Engineering

Purpose

Students will plan, design and build a series of projects that help explore basic engineering principles. Several engineering disciplines will be covered and may include structural, mechanical, aerodynamics and civil engineering. The Engineering course is designed to expose students to a variety of engineering disciplines through hands on construction and testing projects and aims to generate theory from practice. In Engineering, students are required to undertake a variety of activities such as testing of materials, formulation of problems, analysis of engineering solutions, modelling solutions and prototyping.

In this Engineering course, we recognise that creativity and problem-solving reflect God’s design in us as His image-bearers. As students learn to design, build, evaluate and critique solutions, they are encouraged to act with integrity, stewardship, and care for others, using resources wisely and considering the impact of their work on people and the environment.

Structure and Content

Learning is primarily hands on and experiential and takes the form of ‘Engineering Challenges’. Students will undertake a range of engineering challenges, then work towards designing a solution, analysing the results and improving the design. 

Challenges may include but are not limited to: 

• Bridge or Tower Building (structural, material strength) 

• Boat Design (hull shape, buoyancy, propulsion efficiency) 

• Carbon Dioxide Dragster (aerodynamics, friction, materials density, energy efficiency) 

• Efficient Housing (design, heating and cooling efficiency) 

• Crash Test (force, absorption, destructive testing, crumple zones and materials).

Please note that this subject does not adequately prepare students for VCE Physics and should not be seen as an alternative to Year 10 Physics.