiency means? How is it related to automatic systems?

Record your ideas on paper, digitally, or as an audio recording.

Automating systems

Consider someone’s morning. Perhaps they are woken up by an alarm clock on their phone. As they get out of bed, they hear a smart speaker that begins automatically, and they feel the furnace kick on to provide heat on this chilly morning. These are only a few examples of the ways automation has become a huge part of our lives.

Can you think of any other examples of automation that you experience throughout the rest of the day? Record your ideas in a method of your choice.

What is automation?

Automation is the technique of having a machine or a system perform tasks that were once performed by humans, but can now be done automatically by that machine or system. Many modern forms of automation involve computers, such as automated cars, drones, and robots. One of the first robots used in a business in North America was designed for a candy factory in Kitchener, Ontario in the early 1960s.

Now, Canadian manufacturers are replacing human labour with automation more often. Why? This shift is driven by a need for greater precision, higher speeds, and lower costs.

Think about it!

How are science and technology working with the following areas of study to create innovative automation technology? Choose one or more of these areas in your response and use the information shared in this learning activity to help you.

• mathematics
• health and medicine
• engineering
• another area of study

Record your answer in a method of your choice.

Positives and negatives of automation

So, how is automation impacting our everyday lives? There are positives and negatives for automation, specifically on society, economics, and the environment.

Explore some of these impacts, and record any positive or negative impacts in the graphic organizer provided, or in another method of your choice.

Before beginning your exploration, explore this video that outlines the scientific research process.

Check out this video to learn about the steps of the Scientific Research Process.

For this activity, you will be focusing on the following parts of the process: research, record, and analyze

You will now record any positive or negative impacts of automation in the graphic organizer provided, or in another method of your choice. Access the following fillable and printable organizer Positive and Negative Impacts of Automation to use a graphic organizer.

Society

A society is a group of people living together in a community. By automating many processes to produce goods and services, production rates have increased, and materials are being used more efficiently.

Having automated machines speeds up the production time of products and allows for less human error. Automated systems often remove workers from the workplace, which protects them against the hazards of a factory, but also puts some people out of a job. However, it is anticipated that more jobs connected to robotics and artificial intelligence will be created over the next few years to help design, build, test, and maintain automated systems.

Lastly, automation doesn’t only happen in factories, it can happen in people’s homes too! It helps to wash clothes, clean carpets, and search for information around the globe.

What are some advantages and disadvantages of automation for society?

Record your ideas in the organizer or in a method of your choice.

Economics

Economics refers to the way people spend and earn money. Automation has increased productivity and improved the economics in many areas. It allows businesses to become more competitive in their markets, because the rate of production is higher, human error is decreased, and the quality of the product is more consistent. The cost per unit goes down because it requires fewer resources to produce the product.

However, automation impacts small or local business, who handcraft their items and sell them for a higher price. It would make it hard for them to remain competitive. Automated machines can run constantly, quickly, and unattended. However, automated machines can be one of the largest operating costs for a company, given the price of building and maintaining the automated systems. There can also be some unpredictable costs that come with automation, including research and development, machine maintenance and repair, and training employees to operate these machines.

Record the advantages and disadvantages of automation to economics in your organizer or in a method of your choice.

The environment

Automation has environmental benefits. For example, modern heating and cooling systems reduce the amount of energy being used for heating and cooling when people are asleep or away from their place of residence, or out of the building.

Robots are now being used in mining, which can result in less waste. However, without proper planning, if automation is not using proper energy sources, it can actually cause an increase of greenhouse gas emissions. It can increase the amount of pollution, as different types of machines require gases or chemicals to operate. The good news is that advancements in technology are allowing for more innovative automation processes that will use renewable energy to operate, which will reduce gas emissions.

Add the environmental advantages and disadvantages of automation in your organizer or in a method of your choice.

When you have finished, compare your completed graphic organizer with the answer key. Access the following document, Positive and Negative Impacts of Automation Answers, to see some suggested answers.

Connecting to the future

This learning activity connects new and existing approaches for young scientists to create positive changes in their communities.

The future of automating systems

Now that you know some of the positive and negative impacts of automating systems, let’s explore what these systems might be like in the future and how this will impact multiple stakeholders.

Press ‘Definition’ to access the meaning of the word stakeholder.

Definition

Your task

A community meeting has been planned with a variety of stakeholders. You have been tasked with gathering information about the additional automation systems in the community’s workplace and the impact on the environment, the community, and the economy.

Prepare and present your position to the community that outlines your position on the future of automation in the workplace. Using the following outline, record your ideas in a method of your choice.

Access the following document, Planning and Presenting at a Meeting, to learn more about preparing for a presentation.

Consider the perspective of other community members in the room. Use the advantages and disadvantages to support your considerations.

• The business owners in the community?
• The community members who work in the local businesses?
• A local environmental group that is concerned about environmental issues in the community?
• The mayor of the municipality where the community is located?

Let’s reflect!

Reflection

As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.

Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.

When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.