Technology News

Design Technology and Food Studies

This Newsletter we are focusing on Year 7 and their experiences and exciting challenges in Design Technology and Food Studies. Both studies have focused on skill development and Assessment CATS.

Design Technology

Yr7 Straw Bridge Challenge

The year 7 students started their Design Technology experience with a group challenge, giving them the opportunity to not only build bridges but to build relationships with their new class members. The challenge was to build a straw bridge spanning 500mm using only 50 straws and 5m of tape. They explored different types of structures, discovering what gives bridges their strength, and looked at examples from all around the world. The groups then applied this knowledge to their bridge design and build. The bridge test was until destruction to find the maximum weight it would hold; students predicted which structure would be the strongest and analysing why different bridges failed. As you can imagine, this created a lot of excitement and competitiveness on testing day, not only between the groups in the class but also between the classes for bragging rights.

Ms Melissa Royale

Design Technology Domain Leader

Year 7 Refelections

“For the past 3 weeks we have been working on our common assessment task in Design Technology. For 3 weeks we studied the designs of famous bridges around the world. Our goal was to create a straw bridge using nothing but 50 straws and 5m of making tape. Our class aimed to beat the school record 1270g. After 3 weeks we began testing and when the day came we all had a great fun time listening to music and testing our creations. Congratulations to GLOT for getting the highest score in 7J. GLOT’s bridge held 600g in total. The school record was not beaten and thanks to Mr Bradley for helping everyone create their bridges. “

Liam Jolly 7J

“In our Design Tech classes we have been constructing a bridge only using straws and tape with a group. Each group of students could use only use 5m of tape. Once every bridge had been built we had a day when we saw which bridge could hold the most weight using blocks. Our group held the winning weight of 610 gms.”

Ned Capp 7F

“Our bridges varied from different shapes and sizes and they all held different weights. After weeks of hard work the testing day came. We all huddled around the table and watched as each group added all their weights. At the end of the lesson we revealed who had won and it was MY TEAM!!! Our bridge held 610gm. The losing team held 80gm. I can’t wait for next term. Thanks Mrs Royale”.

Olivia Ponchard 7F

Food Studies

Over the last month students have started to develop chopping and measuring skills with their Frittatas, Fruit Pizzas, Muesli and Spaghetti Bolognese. Students are starting to plan for their own designed “Stuffed Potato” which they will produce early Term 2. They have also completed their Research Task on Vegetables. This research task allowed students to use their ICT skills by presenting their projects on Power Point. For most students it was the first time they used Compass to upload their work for assessment. Great job Year 7!

Below we have a few student’s experiences over the month.

“I am really enjoying Food Studies this year! Since I love cooking and cook a lot at home this is really making me feel confident when I create things. My favourite food that we have cooked so far would have to be the Frittatas.”

Heidi Chalmers 7H

“Recently we did a Vegetable Assignment. It wasn’t tricky and it was fun being able to learn about a vegetable of our choice. I also really enjoy cooking things. We got a chocolate or strawberry milkshake after our first lesson!”

Dakota Lehner7B

“We had to complete a presentation on a vegetable of our choice. I chose Brussel Sprouts and I enjoyed making the project.”

Zac Pendrey 7B

“I think it was quite interesting measuring and cooking Muesli. It was an experience.”

Ava Smith 7D

“Today in food we made Toasted muesli. It was interesting to put the different ingredients in together because I’ve never made this recipe before.”

Chantelle Harrace 7D

Open Night Food Studies

On the 14th March we had a fantastic team of Year 8 students, principally from the Electives Edible Gifts and Masterchef, who volunteered to do a demonstration class for Open Night. They all worked independently and tirelessly to make Herby Pastry Swirls. We would like to thank them for their hard work.

The following students assisted on Open Night;

Charlotte Jones 8A, Foon Kotsueb 8A, Laura Haymes 8B, Steph Rosicka 8B, Tegan Thornell-Brink 8B, Reese Smeath 8D, Jolie Fisher 8F, Diamond Pinter 8F, Edward Barnard 8G, and Jordyn McLean 8J.

Mrs Jill Bailes

Food Technology Teacher