Technology News

Year 8 Pencil Cases

Students in year 8 Materials Technology classes were introduced to the design process by redeveloping an existing product, a timber Pencil Case. Students designed and produced their Pencil Case from recycled hardwood timber palings with an acrylic lid, using a range of tools, machinery, and processes, incorporating housing joints and laminating timber, and a design laser engraved into the lid. Students were required to demonstrate safe use of tools and machinery, including the Belt Sander, Disc Sander, Orbital Sander, and Palm Router.

Ashli Roberts

Year 9 Lego Boxes

Students in year 9 Materials Technology were given a project to introduce them to basic woodworking skills, tools, and machinery. Students followed a set design to manufacture a Lego Box. The Lego Box is a timber storage box in the shape of a 2 x 2 Lego brick that can be stacked on top of each other like real Lego bricks. Students finished off their project by spray painting it their chosen colour.

Ashli Roberts

Year 9 Model Houses

Students in year 9 Systems Technology were given a project to introduce them to Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and the emerging technologies of Computer Aided Machinery (CAM). Students learnt how to use various 2D sketching functions in AutoDesk Inventor to design the floor plan of their dream house, and 3D modelling functions to extrude their walls and create doors and windows. Students realised their design by 3D printing into a 3-dimensional prototype.

Ashli Roberts

BrainSTEM Challenge

Our Year 9 students participated in the biannual Brain Stem Challenge, hosted by Camberwell Grammar School on Wednesday. They had the opportunity to understand the challenges our world faces in relation to sustainability, energy, production and consumption of goods and services. An industry panel gave their point of view on how we can all step up and act on being more resourceful when it comes to sustainability. After the presentation students were then asked to design a solution to share with judges, they were able to translate those idea using Lego prototypes. These designs were judged at the end to the event and students were given prizes. Viewbank College were amongst each of the 6 finalist groups and managed to be the winners of the BrainStem Challenge. Here is what Shirya had to say about the event. 

‘I recently had the incredible opportunity to participate in a Brainstem workshop at Camberwell Grammar. The workshop was an enlightening journey into the intricate world of stem and circular economy. Through engaging lectures and hands-on activities, I gained a deeper understanding of the world around us a different views of people from different schools. The interactive nature of the workshop allowed me to connect with fellow participants, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Overall, it was fun to be the winning team with an idea to create a circular economy app with integrated AI to give old medical resources to poorer or rural communities.’ Shriya Year 9