Year 7-8 Technology

Year 7’s have settled in well to Technology, soon realising that it’s not just about computers. During Term 1 students have been engaged in units including planes, leather key tags, and Digitech- coding.

Students are inquisitive and eager to learn. The aerodynamics unit sees students design and make a model plane, then testing them to identify which designed planes will fly the farthest and fastest. They have been experimenting with paper designed planes to see how and why they fly successfully. 

The Material Textiles unit involves using leather to make key tags. Students use Adobe Illustrator software to create their designs which are then etched onto leather using the laser cutter. Hand craft skills are developed by cutting, edging, braiding and stitching leather to challenge the students further.

The Digitech unit does involve computers! Students engaged in Binary coding and develop this coding further by becoming familiar with using Arduino kits to complete coding activities.

Their final design project is to code a lighting show.

Year 8 classes are busy with a range of units including Agriculture/Food, Engineering-Catapult designs and night laser lights. 

Students are enjoying preparing the Eco Pods and planting their food sources in preparation for harvesting and using in their practical cooking class at the end of Term 2.

The engineering unit investigates how force, motion and energy can be used in systems, machines and structures. Students research, design and construct experimental small scale catapults.

Mr Dorczak has put out the challenge to the other classes designing a catapult to take on his class, in particular one student who has designed and constructed a small scale catapult and recorded a distance of  9.72 m.

Performing in fun activities has provided students with learning and understanding of how forces and the properties of materials affect the behaviour and performance of the catapult and how engineering can improve people’s lives. 

Many of the catapults were able to propel a projectile in excess of 6 meters.

The night light designs are well under way with some intricate and interesting designs being created using the laser cutter. Students are looking forward to finishing their lamp, taking them home and trying them out in their intended environment. 

Bridget McMeekin | TAS Coordinator