Maker: Smart lighting module for teaching high school science and engineering students about Programmable Logic Controllers
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American Society for Engineering Education, 2017. This paper describes the design, construction, and evaluation of an instructional module for 9th-12th grade science and engineering students on the use of a Programmable Logic Controller and Ladder Logic Programming to save energy in a "Smart Room." This module was created as a result of the author's attending a Summer Research Experiences for Teachers program. The instructional module includes lecture and activity components. The lecture component covers the history of PLCs, how they work, and how to use Ladder Logic Programming to control input and output components in a "Smart Room". The lecture also provides a brief introduction to Boolean Logic as it is used for Ladder Logic programming. The activity component includes hands-on examples of how to design and build energy saving devices into a room lighting system, including use of a PLC to manage the room's lighting. Three evaluations are built into the lesson: pre-assessment, post-assessment and student evaluation of the lesson as a whole. The module was piloted in four high school engineering classes. Students worked in teams to build and successfully test AOI Logic and then build and test input/output controls for a "Smart Room" lighting system controlled by a PLC. Test results from the pre- and post-tests indicated that a high level of learning was achieved. In addition, the students all enjoyed the hands on experience.
