Course Information

2025-2026 Academic Year

CY61 PLTW Gateway: Automation and Robotics

Course Number	CY61
Course Title	PLTW Gateway: Automation and Robotics
Course Description	Students learn about the history and impact of automation and robotics as they explore mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Using the VEX Robotics platform, students apply what they know to design and program traffic lights, robotic arms, and more.
Course Lead Consultant	Natalie Hulbert natalie.hulbert@dpi.nc.gov
Course Status	Standard
Course Type	Adopted
POL (Proof of Learning)	Local
Credential as POL	N/A
Curriculum Date	PLTW
Hours of Instruction	45
Recommended Maximum Enrollment	25
Course Credit	0
Inherently Honors	No
Meets Computer Science (CS) Graduation Requirement	No
Math Option Credit	No
Prerequisites	None
Career Cluster(s)	Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Pathway Level(s)	PLTW Engineering (PLWE) - Middle Grades Exploration Technology Engineering and Design (TEND) - Middle Grades Exploration
Aligned Credential(s) or Certification(s)	N/A
CTSO(s) (Career and Technical Student Organization)	Technology Student Association (TSA)
SOC Code(s) (Standard Occupational Classification Code)

Proof of Learning (POL) Specifications

CTE State Assessment: The post-assessment will be a 100-item multiple choice test administered through the NC Instructional Management System.
Credential: Please work with the specified vendor(s) to coordinate and schedule.
Performance-based Measurement (PBM): Please follow the PBM guidelines set forth in the Performance-based Measurement Guide for the specified course.

Math Option Credit

Refer to the Math Options Charts on the DPI website for more detailed math options information.

Meets Computer Science (CS) Graduation Requirement

Yes: The course meets the Computer Science graduation requirement.
Yes*: The course can be offered in both middle and high school and meets the Computer Science graduation requirement.
No: The course does not meet the Computer Science graduation requirement.

Refer to the DPI website for more detailed Computer Science graduation requirement information.

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO)

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) are an integral part of this curriculum.
CTSOs incorporate strategies used to teach course content, develop leadership, citizenship, responsibility, and proficiencies related to workplace needs.

Work-based Learning (WBL)

Work-based Learning (WBL) is an integral part of all Career and Technical Education courses in North Carolina to show curricular relevance to industry skills.
Public School Units (PSUs) are encouraged to strategically choose work-based learning strategies in alignment with unique needs, considering factors such as local employment demands, available program offerings, resources, and other pertinent considerations. Contact your local CTE administrator for more information.

WBL Courses with Academic Credit:

CTE Advanced Studies
CTE Cooperative Education
CTE Entrepreneurial Experience
CTE Internship
CTE Pre-apprenticeship
CTE Apprenticeship

WBL Activities without Academic Credit:

Guest speaker
Career fair
Job fair
Transition fair
Field trip (workplace tour)
Job shadowing
Mentoring
Service learning
School-based enterprise
Simulated workplace
Workplace challenge/Industry-sponsored project