Technology and
Applied Studies
Year 7
In Term 1, Year 7 students have embarked on their Technology journey. They have started working on projects focusing on Agriculture/Food Technologies and Digital Technologies. In Digital Technologies (DigTech), students have delved into discussions on online safety and gaining a deeper insight into the workings of the internet. Meanwhile, in Agriculture/Food Technologies (AgFo), student groups are creating Safety Videos centered around the Ag Plot and Food Technology area using WeVideo. The students have successfully completed their initial cooking lesson, preparing Fried Rice. Throughout the lesson, they showcased excellent teamwork, hygiene practices, as well as cooking and cleaning skills.
Year 8
Year 8 are applying themselves well, focusing on learning the skills and knowledge required in each specialist area. This has seen students use the Inquiry process to design and make a Laser Light, using 3mm ply on the laser cutter and create frames in the Timber workshop. As a part of a Textiles Toy monster Project students have designed and learnt how to stitch. They also investigated forces required to design a catapult to throw a projectile and document its distance, accuracy and power.
Year 9
A new course called Computing Technologies has been introduced this year, replacing the older IST course and focusing on the basics of software design. Students have investigated the key control structures of Sequence, Selection and Repetition by using the Little Bits kits, creating circuits that do all manner of interesting functions. Students have also been looking at the basics of a few programming languages and markup languages.
The Year 9 Food Technology class has started the year with great enthusiasm and have really enjoyed getting back in the kitchen. The current unit of study is Food in Australia where students have learnt about Australia’s Native Foods and incorporating them into their practical lessons. Students are looking forward to selecting recipes to cook and adapting them to include native ingredients such as Wattleseed, Lemon Myrtle or Native Pepperberry.
Year 9 Timber has almost finished their first project of the year and students have been developing their skills making a four-joint frame to demonstrate a variety of commonly used joints. The students will be developing their base knowledge of carpentry throughout this first semester and learning a variety of skills. Towards the end of this term, they will be creating their own chopping boards with personalised laser engraving.
The Year 9 Metal classes have commenced Term 1 keen to learn new skills, develop knowledge and then share their skills to help their peers to succeed in the course. The sheet metal toolbox project allows students to develop accurate marking out skills, cutting, drilling, pop riveting and using equipment such as guillotines and benders.
Year 10
Year 10 Agriculture has been continuing to develop their knowledge and understanding of farming as an enterprise. With visits to the Ag Plot to analyze our livestock, infrastructure and soil quality, the students have gained a deeper understanding of the availability of resources and assessing the interactions between all components of a farm. Students this term will begin preparing the Ag Plot for a cropping trial as part of their assessment and understanding of plant subsystems.
Year 10 Graphics have been developing their skills learnt early last year and building on these to achieve AS1100 standards of technical manual drafting which creating a number of Orthographic and Isometric drawings of components. Students this term will then begin an interior design unit based on their own interests and applying their skills to developing designs.
Year 10 Food Technology students are learning about health and nutrition through investigating how food consumption affects our bodies and activity levels and what positive and negative impact this has on our bodies. Practical tasks have included homemade muesli bars, beef quesadillas and ordering a $20 family meal for their group. Their Assessment Task has the students planning a diet for someone with a dietary disorder. Next term they will be finding out about food inequity for individuals and society.
Year 10 Timber are completing a side table project. This project includes a number of complex steps which students have been keen to work on. Students have been busy developing these core joinery skills. They are currently tapering the legs and cutting domino joints in the workshop. Towards the end of this term the students will begin to research industry standard approaches to improving production in a number of industry areas.
In Year 10 IST, students have been looking at Robotics and Automated Systems. Students have investigated the history of robotics and the practical use of robots in manufacturing and other industries. They have discussed the practicalities of Isaac Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics, considered ethical implications of self-driving cars, and started developing further Python coding skills in anticipation of working with Arduinos in the second half of the semester.
Year 10 Metal has continued with their productive attitude towards the subject which the showed last year. With an increased focus on quality, accurate work in year 10 course requiring students to take more care and responsibility for producing components as per the tolerances given.
Year 11
The Year 11 Design and Technology class have been looking closely at what it means to be a designer and the factors that affect design. Students are also currently working on an Australian Design case study, where they are required to explore a well known Australian design and the various processes involved in its development.
Year 12
Year 12 Design and Technology students are now refining their project proposals for the Major Design Project component of their course. The range of projects this year is impressive and link directly with either student personal or vocational interests and goals.
Mr Andrew Geurtsen | TAS KLA Leader
