Career Institute North (CIN), one of three Dallas ISD career institutes, is no ordinary high school. It’s an educational ecosystem where students delve into a number of practicum courses and graduate with up to four certifications in highly employable fields.
Robotics at CIN
Dallas ISD students are actively shaping their future within the institute’s Manufacturing cluster where they learn the principles of mechatronics, manufacturing, and industrial robotics. Mechatronics is a blending of electrical and mechanical engineering as well as design. It’s a study of “intelligent” systems to achieve an improvement in product quality and performance. CIN’s inquiry-grounded, project-based learning courses allow students to act as engineers who design, analyze, and build systems that automate industrial processes. The state-of-the-art facility includes a 3D printer and several automatic robots or, “cobots,” which are highly responsive, human-driven machines that resemble those used in a manufacturing factory. Students operate the robotic arms using a tablet to move 3D cubes from point A to point B.
“These are collaborative robots, different from the large industrial robots.They’re able to collaborate with humans; that’s why these are gaining so much popularity. It was time consuming before, and more dangerous. Cobots have sensors built in so you have to be within the safe zone to operate your robot,” said mechanics instructor Aaron Calvert.
Students are also provided a German language course, making them marketable from a global standpoint to highly regarded companies such as Amazon, Tesla, General Motors, Lockheed Martin, and more.
At CIN, students spend half a day every other day immersed in a unique, innovative approach to education that sets them apart in the competitive job market. Classes are led by industry leaders with years of experience, and students learn through labs, internships, or independent study. CIN serves five Dallas ISD campuses: Conrad, Hillcrest, North Dallas, Thomas Jefferson, and W.T. White high schools.
Interested in learning about CIN and other career institutes in Dallas ISD? Visit dallasisd.org/careerinstitutes or contact careerinstitutes@dallasisd.org.
