Design and Technologies - Curriculum

View

Show Level descriptions Content descriptions Achievement standards

Levels 7 and 8

Levels 7 and 8 Description

In Levels 7 and 8, students investigate and select from a range of technologies. They consider the ways characteristics and properties of technologies can be combined to create designed solutions to problems for individuals and the community, considering society and ethics, and economic, environmental and social sustainability factors. Students use creativity, innovation and enterprise skills...

Levels 7 and 8 Content Descriptions

Technologies Contexts

Engineering principles and systems Elaborations

Analyse how motion, force and energy are used to manipulate and control electromechanical systems when creating simple, engineered solutions (VCDSTC045)
1. investigating influences impacting on manufactured products and processes such as historical developments, society, new materials, control systems and biomimicry, for example the development of velcro
2. experimenting to select the most appropriate principles and systems on which to base design ideas, for example structural components to be tested for strength
3. calculating an engineered system’s outputs, for example speed, brightness of light, volume of sound
4. producing prototypes and jigs to test functionality, including the use of rapid prototyping tools such as 3D printers
5. using code to control systems, for example code to program a microcontroller or a simple, object-based coding application to program a system such as a remote-controlled car or simple robotic arm
6. investigating components, tools and equipment for example testing the durability of batteries, determining the effective range of wireless devices

Food and fibre production Elaborations

Analyse how food and fibre are produced when creating managed environments and how these can become more sustainable (VCDSTC046)
1. comparing land and water management methods in contemporary Australian food and fibre production with traditional Aboriginal systems and countries of Asia, for example minimum-tillage cropping, water-efficient irrigation
2. investigating the management of plant and animal growth through natural means and with the use of chemical products like herbicides and medicines when producing food and fibre products
3. recognising the need to increase food production using cost efficient, ethical and sustainable production techniques
4. describing physical and chemical characteristics of soil and their effects on plant growth when producing food and fibre products
5. investigating different animal feeding strategies such as grazing and supplementary feeding, and their effects on product quality, for example meat tenderness, wool fibre diameter (micron), milk fat and protein content when producing food and fibre products
6. recognising the importance of food and fibre production to Australia’s food security and economy including exports and imports to and from Asia when critiquing and exploring food and fibre production

Food specialisations Elaborations

Analyse how characteristics and properties of food determine preparation techniques and presentation when creating solutions for healthy eating (VCDSTC047)
1. examining the relationship between food preparation techniques and the impact on nutrient value, for example steaming or frying vegetables
2. investigating how a recipe can be modified to enhance nutrient benefits, and justifying decisions, for example by replacing animal fats with vegetable fats
3. analysing food preparation techniques used in different cultures including those from the Asia region and the impact of these on nutrient retention, aesthetics, taste and palatability, for example stir-frying or steaming
4. explaining how food preparation techniques impact on the sensory properties (flavour, appearance, texture, aroma) of food, for example the browning of cut fruit, the absorption of water when cooking rice

Materials and technologies specialisations Elaborations

Analyse ways to create designed solutions through selecting and combining characteristics and properties of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment (VCDSTC048)
1. investigating aspects of technologies specialisations, for example in architecture, critiquing the design of an existing building to identify features of passive design or in fashion, evaluating the sustainability of different fibres
2. investigating and selecting from a broad range of technologies − materials, systems, components, tools and equipment − when designing for a range of technologies contexts
3. considering the ways in which the characteristics and properties of technologies will impact on designed solutions, for example the choice of building materials and housing design in Australia and the countries of Asia; the properties of textile fibres and fabrics determine end use
4. considering safe work practices, for example producing a safety information video that details risk management practices for using a piece of equipment in the classroom or within a community
5. evaluating designed solutions for the individual and the community considering ethics and social factors, for example a short video encouraging individuals to increase their use of public transport in the local area
6. evaluating environments that have been designed in consultation with community groups, for example a bush tucker community garden developed in consultation with local Elders

Levels 7 and 8 Achievement Standard

By the end of Level 8 students explain factors that influence the design of solutions to meet present and future needs. They explain the contribution of design and technology innovations and enterprise to society. Students explain how the features of technologies impact on designed solutions and influence design decisions for each of the prescribed technologies contexts.

Students create designed solutions for each of the prescribed technologies contexts based on an evaluation of needs or opportunities. They develop criteria for success, including sustainability considerations, and use these to judge the suitability of their ideas and designed solutions and processes. They create and adapt design ideas, make considered decisions and communicate to different audiences using appropriate technical terms and a range of technologies and graphical representation techniques. Students apply project management skills to document and use project plans to manage production processes. They independently and safely produce effective designed solutions for the intended purpose.