Technology News

Food by Design

Engagement, teamwork and creativity

Year 8 LED Signs

Students in year 8 Materials Technology were introduced to a basic electrical system of an LED battery-operated circuit for an LED Sign. Students designed their sign, then engraved and cut the sign out using the Laser Cutter. Students demonstrated safe use of tools and equipment to solder a functional circuit including circuit board, LED’s, resistors, and battery packs.

Ashli Roberts

Year 9 Cam Toys

Students in year 9 Systems Technology were introduced to a basic mechanical system of cams and followers incorporated in a Cam Toy. Students designed their characters, influence by popular culture, using the CAD software AutoDesk Inventor, then engraved and cut the characters out using the Laser Cutter. Students also designed the cam system using laser cut cams. Students demonstrated safe use of tools and machinery to create a timber frame, attach their characters to one end of the follower, and attach their cams to the other end. Students then designed and engraved a front for their Automata.

Ashli Roberts

STEM Club Chess Sets

Some students in year 8 have spent their lunch times in STEM club, in both the workshop and the 3D printing lab, to make their own chess sets. Students used recycled American Oak bench tops and Kwila decking boards cut into strips, laminated together, then cross-cut and laminated again, to create their chessboards. Some students went further and built a base, frame, and drawers to house the pieces. Students designed and 3D printed their chess pieces in two opposing colours.

Ashli Roberts