Pupils learned that control technology is all around them in everyday devices such as a car park barrier or pelican crossing and that some of these devices rely on a single instruction, for example a barrier in a car park where money or a ticket will make it operate. Other devices carry out a sequence of instructions, for example a pelican crossing where a button activates the lights and then the walk signal.

To demonstrate how control technology works, pupils used CoCo simulation software to develop procedures for controlling traffic lights, CoCo the clown and a house. Pupils were then given the opportunity to test their procedure on one of the models to see how their instructions worked in a ‘real’ situation.

STEM Sussex is an organisation that aims to raise awareness of engineering and technology by promoting Scientists, Technologists, Engineers and Mathematicians.