Prediction Poll Worksheet Prediction Poll
Future of Work Warm-up
Name:
Date:
How likely is it?
Get ready to think about the future of work! In this quick activity, you’ll predict which common jobs are most likely to be automated by robots or AI in the next 20 years.
Job Title
1 (Least Likely) 5 (Most Likely)
Retail Cashier
1
2
3
4
5
Taxi / Truck Driver
1
2
3
4
5
Factory Worker
1
2
3
4
5
Software Developer
1
2
3
4
5
Fast Food Cook
1
2
3
4
5
Financial Analyst
1
2
3
4
5
Teacher
1
2
3
4
5
Customer Service Rep
1
2
3
4
5
Think–Pair–Share
Turn to a partner and compare your top 2 “most at risk” jobs. Discuss one reason you agree or disagree on each choice.
Prediction Notes Automation Impact Lesson Plan Automation Impact Guide
Instructional Facilitation Plan
Grade Level
8th Grade
Duration
40 Minutes
Approach
Interactive Polling & Group Discussion
Focus
AI Literacy & Career Planning
The "Why"
By exploring real-world examples and voicing predictions, students build digital and AI literacy, gain proactive career-planning skills, and learn to adapt to the evolving job market.
Learning Objective
Students will assess how automation impacts various careers, predict high-risk jobs, brainstorm future-proofing strategies, and set personal action steps.
Teacher Prep
Review the Robots in the Workplace Slide Deck
Set up polling tool or physical finger-voting system
Print copies of Reaction Canvas (1 per student)
Materials Needed
Prediction Poll Worksheet Robots in the Workplace Slides Adaptation Strategies Guide Reaction Canvas Worksheet
Lesson Sequence
Time Activity & Instructions 5 MIN Warm-up: Prediction Poll
Launch the activity using the Prediction Poll Worksheet .
Students vote on a 1–5 scale for automation risk as you read jobs aloud.
Quick Think–Pair–Share : partners compare top two “most at risk” jobs.
|
| 10 MIN |
Explore Automation Trends
Present Robots in the Workplace Slide Deck.
Highlight real-world AI/robotics examples across industries.
Pause after slide 4 to ask: “Which example surprised you most and why?”
|
| 15 MIN |
Adaptation Strategies Discussion
Form groups of 3–4; assign scenarios using the Strategies Talk Guide .
Groups brainstorm 2–3 human-centric skills to stay relevant.
Rotate scenarios for peer review/additions; groups share one top strategy.
|
| 10 MIN |
Cool-down: Reaction Canvas
Distribute the Reaction Canvas worksheet.
Students individually reflect on their biggest takeaway and personal action step.
Collect canvases to gauge understanding and future career interests.
|
Robots in the Workplace Slides Future Forward
Robots in the
Workplace
How automation and AI are transforming industries—and what that means for your future careers.
Teacher Notes
Introduce the slide deck. Explain that we’ll look at real-world automation examples and data to understand how AI and robots are changing work.
Manufacturing Automation
• Robot arms in car factories assemble parts with high speed and precision.
• Humans now focus on programming, maintenance, and quality control.
Insert Factory Robot Clip Here
Teacher Notes
Highlight advances in factory automation. Show a photo or short clip of robot arms assembling cars. Emphasize speed, precision, and how human roles have shifted.
Automation in Services
Self-checkout kiosks in grocery stores
Chatbots handling customer service inquiries
Automated room-service robots in hotels
Teacher Notes
Point out examples in retail and hospitality. Ask: Have you used a self-checkout or spoken to a chatbot? What was that experience like?
AI in Professional Roles
AI algorithms reviewing complex legal documents.
Machine-learning models predicting medical diagnoses.
Automated financial-analysis tools.
Teacher Notes
Discuss how AI is affecting white-collar work. Show an example of legal-tech software or AI-assisted medical diagnosis.
Data Snapshot: Jobs at Risk
Manufacturing 60%
Retail & Food Service 55%
Finance & Insurance 40%
Education & Healthcare 30%
Key Takeaway
"Routine tasks are easier to automate than those requiring complex social interaction or unpredictable physical work."
Teacher Notes
Display a bar chart showing projected automation risk by sector. Explain data source and ask students to interpret key trends.
Reflection Prompt
“Which example surprised you most and why?”
1
Spend 1–2 minutes writing your thoughts on your worksheet.
2
Then turn to a neighbor and share one insight you found interesting.
Teacher Notes
Prompt students to reflect before moving to strategies. Encourage sharing with a partner or small group.
Adaptation Strategies Guide Adaptation Strategies
Future-Proofing Your Career
Group Members
The Mission
Step into the shoes of workers whose jobs face automation. Brainstorm how they can evolve and thrive in a high-tech world.
Timing
7 MIN: Brainstorm strategies5 MIN: Rotate & Add to another chart3 MIN: Share out final thoughts
Human Strengths to Consider
Empathy
Connecting with others emotionally.
Creativity
Coming up with unique solutions.
Ethics
Making moral and complex decisions.
Problem Solving
Fixing things when the system fails.
Group Scenarios
Scenario A
Factory Worker
Robot arms now assemble all standard parts. Physical speed is no longer your main advantage.
Scenario B
Customer Service Rep
Chatbots handle 90% of basic customer questions. People only call you for big problems.
Scenario C
Taxi / Truck Driver
Self-driving vehicles are emerging on highways. Long-haul driving is becoming automated.
Scenario D
Financial Analyst
AI tools crunch data and forecast stock trends faster and more accurately than any human.
Guiding Questions
Which skill seems most “future-proof” across different jobs?
How might someone bundle technical and soft skills to stand out?
What’s one thing you can start learning now to get ready?
Reaction Canvas Worksheet Reaction Canvas
Lesson Cool-down & Reflection
Name:
Date:
1. My Biggest Takeaway
Reflecting on the polls, the data, and our group discussions: What is the most important thing you learned today about the future of work?
2. One Action I Will Take
Think about your future career path. What is one concrete step you can take now or in the near future to "future-proof" your skills?
Will Robots Replace You?
