Year 9 Materials Technology: Product Design

WHAT THE COURSE WILL COVER:

Students will use a shortened form of the design process to design and make a practical project.  Many will undertake a second self-selected project on completion of the first.  Through this they will develop skills in:

• Producing and developing ideas
• Problem solving and independence
• Working with hand tools and machines
• Self-management and basic planning of their own project

Traditional and new technologies (CAD and CAM) will be used and students will have access to our well-equipped and resourced workshops.

METHODS OF LEARNING:

A wide variety of activities allow students to develop knowledge in this subject area.  Some written work and basic presentation work is covered as well as various forms of modelling.  These all allow students to communicate and develop their own ideas and then manufacture them in our workshops.  The focus is very much on allowing students to follow themes and develop their own ideas based on these.

WHERE DOES THE SUBJECT LEAD?

The subject prepares students for Year 10 MTM and 10 MTW courses and beyond. At senior level students will have a choice of following Achievement Standard based courses or Industry Standards based courses. At Year 12 we also offer an innovative and successful Trades Experience course that is designed to give students an understanding of what is involved in a huge range of trades. They are placed in a range of businesses throughout the year with many being offered an apprenticeship as a result of these placements.