Technology and Applied Studies

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

2021 was an extremely eventful year in Design and Technology at Pymble! Students were given a range of exciting opportunities to harness their creativity and ability to innovate. Students engaged with the world around them not only to test, but to tear down the boundaries in order to design, evaluate and create.

Year 7

Students learned how to navigate a range of materials, tools and processes to produce their own designs. In their game design unit, Year 7 used online software to create video games. Students completed the Hot Wheels unit and constructed aerodynamic cars to race. Lily Still said that her “favourite project was the online version of hot wheels, as I loved working at my own pace”. The girls demonstrated their resilience, taking the COVID-19 setback in their stride by transferring their skills into a digital space using CAD software Onshape. Year 7 built their foundational knowledge and skills that will greatly assist them in their design endeavours in the future.

Clio Moran, Year 10

Year 9

During the year, Year 9 engaged with and deepened their understanding of the design process through their jewellery design and packaging and promotion units. Practical steps involving various tools and machinery, including laser cutters, three-dimensional printers, resin moulding and metal work were taken by students to create jewellery pieces that reflected a particular aesthetic. Olivia Clifford enjoyed documenting her creative process in her first comprehensive portfolio, saying that she loved to “delve into the design process and showcase each small detail of my designs”.

Yvette Volk, Year 9

Year 10

Year 10 students completed the Illumination and Playlist unit. The Illumination project revolved around designing lighting solutions for a particular target market. Jocelyn Mar’s project aimed to assist children with light sensitivities. She used acrylic and a range of other materials to create a snail-shaped night light that was “coded so that the light would grow inversely bright as the sun went down during the day”. Year 10 demonstrated flexibility during the lockdown by adapting the construction of wooden headphones in Playlist to an at-home unit. The designs were greatly innovative, and students should be proud of what they achieved.

Year 11

Year 11 had a great year completing their architecture and Minor Major unit. The heavily practical architecture unit allowed for the girls to extend their skills and explore new areas of design. The Minor Major unit was a favourite in Year 11, as they were able to explore areas of passion. From bridges for wildlife, to medical containers for children, Year 11 students were challenged to critically evaluate and develop relevant, unique and practical designs.

Year 12

Throughout 2021, the Year 12 girls completed their Major Design Projects for their HSC. These projects allowed students to showcase skills that they had acquired throughout their high school experience, and their hard work to develop and refine them. The projects were of an amazing quality and provided solutions to problems on individual, local and global scales. The products were artfully developed, evaluated and refined, and Year 12 should be thrilled at the quality of their designs. Nina Breckenridge,

Captain of Design and Technology