Catalyst • Junior Secondary Curriculum • Handbook 2021
Year 8 Digital Technology
Let’s go Mobile!
Our students live in a connected world and as digital
connections continue to grow there is a greater need
to understand how networks operate. In this course
student will explore mobile communications; how
they are built, operated and maintained. They will
also have the opportunity to design and create their
own software application.
Key topics covered:
• Understanding how mobile devices and networks
work
• Building computational thinking skills to develop
basic algorithms
• Undertaking a primary research task through the
collection of relevant data
• Using software applications to analyse and display
data
• Understanding current networking hardware and
protocols
• Enhancing programming skills through the design
and development of an app suitable for use on a
mobile device.
Year 7 Design Technology
Select one of the three courses below.
Solar Power
In this course students will explore solar energy as a
renewable alternative to fossil fuels and a major energy
source. Following a design process, they will apply
their understanding to design and build a solar vehicle
with the aim of improving efficiency and functionality.
• Electronic circuitry used to convert the sun’s
energy directly into electric energy
• Identifying and investigating ways in which solar
power has been used locally, regionally and
globally
• Social, ethical and sustainability of alternative
solar energy
• How to analyse motion, force and energy to
control the outcomes of a solar vehicle
The Guildford Gourmet
Food brings people together and plays a large part
in all of our lives. There is increasing community
discussion and debate about food issues, including
hygiene, dietary requirements and food security. In this
course students will explore a range of these issues
and be introduced to basic food preparation skills and
techniques with the aim of planning and preparing a
number of delicious healthy meal options.
Key topics covered:
• Safety in relation to working in a kitchen with
cooking utensils
• Issues of food hygiene including food poisoning,
cross-contamination, temperature and storage
methods
• Genetically modified foods and the environmental
impact of food production
• The creation of healthy food items for breakfast,
lunch and dinner
• What constitutes a healthy and balanced diet?
Key topics covered:
• Concepts of solar energy
• Engineering design principles needed to construct
and test a fully solar powered model vehicle using
Photovoltaic (PV) cells
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