Catalyst • Junior Secondary Curriculum • Handbook 2021
Design for Wood
Each and every day we encounter many objects made
from this amazing natural material. No two pieces
of timber are the same, which ensures whatever is
made from wood is unique and individual. In this
course students will focus on using a design process
to create and manufacture a product that meets a
specific brief.
Key topics covered:
• Basic woodworking techniques including cutting
and measuring wood
• Safe use of a range of hand and power tools
• Workshop set-up with safety in mind
• Practical experience in creating a project of their
own design in timber
• Using the design process to research, develop
initial ideas, produce and evaluate designs
Year 8 Design Technology
Select one of the three courses below.
Wind Power
Wind energy is a source of renewable energy. It is
inexhaustible, does not contaminate and reduces
the use of fossil fuels, known to be a cause of global
warming.
Key topics covered:
• Concepts of wind energy
• The use of engineering design principles to create,
construct and test wind powered devices
• Ways of harnessing energy from the wind
• Understanding how a turbine is used to convert
air motion into electricity
• The uses of wind power in a local, national and
international environment
• How solar and wind power are related
• Research into the effects of wind power such as
noise pollution
Smart Fabric Technology
Advancements in technology mean that electronic
circuits can now be incorporated into fabric designs.
In this course students will explore basic circuitry and
how it can be used to enhance fabric based products.
Key topics covered:
• Fabrics products including animal, plant and manmade
• Experimenting with fabrication techniques
• Ethical and moral production and use of fabrics
• Testing properties of different fabrics
• Latest advancements in fabric technology
• Using a design process to create solutions to
challenges and problems
• Project design using a basic electronic circuit
• Creating basic circuits using conductible thread
sewn into projects
Design for Metal
Metals are versatile materials used in a wide range
of appliances, vehicles and machines. In this course
students will use a design process to research and
develop their ideas to produce and evaluate a metals
project.
Key topics covered:
• Basic metal work techniques including cutting,
measuring, joining and finishing
• Using hand tools correctly and safely
• Selecting and using a variety of power tools
correctly
• Workshop set-up with safety in mind
• Introduction to welding, in particular spot welding
For additional details about the Core Technology
courses, please contact:
Mr Marco Tolomei
Head of Design and Technology
(08) 9377 9276
[email protected]
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