I had the pleasure of teaching Year 7D & H Design Materials and Technology and Year 8E Information Systems. After a hard year of lockdown, students were raring to socialise with friends and in need of hands-on learning. What better way to incorporate both of these elements than to engage in a Billy Cart unit.

In this unit, students researched, designed, built and rode billy carts, all while working in a team and taking on different roles as Manager, Marketing Director and Graphic Designer. They all worked toward the goal of hosting a Billy Cart Derby Day for each of their classes and the whole school. In the process they created promotional documents, designed number plates and constructed mini billy cart prototypes as well as large billy carts.

Research

Students researched the history of Billy Carts and how the development of vehicle technology has changed over time (considering societal, ethical, economic, environmental and social sustainable factors). The also discovered how vehicles have developed from push/pull systems (billy carts), to motorized vehicles and now being revolutionised by electric vehicles. They researched the impact that new vehicle technology has had on the environment, also learning about the material they were using for the assignment and why (sustainably sourced pine timber).

Design

Students drew 3D designs of their billy carts from different views. They designed and painted their mini model billy carts individually and their large/life-sized models as a team. They created promotional documents and informative pieces using the program Canva.

Construct

Students constructed mini prototype billy carts by observation, individually and they built a large/life-sized model billy cart using a procedure with a team. They also constructed additional items to go on their billy cart i.e. spoilers, as well as putting together road signs for race day.

What did they learn?

Students provided feedback as they reflected on what they’d learnt throughout this unit, some include:

Tool safety and terminology- How to use a hammer, socket spanner, wrench, screwdriver and drill.
Billy cart history- Where they come from, what they are and the impacts of vehicle technology on the environment.
How to use the design and promotional program, Canva.
Teamwork- The kind of personalities they worked well with. What kind of team player they are e.g. whether they like to manage the group, someone who is outward with their ideas, or if they are someone who is quieter and more of a listener, someone who is creatively inclined or would rather deal with the logistics.
How to organise an event- The promotion and the logistics.
Community- Contacting local stores to ask for donated prizes for event day winners. Understanding the importance of team support.
That they can achieve anything if they put their mind to it.

Race day

The last day of their unit was a success as all the students' hard work paid off. Students raced one another in an obstacle course and a relay race. They received ‘Formula Billy Awards’ for fastest racers, best racers (Ricciardo award), raffle winner, most team points and most individual points. Throughout the unit, points were given to students for taking initiative, being respectful, cooperating, being fair, helping one another and going above and beyond. The individuals who were awarded the prize for most points were Khy and Tammy from 8E, Isabella 7D, and Mila 7H. Those points were also calculated together with their team members for the team award. Congratulations to ‘The Four Musketeers' 7D, ‘The Ninja Turtles’ 7H, and ‘Uncle Tobi’s Peaches’ 8E for winning the team award. Students organised the prizes for the final day and Coles kindly donated $100 worth of vouchers, lollies and chocolates, Woolies $25 worth of vouchers and Epping McDonald’s donated $50 worth of vouchers. It was a fun and successful day.

Student Feedback

My favourite thing about this unit was…

‘Building Billy Carts’, ‘Painting & decorating Billy Carts’, ‘Learning new stuff’, ‘We got to create our own Billy carts’, ‘Hammering things’, ‘Racing the Billy Carts’, ‘Team work’, ‘Working with my friends’.

What new skills did I learn in this unit?

‘How to use a drill’, ‘New painting skills and also how to build a Billy Cart’, ‘How to use nuts and bolts’, ‘Using tools safely’, ‘How to use tools’, ‘Teamwork & woodwork’, ‘How to properly hammer nails and how to use a screwdriver’.

What did I learn about myself?

‘I need to work on group work’, ‘That I can work well with a certain group of people’, ‘That I am pretty good at putting wood together’, ‘That I can achieve anything’, ‘That I am capable of using tools that I’ve never used before’, ‘I like hammering’, ‘I am good at riding Billy Carts’, ‘I’m actually alright at building’, ‘That creating a Billy Cart was fun’.

What did I find particularly difficult?

‘Some building parts’, ‘High noise level’, ‘Working silently’, ‘Group work’, ‘Hammering nails into the wood’, ‘The instructions on how to build the Billy’, ‘Time management’, ‘Putting the cart together’.

What is something I need to continue working on?

‘Painting’, ‘Teamwork’, ‘Steering the Billy’, ‘Learning new things’, ‘Putting in more effort’, ‘Time management’, ‘Physical Labour’, ‘Not talking’.

Did I have fun?

94.4% of students had fun

Why did I have fun? Because…

‘I got to work with my mates’, ‘Creating the cart was fun’, ‘It was something different to what we normally do’, ‘Billy Carts are fun’, ‘I built the cart and got to race it’, ‘It was enjoyable because not only was I able to talk to my friends and do my work, it’s a type of work that was fun because it involved hands on work unlike other subjects’, ‘It was fun’, ‘Racing the carts was enjoyable’, ‘I got to make something with my friends that I will never forget’, ‘I got to talk, build and paint’, ‘Race day’.

Additional notes.

‘Thank you for this opportunity’, ‘Thank you for teaching us’.

The design process

3D drawing, laser printed number plates, mini prototype billy carts

The design process

Large Billy Carts

The build

The organisation

Managers and marketing directors organising race day.

Test run

Final Products

Race Day

Organised and run by students.

Tuning into Teens – Parenting Program