Food Specialisations
Year 9
Students studying Food Specialisations will complete two units of work across the semester.
In Unit 1 (Nutritious and Sustainable), students investigate the quality of menu items, considering the Australian Dietary Guidelines and the sustainability implications, then modify and design a nutritious menu item for adolescents. Throughout the unit, students will investigate past and present canteen foods and how these have evolved over time and how these menu items can be improved. Students will select an existing recipe that does not meet the Australian Dietary Guidelines for adolescents, identify the changes that are necessary to appeal to adolescents, and to satisfy the requirements of the Australian Dietary Guidelines, suggesting improvements. Students will then create the recipe by applying practical cookery skills and safety and hygiene practices in the kitchen.
In Unit 2 students look at Techno Food (The Functional Properties of Food). Students explore these properties, creating a dish each week focusing on the different functional properties of food. Students will explore gelatinisation, browning reactions/caramelisation, coagulation and aeration and apply this knowledge to the creation of cakes and loaves in baking, this unit provides students with the knowledge behind cooking. Students will also learn that when they are selecting, storing and preparing food, it is important to be aware of its properties. Students will discover that each food has its own chemical, physical, sensory and functional properties which carry out various functions in food preparation. Students will tie this knowledge all together by producing a cake or loaf based on a selection of the functional properties explored throughout the unit, utilising the design process to document design thinking.
Digital Technologies
Year 7
Students studying Digital Technologies will complete two unit of work across the semester.
This entails learning about robotic automation and coding through completing the Mars crash site challenge. In this challenge students are required to code their robot using colour and ultrasonic sensors to navigate a physical course. They must recover a flight recorder and 3 stranded crew after a mission to Mars went horribly wrong. Students will then look at how robotic automation is used in different industries such as medical, transport and agriculture. Students will then select one industry and redesign a robot to solve a problem that industry faces.
Meanwhile, the other half of the cohort will be learning how to code in Minecraft to create an interactive virtual tour of the college. Using the creative mode in Minecraft students are able to create a digital map of the college, complete with building and landscaping. Through hosting, students can join each other's maps and explore with them in detail for the purpose of providing user feedback prior to creating their final version. Ideal examples of this may one day be used on the college website as a way for families to explore the college prior to attending in person.
Year 9
Students will complete two units of work across the semester.
In Unit 1 students are introduced to basic website front-end development using HTML and CSS. This results in the design and development of a review website. Students use a design process to plan an effective interactive web application. To create their final design, students collaborate with stakeholders and share resources and ideas in the classroom to best understand the requirements and most effective methods of presenting their content and data.
In Unit 2 students are introduced to basic electromechanical systems and programming principles by building and coding an Arduino robot. Students will need to code their design and evaluate a self-driving robot car that can navigate in a set environments using different sensors.
Engineering Principles and Systems
Year 9
Students studying Engineering Principles and Systems will complete two units of work across the semester. In Unit 1 students investigate parcel delivery systems and the engineering principles and occupations that they employ. This results in the design and construction of a scale model sorting centre, where students use the power or gravity to sort a continuous stream of 3 different size marbles into different paths. This therefore simulates the types mechanisms and principles that are used in real sorting centres. Students then pair this with an introduction to some basic engineering calculations relating to force and energy.
In Unit 2 students explore the world of hydraulics through the eyes of a Mechanical Engineer. Students engage with 3D modelling software and rapid prototyping technologies such as the College Laser Cutters and 3D Printers to prototype a hydraulic excavator. Using syringes and vinyl hose in conjunction with laser cut acrylic arms, students will understand the basic principles behind how a hydraulic arm works, including mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and turning moments. Students then prototype an excavator bucket that can be attached and articulated on the end of their arm. The most effective deigns will be capable of moving the largest volume of sand within a set time, without exceeding the parameters of the assignment.
Materials and Technologies Specialisations
Year 9
Students studying Materials and Technologies Specialisations will complete two units of work across the semester. In Unit 1 students learn about a range of different plastics manufacturing technologies, in particular glass and metal tube laser cutters. After mastering the basics of Adobe Illustrator students are challenged with designing a set of drink coasters and are later shown a process called acrylic back painting which they use to bring their coaster to life once cut. Students then further learn how to manipulate acrylic with a strip feature as they cut and form an acrylic serviette holder of their own design.
In Unit 2 students explain the features of different timber workshop technologies, including band saws, scroll saw, disc sander etc, that can be used to manufacture an LED lamp. Once students have developed and refined their design they manipulate a range of timber, aluminium and electronic materials and parts to manufacture a functional LED lamp prototype.