KLA Area - TAS

Stage 4

Classes have spent the year completing projects in specific areas of the TAS Department, progressing through the program for that area. This meant students were now working in Food Technology, Timber Technology, Metal Technology, Textiles and Information Technology. After working with all the groups, we have been impressed by their enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Year 8 technology students maximise their opportunities to achieve, whilst working in the areas of Computer Control, Electronics, Metal and Agriculture. The student’s willingness to engage with the lessons taught and acquire the new skills and knowledge required has seen them increase their mastery and produce designs and projects of a very high standard.

Stage 5

Electronics

Over the past term applied their knowledge to the creation of a number of electronically controlled cars and the year finally culminated in them building their own remote control car. The class worked in pairs to assemble the remote control cars and this collaborative approach enabled the students to work together to solve the difficult challenges that the remote control cars provided. All the students excelled with this project and were able to produce high quality remote control cars.

Graphics

Students have all excelled in picking up new skills and applying them to their projects. They have focussed on architecture this semester and students did a combination of freehand and CAD products to reflect a specific architecture style. All students presented excellent portfolios that articulated their chosen styles precisely. The Year 10 class have worked through another CAD unit that increased their depth of knowledge, with students able to produce some high quality work throughout both of these units. The final two units are focused on Flash animation, and this has seen them engage heavily with Adobe Flash CS6 and explore the extensive capabilities of this program. The enjoyment that students have experienced within these units has seen all students within the class produce some creative animations.

Agriculture

Year 9 Agriculture students have covered many farming enterprises. Students have had the opportunity to incubate eggs and raise chickens from birth. They have also been involved in many sheep husbandry practices.  Students attended the Junee Ag Vision expo and found out about many career pathways in Agriculture. Whilst the Year 10 students had the opportunity to attend the 4 day Ag Inspirations camp that gave students an in depth insight into many enterprises and careers in the industry. Some students have also attended the annual Shearing School and learnt the finer points of handling a “bogeye”. This year was the first year that Mater Dei has been involved in “Cows Create Careers”. This is an initiative of Dairy Australia to encourage students to learn about the dairy industry and the career pathways that it has to offer. Year 10 students were given 2 bobby calves and were responsible for feeding and raising these calves. Students also completed a scientific report and presentation on the dairy industry as part of this program. It is pleasing to note that we will have another Year 11 Agriculture class in 2015. This will be the first time that we have had an Agriculture class in each of the senior years.

Food

This past semester has seen the Year 9 class exploring the area of foods for special occasions. They have looked into why we celebrate occasions and how food is involved. Then they planned and prepared a Birthday party and made and decorated a cake in pairs. Food Technology has never been so exciting in Year 10! This semester, they studied trending foods creating their own dish based on a selection of ingredients from other cultures. This creativity continued into Food Catering and Selection where students designed their own cupcake centrepiece. They also planned and prepared a party designing the catering for the occasion.

Metal

Metal students in Year 9 have greatly enjoyed manufacturing projects in the workshop this semester. To finish the year students have fabricated a portable fold-up barbecue that includes a sheet metal case. All students have displayed a great deal of pride in their workmanship whilst learning new metalworking skills and knowledge. The end of the year has seen Year 10 been given the opportunity for students to design and construct a product of their own choice within given parameters. While some students were happy to produce the set projects on offer, others spent a great deal of time and effort out of class time to design and plan their own project. Canine containment devices were the most popular choice with a fish smoker, outdoor setting and go-kart trolley all being produced to a high standard.

Timber

Year 9 Timber students have been creating a Paper Towel Rack, which involved a more extensive use of woodworking tools including a lathe project. To finish the year off students will create a Chopping board that they design themselves. These projects have provided a broad experience in a variety of timber working methods. The Year 10 Timber class have primarily worked on two projects this year. A mirror frame and a small table. Each task has developed joinery skills of the students and extended their knowledge with timber concepts.

Stage 6

Year 11 Design and Technology

The largest cohort yet of Year 11 Design and Technology students at Mater Dei confirmed the positive reputation that the subject has at the College. The three terms of the preliminary course allowed the students to gain valuable skills and knowledge in a wide range of design situations. There were plenty of wood and metal products with some very impressive folios which documented the student work.

This class has a great deal of potential with Major Design projects HSC course being deliberated about already.

The Year 12 Design and Technology class of 2014 will be remembered as a close knit group who approached this demanding subject collaboratively. Students always assisted their classmates in their work and offered advice and motivation when needed. The Major Design Projects came together in August with the students displaying their designing and production skills in the Hall Foyer.

One piece of emerging technology that the students enjoyed using this year was our new BFB Touch 3D Printer. This technology allows students to print an ABS plastic product from a CAD drawing.

This year’s projects included:

·   An impressive Go-Pro mount for a ski rope by Matt Dean which has been nominated for DesignTECH

·   Slip-on fencing unit by Joe Melton

·   Timber bed head with dovetail joinery by Adam Tye

·   Outdoor table with chess board by Matt Collins

·   Dog kennel by Aiden Hill

·   Metalwork bench by Patrick Maher

·   Wakeboard Winch by Harrison Himmelberg

·   Wine table by MacGregor Hannigan

·   Outdoor bench by Jason Anderson

·   Utility tray toolbox by Isaac Mackenzie

·   Ute canopy by Cody Limbery

·   Laptop holder for his wheelchair Oscar Cruz

Ms Nicole Lane

KLA Leader - TAS