Technology and

Applied Studies

Technology Mandatory

Year 8 have been working hard to complete the final assessment tasks for the year. The Engineering unit has focused on individual ability to problem solve by designing a solution for someone within the community who may face an everyday struggle or frustration in completing a specific task.

Students completing the Mixed materials unit have been applying sewing skills to create Toy Monsters. Lastly students have been in the timber worksheet creating timber frames for the laser light project. This unit gave the students an opportunity to use a number of timber hand tools and learn new skills in the workshop. 

Timber

Year 9 have been busy working on two projects this term. They are getting close to finishing the Trinket Box with most students up to the flocking and fitting hinges process. The second project involves students turning a handle on the lathe for a tool box project that will be completed for the remainder of the term.

Year 10 are also getting close to finishing their final project. This year we have designed a new dartboard project which incorporates a panel door design. The class has worked great and learnt a number of new timber skills.    

Metalwork

Year 9 students have been working on two projects over Terms 3 and 4.  They have been constructing a Campfire BBQ where they have learned and applied various metalworking skills such as MIG welding, plasma cutting and using the angle grinder to grind and cut various parts of their project. They are currently making a stainless steel spatula with a timber handle as a value add to their BBQ project. 

Year 10 have finished their Bike lift project and have spent all of their time designing and constructing their Student Interest Project. Some students have built fire buckets and others have designed and created garden sculptures.

 Agriculture

Year 10 students have completed their final examination for the year and are working on their Intensive Ag Trials for the term. As part of this, students are in charge of running their own farming enterprise and attempting to increase efficiency as much as possible. 

Some of the trials include finding the optimal diet for Australian Eel-tailed Catfish, speeding up growth of sunflowers with different growing techniques and comparing the coarseness of barley grain and its impact on cattle steer weight gain. These trials are the complete responsibility of the students which requires daily feeding and checking. Their results will be showcased at the end of term. 

Food Technology

Year 9 have been working through their Special Occasions unit learning about the reasons for special occasions, with practical tasks developed and made to suit a variety of occasions from across the year. Their assessment task to create and make a cake for a special occasion saw individual skills challenged as they made cakes including; Spider Man, Bat Man, a Monkey, Tiana from The Princess and the Frog and a Lego Brick.

Year 10 have been investigating Food Trends, with practical tasks were given to reflect current food trends, with meals such as sheet pancakes, walking nachos and hash brown pizzas being cooked. Their assessment task was to create and make a menu item for a coffee shop based on a current food trend. Students extended their practical skills learnt from across the past two years to develop interesting flavours based on the trends of fresh produce, mini croissants, hot sauce, urban produce, heritage on a plate and chocolate bombs.

Graphics

The main assessment task for the year is nearly completed, with students in Year 10 proposing an industrial/commercial development for Wagga Wagga and producing a scale model of the development. Some great freehand sketches, CAD drawings, Minecraft and scale models have been produced to showcase the skills and students have developed this semester.

Agriculture

Year 12, 2023 students have started their HSC course this term and are currently mid-way through their Plant Production unit. This looks at the factors relevant to successful plant growth and strategies farmers can use to optimise their production. Students have their first assessment task which looks at plant pests and creating a program to prevent and control the impact. This program needs to use multiple strategies and consider the holistic/sustainable nature of farming. 

Design and Technology

Year 12, 2023 students are midway through their case study of an emerging technology. Some interesting designs have been chosen to investigate with the knowledge they gain from case study helping students in the development of their own Major Design project.

Mr Andrew Geurtsen | TAS KLA Leader