Design Technology

Design Production TASC

This term, Design Technology students have engaged in a variety of projects including replica ancient armour, metal shelving, jewellery boxes, and experimenting with casting by melting aluminium to make a custom pool cue. Each project has been carefully researched and designed to meet a variety of user needs. 

Engineering Design

Year 12 Engineering Design students have enjoyed the challenge of attempting to launch a water bottle rocket 100 metres in the air! Through a lot of trial and error, evaluation and refinement, they managed an impressive distance of 60 metres! Aerodynamics, weight, thrust, lift, drag, launch angle, amount of fuel and PSI of pressure have been considered and changed through many tests. 40 PSI with 700ml of water and a 45-degree angle were shown to bring the best results. After the stabilising fins broke off the bottle when using epoxy glue, good old duct tape proved to be the best solution butt this did reduce aerodynamics creating drag for our rocket. We all had a lot of fun and I look forward to next years students and seeing how their attempts go. Can someone make the 100 metre challenge?

Design Technology 7-10

Students in Design Technology in Years 7-10 have enjoyed a productive Term 2 finishing off projects, learning many new skills in CAD, metal work, woodworking and production line techniques.

Year 9 students have enjoyed working in production teams to complete attractive and functional folding up chairs, utilising a teamwork approach when delegating responsibilities for the mass production of their projects.

Year 7 students were introduced to Sketchup to create simple 2D technical drawings of their metal figurines and finish delightful wooden utensils they had started in Term 1. Many students have enjoyed shaping their figurines as we heated the steel cherry red to bend it into desired shapes.

Year 8 students have worked extremely hard to design, assemble, glue, sand and finish many pleasing chopping boards. They have applied food safe oils, resin and laser engraving techniques and produced excellent results.

Our Year 10 students finished their rocket stoves, culminating in a fun and tasty fry up competition. Ben Headley designed the most effective and efficient rocket stove design which allowed quick and easy lighting and extremely fast cooking times to have his hash brown and bacon hot and crispy in three and a half minutes! Students have now transitioned into developing 2D and 3D technical drawings using CAD programs for a group work folding chair project. 

I am very proud of all the students and the talented design work they have shown so far this year.

Mr Martin Prins

Design Technology Teacher