Materials Design and Technology (Wood or Metal)

James AnthonyDecember 4, 2017June 27, 2019

Materials Design and Technology ATAR is a practical course where students can choose to work with metal or wood in the design and manufacture of products. This is also a course about ideas, innovation and creativity. In order to do these well, students research and test the different characteristics of materials, and use strategies to develop innovative and creative ideas. They develop a clear understanding of the elements and fundamentals of design, and apply a learned design process to successfully develop a product. Students apply skills of management in planning and implementing a process, at the same time as they manipulate tools and machines to produce high-quality products.

Year 11 ATAR Course

Unit 1 - Processes in Design and Manufacturing

Students learn to apply an understanding of the elements and fundamentals of design and consider human factors involved in their projects. They develop creative thinking strategies and work on design projects within specified constraints. Students learn about the classification, structure and properties of a variety of appropriate materials and consider the environmental impacts and issues related to the sustainability and recycling of materials.

Students learn about manufacturing and production skills and techniques. They develop the skills and techniques appropriate to the materials being used and gain practise in planning and managing processes through the production of design project. They learn about industrial risks and management of ongoing evaluation processes within the technology process.

Unit 2 - Working Towards Industry Standards

Students learn about the nature, properties and environmental impacts and issues related to a variety of materials, and explore opportunities for the use of alternative materials and production techniques during the design process. Students apply an understanding of the elements and fundamentals of design, and consider human factors involved in their design projects. They use the technology process, develop creative thinking strategies, and work on design projects within specified constraints.

Students extend their understanding of safe working practices, broad industry standards, historical and contemporary manufacturing techniques, and develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required to manage the processes of designing and manufacturing.

Assessments

Design (Folio)
Production (Project Work)
Response (Analysis, Written Examinations)

Year 12 ATAR Course

Unit 3 - Production for Industry

The focus for this unit is production for industry. Students extend their understanding of design aesthetics through the application of the elements and principles of design and the use of creative and critical thinking strategies. They learn about markets, conventions for design and appropriate industry and safety standards. Students work with an open and self-directed design brief to design and manage a project. They extend their understanding of a range of materials through the research and testing of the properties of a wider range of materials.

Students develop competence with production processes and learn to manage projects to determined specifications. Students identify and manage risks, and select and use industry appropriate methods for communicating ideas and design development.

Unit 4 - Innovation and the Future

Students investigate and analyse historical and contemporary design issues which have been influenced by cultural and social factors. In doing so, they will also examine examples of experimental and conceptual products. Students extend their understanding of design aesthetics by using creative and critical thinking strategies. They critically examine current products and explore how emerging materials and technologies may affect, and be incorporated into, the design and development of future products.

Students incorporate a wide range of design concepts related to the technology process, and apply sophisticated conceptualisation skills and production processes to realising design ideas that reflect their personal influences and style.

Assessments

Design (Folio)
Production (Project Work)
Response (Analysis, Written Examinations)

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