Automation and Robotics MHS

Morgan High School is home to a hidden gem that very few know about: an Automation and Robotics Program. Known as Robotics for short, this class is a program offered by Davis Technical College at Morgan and many other schools in the state. It is a certification program where students take classes to prepare to enter the workforce in Automation and Robotics Maintenance and Repair. Classes are held four days a week and students can register for both before and after school hours. 

“The nice thing about this course is that it is self-paced and students can move through each class as quickly as they have the motivation to do so,” said Jacob Johnson, one of the advising instructors of the course and science teacher at MHS. Classes include subjects on building circuits, pneumatics, hydraulics, basic motion programming, maintenance and repair, microcontrollers and drone operation. 

In addition to Johnson, Jennifer Hobson also oversees the class. Both teachers attend summer training in order to acquire the skills needed to help students. “This DTC program can provide so many different, and unique, career opportunities to Morgan High students,” said Hobson. “The students have a lot of fun soldering parts together, turning lights on and off and creating schematic plans.” 

On top of that, Stacy Hatch, a staff member from the DTC, is also available to work with students online and occasionally comes in-person. Students who start the program in their freshman or sophomore year are able to complete the entire program before graduating from Morgan High. However, students who do not finish the program during high school can still continue post-graduation at the DTC. After graduation they will be able to work for employers like Kroger, Lifetime Products, JR Automation, Amazon, FedEx, Autoliv, Cubiscan, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, HAFB and many more. If students follow through to the end, they will have the skills and knowledge to maintain and troubleshoot the equipment for most, if not all of these jobs. 

“I’ve been working on my own classes for a while, but last year I decided to start an internship within the program,” said Asher Johansen, a junior student that has been attending the class. “There is a wide variety of subjects available for students to participate in, so there is something for everyone. For my internship I assist the other students as they work their way through the program, making their experience in the courses a lot easier. All in all, the program has given me a better understanding of circuitry and electronic systems which I will use in the future.” 

Upon completion of the program, students will receive a certification to add to their resumes. What’s more, completed certification will also transfer to state universities as general credits

toward engineering degrees. 

“The Davis Tech Automation and Robotics program has provided a pathway for students at Morgan High to work on a technical education certificate in Automation and Robotics while attending High School,” said Hatch. “The program is a great pathway into engineering at local universities as well. I couldn't be prouder of the students at Morgan High enrolled in the Automation and Robotics Program. They are some of the brightest and dedicated students we have, and have a very bright future ahead of them with endless opportunities.”