Design and Technologies / Year 7 and 8 / Knowledge and understanding / Technologies context: Engineering principles and systems

Curriculum content descriptions

analyse how force, motion and energy are used to manipulate and control engineered systems (AC9TDE8K03)

Elaborations
  • analysing how wind turbines harness the motion of propellers to transform wind energy into electricity, and how this energy is used to sustainably power communities classified as remote, such as on Waiben (Thursday Island) in the Torres Strait Islands and in Gawa on Elcho Island near the northern Arnhem Land coast
  • investigating the technologies in a control system for an identified need or opportunity and user, for example the Corriong or Millowl (Phillip Island) penguin weighbridge that enables collection of data about penguin weight and foraging duration
  • experimenting to select the most appropriate principles and systems on which to base design ideas, for example testing structural components for strength
  • testing functionality of an idea by producing prototypes and jigs, including the use of rapid prototyping tools such as 3D printers
  • calculating an engineered system’s outputs, for example speed, brightness of light, volume of sound to determine when the system might fail
  • experimenting with control systems to understand motion, for example programming a microcontroller or an object-based programming application to control a system such as a remote-controlled car or robotic arm
  • investigating components, tools and equipment in terms of force, motion or energy, for example testing the durability of batteries or determining the effective range of wireless devices
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and Creative Thinking
  • Literacy Literacy
ScOT terms

Materials,  Motion,  Mechanical engineering,  Mechanical energy,  Electromagnetism

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Cardboard train wheels | Questacon

In this activity, students explore how train wheels are designed for stability on straight or curved rail. Students make two different models of train wheels from paper cups, observe how they perform on their homemade rail and compare the behaviour of their designs. The activity includes a list of what is required, suggestions ...

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Earthquake shake | Questacon

In this activity, students build a model bridge and test it in earthquake-simulated conditions. They are then challenged to consider the performance of their structure and redesign and build an improved bridge. The activity includes a list of what is required, suggestions of what to do and notice, questions to ask, an explanation ...

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Water turbine | Questacon

In this activity, students make and test a simple water-driven turbine. The activity includes a list of what is required, suggestions of what to do and notice, questions to ask, an explanation for the underlying science of what students observe and suggestions for other related activities.

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Stone Tools

In this series of activities, students investigate stone tools and how the properties of a stone influence its use. Students justify what type of stone would be best for making different tools and analyse how the properties of a stone determine its use, then conduct an investigation to assess the grinding potential of different ...

Downloadable

Construct a lifting machine - teacher resource kit

This activity kit challenges students to design and create a machine to lift a load to a height of at least 50cm. Activities are guided by the design thinking process, and scaffold students to undertake research on the applications of various simple machines, and the combinations of simple machines they might use to help ...

Downloadable

Construct a model house - teacher resource kit

This activity kit challenges students to design and construct a model house, including planning the size, layout and features. Activities are guided by the design thinking process, and scaffold students to undertake research on different building materials and their properties. The guide includes lesson ideas, project instructions ...

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Balancing Sculptures

This activity invites students to explore balance and stability by designing and building whimsical kinetic sculptures that tilt, slide, and suspend everyday objects and ordinary materials into surprising arrangements. Students explore stability, centres of gravity, balanced forces and symmetry through this hands-on, tactile ...

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Industrial design challenge – separating materials lesson

is lesson provides a great introduction to the idea of separating mixtures and enables students to consider separation as a process that operates on macroscopic levels. Students also learn about waste management and recycling processes in Australia. The lesson provides students with an opportunity to engage in hands-on ...

Downloadable

Drone search lesson

This lesson plan introduces students to the practice and applications of using drones to take aerial photographs. Students learn safety procedures regarding the use of drones then capture images of simulated disaster areas. Students observe the use of drones in science and technology-based endeavours and suggest new applications ...

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Stomp Rocket Design Challenge

This resource provides a scaffold for students to complete a design challenge. The design challenge requires students to create a stomp rocket that can travel to a chosen planet in the solar system. The design challenge can also be used to investigate forces and energy. It can be delivered over a number of lessons, or it ...

Interactive

Thermal comfort – sustainability action process (Years 7–10)

This thermal comfort learning resource will guide students through an extended school based investigation. Students will develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate and reflect on their success and their learning.