Faculty Information

TECHNOLOGY and COMPUTING - Structures and Mechanisms

Structures and Mechanisms- Course Information

Year 10:

Bridges (Structures)
As part of the Technology rotation, Year 10 students spend one term following the Technological Practice to create a structure that will span a one metre gap. Students undertake research to gain an understanding of different structures. This creates a firm foundation of knowledge to enable them to design their own bridge. Students work in groups to manufacture their bridges. The structures are then tested to destruction. An evaluation is carried out at the end to see what changes need to be made to improve the design.

Mousetrap Racers (Mechanisms)
The main activity for this module is the design and construction of a mousetrap propelled vehicle that would not use any other form of energy other than the energy from the spring of the mousetrap. The students are made aware of the principals of mechanical movement and the underlying technology that powers all mechanisms. Class teaching involves different types of mechanisms and their usefulness in different circumstances. Topics such as energy, friction, torque, inertia and mechanical advantage are covered in detail that will allow students use the concepts in developing and communicating their own designs. A thorough evaluation of the racer design takes place at the end of the activity where students compete against each other in a race to determine how their designs could be improved.