Overview
Are robots and self-driving cars the way of the future? Will robots take people’s jobs? Will we really be able to relax as the car does the work? Is that safe? Will there be any jobs left to go to anyway? This segment looks at the development, use, and impact of robots and self-driving cars.

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Lesson Insights

Grade level and subjects
• Recommended for grades 6-12
• Subjects: Science / Technology
• Works in Classroom, Hybrid, and Homeschool settings

What students will learn
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• discuss impending innovations of self-driving cars and robots;
• explain the benefits and drawbacks of self-driving cars and robots; and
• evaluate the effects of technological innovations, such as self-driving cars and robots, on the way people live.

Key concepts and terms covered
Creative Destruction.

Sample discussion questions
• How are self-driving cars and robots creating and destroying at the same time? Is this concept, called creative destruction, new to the technological era in which we live? Explain.
• Just what is the role of government in all of this? What is the role of government, period?
• While in the self-driving car, John Stossel used words such as scared and terrifying. What matters more, that you seem more safe or that you are more safe?
• With robot combatants, do you think countries would be more willing, less willing, or just as willing to fight wars?
• Max Borders said in the video that “the economy evolves; it’s an evolving ecosystem.” What does he mean? Do you agree? What happens if we try to stop it from evolving?

What’s in the free teacher’s guide
This printable 12-page Teacher's Guide includes a lesson description, learning objectives, key vocabulary, a fill-in viewing guide with answer key, discussion and analysis questions, and classroom activities.

Standards alignment
Aligned to state standards — use the SITC Standards Tool to match this video to the standards in your state.