This combined Technology Grades 7–9 course follows the practical design and engineering principles of the South African CAPS curriculum. Learners use the technological process: investigate, design, make, evaluate and communicate.
Haley will study structures, forces, loads, tension, compression, triangulation and technical drawing. Mechanical systems include levers, gears, pulleys, cams, cranks and mechanical advantage. He will also investigate wood, metals, plastics, material properties, processing, joining, recycling and sustainability.
Electrical topics include low-voltage circuits, switches, LEDs, resistors, electromagnets and simple control systems. Approximately half the course is practical project work.
Major projects include designing a bridge, constructing a mechanical device, creating a low-voltage electrical product and completing a Smart Eco House capstone. Assessment considers research, design quality, construction, testing, improvement and presentation.
This remains one combined course, not three separate courses.
Modules:
- The technological design process
- Structures, forces and loads
- Strengthening and triangulation
- Technical drawing
- Levers and mechanical advantage
- Gears and pulleys
- Cams and cranks
- Material properties
- Processing wood, metal and plastics
- Joining and finishing materials
- Electrical circuits
- Switches, LEDs and resistors
- Electromagnets
- Control systems
- Environmental and social impact
- Integrated engineering design
Projects:
- Model bridge
- Mechanical toy or lifting machine
- Low-voltage electrical product
- Smart Eco House capstone