Design and Technology
Diversity in Thinking
The return to fulltime learning at School this year has been welcomed by the students and staff within the Design and Technology Department. Engaging students in designing and developing their ideas on paper and through the use of computer applications provides some clarity, however nothing is quite like the testing and prototyping of physical materials to manifest the final solution. This enables students to get a better sense of size and proportion, of how they will interact with the product and how the product will best fulfil its intended purpose. This Semester, four classes in Year 9 Design and Technology have been producing bird habitats for their local area. In this new unit of work, students have investigated the local flora and fauna and the needs of particular bird species. It has fostered quite a deal of diversity in thinking and the students have enjoyed using the tools and machines to construct their solutions. It will be interesting to hear back the reports on how well the local birds take to the habitats that they have constructed and some photos to verify this will be used to validate their designs.
22 • The Barker • Issue 135 • Winter 2022
Felix Larkin’s bird habitat is influenced by the architect - Luis Barragan. He is well known for his use of colour, light, shadow, form and texture. His designs include a water feature. The design consists of a water run on the roof that directs rain water into a small pool surrounding the bird house. It is designed for a Blue Fairy Wren bird. Felixt has already placed the bird house on the pole that will be inserted into the ground.
