Technological & Applied Studies News (Page 2-2)

Year 9 Design and Technology

STEM Partnership with Henschke and Sacred Heart Primary Schools.

This term, Year 9 Design & Technology and iSTEM students have participated in a STEM partnership program run by CEDWW. We were partnered with two local primary schools, Henschke and Sacred Heart. The core focus of the unit was to develop students' understanding of the interrelated nature of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as the key to solving complex challenges of the future. Discovering the practical relevance of scientific and mathematical concepts through the design and development of a product with real world application will not only introduce students to modern technologies but improve their skills as designers.

Aerodynamics introduces students to the science and maths behind flight and rocketry. Students will learn about basic aerodynamic principles, experimentation and testing and the design of aerodynamic objects. After a number of introductory lessons, students will design, build and test bottle rockets to demonstrate their understanding of aerodynamics and will use mathematics such as trigonometry to determine the maximum height of their rocket flight. Students have also developed their skills and knowledge in Computer Aided Design and 3D printing to print rocket fins and nose cones.

Bridget McMeekin / Jenny Watt | Design & Technology Teacher / TAS Coordinator

Year 7 Technology Mandatory 

Mrs Mackay’s Year 7 Technology Mandatory students this term were working on their literacy, IT and design skills creating Magazine Articles. Students reached out to local non profit organisations, exploring the extraordinary work of those in our community.

Students were fortunate enough to have Michael Godfrey Roberts join the class via zoom to share his incredible lifetime of volunteering. Students were amazed to hear of Michaels's time volunteering for Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and Wheelchair Sports NSW. Lessons were filled with rich stories of those like Michael in our community, who live out our Catholic ethos, donating their lives to supporting not-for-profit organisations.

With this research, students were able to each write high-quality magazine articles with the support of our College Literacy Coaches. Students look forward to bringing their articles home to share with you. 

Penny Mackay | TAS/ VET Teacher / VET Coordinator.

Year 7 Learn The Basic Principles Of Flight

Year 7 Technology explored the basic principles of flight as part of their unit of work this term. Students were asked to design and build a model aeroplane made from balsa wood and race them with peers using a power anchor. Students worked very hard to refine design ideas to improve design solutions, and constructed their final model. The students tested their designs, while recording the speed and altitude of their planes, using the data logger. Students indicated in their final evaluations that they had a blast working on this project.

Samuel Avo | TAS Teacher