Stage 5 - (Years 9 & 10)

iSTEM ENGINEERING

This is a new elective that has been designed to allow students to discover the world of engineering. Using metal, timber, alternative energy and a variety of engineered structures, students will develop knowledge and skills about the following topics:

• Small structures eg: Bridges & Trebuchet's

• Robotics-NXT programming

• Electronics and mechanical control systems

• Aeronautics and racing cars.

• Graphical Communication – CAD and 3D graphics

This course will provide an excellent transition into the stage 6 Engineering Studies course and Design & Technology course, offered in years 11 & 12.

iSTEM Engineering

MARINE AND AQUACULTURE TECHNOLOGY

This course is designed for students with recreational and / or future vocational interest in the ocean. It allows students interested in environmental issues to further this interest.

There are compulsory core modules and optional modules.

The first compulsory core module involves water safety and first aid. It involves specified water skills including swimming 200m in still water.

Other core modules include topics such as:

• Marine plants

• Marine disasters

• Mangroves and estuaries

• Marine mammals

• Dangerous marine creatures

• Antarctica's marine ecology

• Shipwrecks and salvage

• The abyss

There are forty eight optional modules that allow students to further develop particular skills and interests.

Course work is supported by relevant practical and fieldwork. Fieldwork often involves excursions to appropriate venues.

TAS photo

FOOD TECHNOLOGY

The study of Food Technology provides students with a broad knowledge and understanding of food properties, processing, preparation and their interrelationship, nutritional considerations and consumption patterns. It addresses the importance of hygienic and safe working practices and legislation in the production of food. Students will develop food specific skills, which can then be applied in a range of contexts enabling students to produce quality food products. It also provides students with a context through which to explore the richness, pleasure and variety food adds to life and how it contributes to both vocational and general life experiences.

Students will learn about food in a variety of settings, enabling them to evaluate the relationships between food, technology, nutritional status and the quality of life. The following focus areas provide a context through which the core (Food preparation and processing, Nutrition and Consumption) will be studied.

International Cuisine
Food Trends
Food for Health
You're the Chef
Food for Celebration

The major emphasis of the Food Technology syllabus is on students exploring food related issues through a range of practical experiences, allowing them to make informed and appropriate choices with regard to food. Integral to this course is students developing the ability and confidence to design produce and evaluate solutions to situations involving food. They will learn to select and use appropriate ingredients, methods and equipment safely and competently.

Stage 5 Food Technology photo

TEXTILES AND DESIGN

This course has been designed to encourage students to be creative through investigating textiles and their many uses. Project and practical work forms a major part of the course and this allows students to become competent using textile technology, which is employed to make a wide range of items.

Students will become confident in design as they learn to apply design principles to all practical projects, which are tailored to suit their own individual interests.

As well as design, students will develop skills in fabric selection and pattern and garment construction where a clothing item, of the student's choice, is to be completed. Cultural considerations are also investigated where a project is to be completed involving the study of textiles from another culture.

This course allows students to develop and display their creativity and individuality by allowing them to follow their ideas and interests, by accessing the following courses:

Textiles 1
Textiles 2

GRAPHICS TECHNOLOGY

The study of Graphics Technology develops an understanding of the significance of graphical communication as a universal language and the techniques and technologies used to convey technical and non-technical ideas and information. Graphics Technology develops in students the ability to read, interpret and produce graphical presentations that communicate information using a variety of techniques and media.

Students will learn to produce a wide range of images, models, pictures and drawings. They will gain an understanding of graphics standards, conventions and procedures used in manual and computer-based drafting and design (CAD). CAD programs include Solid Works and Vector Works. Students will also model their designs using the 3D printer.

Year 9 Core Modules:

Pictorial Rendering
Product Drawing
Pictorial/Orthogonal Drawing
Assembly Drawing
CAD Drawing and Design
Perspective Drawing
Product Drawing and Design
3D Modelling

Year 10 Option Modules:

Architectural Drawing
Cabinet and Furniture Drawing
Engineering Drawing
CAD Drawing

Computer aided design and drafting will be undertaken in all four focus areas in Year 10.

The major emphasis of the Graphics Technology course is on students actively planning, developing and producing quality graphical presentations using manual and computer based technologies. They will also develop an understanding of the use of graphics in industrial, commercial and domestic applications.

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY – TIMBER – INTRODUCTION TO CABINETWORK & TRADITIONAL CABINETWORK

This course develops students' knowledge and understanding of timber and it's related processes and technologies. Students develop knowledge and skills relating to the selection, use and application of timber, tools, machines and processes through the planning and production of quality practical projects.

Students will learn to select and use a range of timbers for individual projects. They will learn to competently and safely use a range of hand tools, power tools and machines to assist in the construction of projects. They will also learn to produce drawings and written reports to develop and communicate ideas and information relating to projects.

Core modules in Year 9 develop knowledge and skills in the use of materials, tools and techniques related to timber. These are enhanced and further developed through the study of specialist modules in Cabinetwork and Wood Machining in Year 10.

Practical Projects include:

The major emphasis is on students' actively planning and constructing quality practical projects using current technology, They will also learn to produce drawings and written reports to develop and communicate ideas and information relating to projects. Students will use computer programmes such as Solid Works and/or Google Sketchup for drawing and design development.

decorative timber products
wood-turned items
storage and display units

INFORMATION SOFTWARE AND TECHNOLOGY

Information Software and Technology is an engaging and challenging course, designed to develop students' knowledge, confidence and creativity in designing, analysing, developing and evaluating information technology solutions.

Information Software and Technology (IST) focuses on developing computer skills through the completion of a variety of projects. Project work has a twofold purpose. Firstly, projects are a pedagogic tool for developing students' knowledge and skills in a range of information and software technology. Secondly, projects are used as a means of assessing students' knowledge, understanding and skills as a result of completing the course. IST aims to equip students with the ability to use computers as problem solving tools.

There are no pre-requisites for the study of Information and Software Technology. It is an elective course, which builds upon the knowledge, skills and experiences developed in the Technology (mandatory) Years 7-8 syllabus and the Information and Communication (ICT) syllabus. The course encourages and reinforces literacy strategies, especially the development of technical and technological literacy. Students communicate their ideas and solutions to problems in oral, written and graphical forms.

The course integrates the study of core within the context of option topics. The core content is completely integrated with content from the option topics and projects.

The core is divided into the following areas: