Techtalk t2 2016

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Term 2, 2016

TECHtalk

We l c o m e t o t h e TA S / Te c h n o l o g i e s e-N ew sl ett er The TECHTalk e-Newsletter is designed to support teachers of all TAS/Technology subjects Years 7—12.

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2016

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Inside this issue Laser Engravers Laser Engraver Safety Laser FAQs Biosecurity and feed storage Agriculture and Food Week STEM Showcase Rural and Remote Conference Updated anaphylaxis resource TAS Leadership Network Archibull Competition Contacts

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Term 2, 2016 I have devoted a few pages in this issue to the use of laser engravers. I have used laser engravers in schools and have found them extremely valuable in teaching across a range of TAS subjects. Laser engravers have the advantage of a higher throughput than 3D printers, that can take hours to produce even simple projects. It is also quite easy for students to develop basic skills, with only a couple of lessons needed to produce their first simple product. Once students have the basics, they are eager to design more complex projects and can easily test and modify their products due to the fast and economical production process.

Unfortunately laser engravers are an expensive investment and a few schools have purchased machines that are not on the Department contract. This poses a significant safety risk and exposes the teachers and principal to legal action and prosecution in the event of an injury.

Please read this article thoroughly so you don’t put yourself or your students at risk.

There are a number of opportunities coming up, including the STEM showcase. The showcase will feature the STEM modules developed in the schools that participated in the Stage 4 integrated STEM project. Register early as it will be open to all educational sectors and there are limited places. The Rural and Remote Conference 2016, is also in week four this term and is a great way for those schools outside the Sydney metropolitan area to access some great PL. Enjoy Term 2. I will hopefully see you at one of the events, meetings or conferences this year.

Dan Rytmeister TAS Advisor

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2016

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LASER ENGRAVERS You have probably heard about laser engravers and how much they can enhance teaching in TAS and other subjects. Unfortunately they are a big expense for a school and many are weighing up the benefits compared to the cost. This article will give a few examples of how they are used in schools and discuss the advantages of using Laser Technology in your school. The second part of this article refers to the safety aspects of laser engravers and is a MUST READ if you are considering a purchase.

What do they do?

Laser engravers use a high powered laser in an enclosed cabinet to cut and engrave materials. Designs can be created on a computer in a graphics program and “printed� to the laser engraver. Cutting and engraving is controlled by line thickness and colour using both raster and vector graphics.

Are they safe?

With proper training, maintenance and supervision, the laser engravers on the Department Machine Tools Contract are quite safe. These are good quality machines that have quality interlocks and screening that prevent exposure to laser radiation. The biggest risks on these machines are fire and fumes. Fumes can be managed with suitable ventilation or filtering and by ensuring particular materials are not used. The risk of fire is reduced through appropriate training in how to avoid the situation and how to manage a fire if it starts in the machine.

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2016

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Who can use it?

Equipment Safety in Schools indicates that students Year 7 and upwards can use the machine after completing a safety test. Controls vary slightly as students get older.

What can I do with it?

Laser engravers have applications in all TAS subject areas as well as applications in other KLAs. Here are some examples: Technology Mandatory: Students could start with a simple acrylic key tag using graphics downloaded from the internet.

Students then design their own graphics and shapes and complete other design challenges.

Food: design your own food moulds or engrave food such as chocolate and fruit.

Textiles: Cutting out patterns and “engraving” images in denim. Create buttons and other embellishments.

Industrial Technology: Add decorations by engraving materials or cut veneers to intricate shapes for marquetry.

Graphics: bring designs and models to life to test developments by cutting shapes in paper or acrylic.

There are many websites with project ideas. Here are a couple of examples: http://www.wired.com/2013/02/10-laser-cutterprojects/ http://www.hotpopfactory.com/blog/

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2016

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LASER ENGRAVER SAFETY PLEASE READ THIS SECTION BEFORE PURCHASING A LASER ENGRAVER. Laser engravers can be very dangerous. The Asset Management Directorate has risk assessed a number of Laser Engraving machines and has approved four machines for use in schools. The process of selecting equipment for the contract takes into account the equipment’s:  Safety  Quality  Provision of training and ongoing support  Availability of maintenance and parts SCHOOLS ARE ONLY PERMITTED TO PURCHASE LASER ENGRAVERS FROM THE DoE CONTRACT SUPPLIER. Principals were issued the memorandum DN/14/00109 in November 2014 reminding them of their responsibility. Specifically, “Principals are advised that use of this contract is mandated and is specifically excluded from alternative methods of procurement including the Local Schools, Local Decisions Policy purchasing arrangements “.

THE POLICY PROTECTS YOU Many of the cheaper engravers available on the market do not meet the safety and quality requirements of the Department. The use of these machines in schools increases the risk and puts you and your principal at risk of legal action and prosecution in the event of an injury. Following the DoE policy will protect you in the event of injury.

Advice on the safe use of Laser Engravers in schools is provided in Equipment Safety In Schools and this advice must be followed.

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2016

LASER FAQs 6

Q. I saw a laser engraver that looks like the contract one but is a lot cheaper. Can I buy it?

A. No. Memorandum DN/14/00109 is a reminder to Principals that they can only buy this type of equipment from the contract. Requests to purchase equipment that is not on contract are unlikely to be approved. Generally by the time the cheaper model is risk assessed, modified and training is provided it can end up costing more.

Q. I saw a laser that had a pass through door so you could engrave larger items. Can I buy it?

A. No. Once the enclosure is opened it becomes a class 4 laser and can easily leak radiation that could cause an injury. Class 4 lasers have been banned in Department schools due to the significantly higher risk.

Q. What can I cut and engrave with the laser?

A. The 30W laser can cut paper, fabrics, leather. It can also cut wood up to 7.5mm and acrylic up to 11mm. The 50W model can cut wood up to 9.5mm and acrylic up to 13mm. Materials such as PVC emit toxic and corrosive gasses and must not be used. This will be covered in the training provided when you purchase the machine.

The school approved machines will not cut metals but can engrave the anodising on aluminium.

Q. How easy is it to use the laser engraver?

A. The laser engraver is operated like a printer from a computer except there are elements in the image that control cutting or engraving. Generally a year 7 class can produce a simple item within a few of lessons.

Q. How fast do they operate?

A. Compared to a 3D printer, they are very fast. Small items such as a key tag could take a minute or two and it is easy to have multiple small projects in the machine at a time. More complex projects can take longer but generally the throughput is much higher than a 3D printer.

Q. What are the dangers of laser engravers?

A. Exposure to laser radiation, exposure to fumes and the risk of fire.

Radiation: The maximum power of lasers permitted in DoE schools is 50W. Any radiation that leaks from the cabinet can cause burns and permanent damage to eyes. Radiation can escape from cabinets through reflection, inadequate filtering on covers, poor quality interlocks (switches) or interlocks that can be easily defeated. The engravers on the Department contract have been assessed for their quality and reliability.

Fumes: the fumes from cutting and engraving operations can be toxic. Adequate extraction and ventilation or filtering is required.

Fire: There is always the risk of a fire starting inside the machine. The training provided includes procedures to follow that minimise the risk in the event of a fire. Laser engravers require supervision while operating.

Q. What do I need to consider when installing a Laser Engraver?

A. The machine needs to be located near an external wall or window that will allow fixed ducting to vent fumes safely away from where people could be exposed. If this is not possible you can purchase a filtration unit but these are expensive to maintain. The machine also requires a power outlet with keyed isolation to prevent unauthorised access.

Q. What are the ongoing maintenance and costs?

A. You need to keep the mirrors and lenses clean. These should be cleaned at least once a week and takes around 3 minutes. Ongoing expenses include:  Annual service to check operation and focus, usually below $500.  The laser unit may need a service after 3-5 years. This could be $3000.  If reflective mirrors and lenses go missing or are damaged they cost several hundred dollars to replace. © State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2016

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BIOSECURITY and FEED STORAGE What are the issues?

Ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats cannot have feed that could contains Restricted Animal Material (RAM). Poultry feed and cattle feed can look very similar but it is common to find RAM in poultry feed. The consumption of RAM by ruminants can lead to mad cow disease and is in breach of the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) and Biosecurity legislation.

Schools need to take measures to ensure food containing RAM is not accidently fed to ruminants. This can occur if students use the wrong feeds or there is cross contamination between storage containers.

Some schools are only purchasing poultry feed that does not contain RAM but this is not common commercial practice and takes away an opportunity to educate students about the importance of feed separation.

Some schools have been audited by MLA for compliance RAM (Restricted Animal Material) is: with LPA and were directed to improve their feed … meat, meat and bone meal, blood meal, poulstorage facilities. The Department sought clarification try offal meal, feather meal, fishmeal or any othfrom AUS-MEAT Limited and received the following er animal; meals or manure. advice: It does not include: … tallow, gelatine, milk and milk products.

“Schools need to have a storage system that demonstrates and prevents feed types becoming mixed/ combined so that there is no chance animals are fed the wrong feed type that can lead to a potential food safety/biosecurity situation”.

What should schools do?     

Ensure feeds are clearly labelled and separated in such a way that cross contamination cannot occur when filling bins.

Educate students and staff about the risk of mixing feeds and the importance of separation.

Keep a record of feed batch numbers to ensure traceability.

Store feed in dry, vermin proof containers.

Do not give food scraps to ruminants.

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2016

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Agriculture and Food Week

Agriculture and Food Week is a recommendation of the Review into Agricultural Education and Training in NSW. The aim of Agriculture and Food Week is to celebrate and appreciate the roles agriculture and food make to the health, wealth and wellbeing of society.

The site has been designed to stimulate teaching and learning ideas that can engage students and help them develop an interest in the origins of food.

Embedding these ideas into integrated learning activities may provide opportunities for practical and authentic life-long learning for students.

Both the primary and secondary sections contain drop down menus for each of the learning areas.

Teachers are encouraged to make comment about the existing stimulus ideas and contribute their own ideas. It is envisaged that this site will further develop to become a comprehensive collection of teaching and learning strategies over time.

http://www.learning.schools.nsw.edu.au/foodagweek/

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2016

NSW Department of Education

Secondary Schools STEM Showcase Wednesday 22 June at the Hilton Sydney The NSW Department of Education Secondary Schools STEM Showcase will be held on Wednesday 22 June at the Hilton Sydney.

During 2015, 28 schools participated in the Stage 4 Integrated STEM Project.

Each of these schools developed an individual, interdisciplinary approach to teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Since then, a further eight schools have been selected to work as Action Schools in STEM Education. This conference will showcase the programs developed by the project schools. The Showcase aims to inspire school leaders and teachers, enhance STEM pedagogy and demonstrate innovative programs for school communities.

We look forward to seeing you and your school team at the NSW Department of Education Secondary Schools STEM Showcase.

Registration for the conference is via the link

https://www.regodirect.com.au/stemshowcase/.

This event has been communicated in SchoolBiz where further information can be found.

Registrations are now open and will close Wednesday 15 June.

For further inquiries contact: STEM@det.nsw.edu.au

REGISTRATIONS OPEN Seize the opportunities and the possibilities and attend the

RURAL AND REMOTE CONFERENCE 2016 Tuesday 17 May – Wednesday 18 May, 2016 Mt Panorama Motor Racing Circuit, Bathurst

This conference aims to: •

Share innovative pedagogies

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Demonstrate new and emerging technologies

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Explore the impact of current and imminent educational reforms

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Celebrate educational transformation

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Deliver engaging learning through ‘hands-on’ experiences

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Showcase local and international research

For further information or to register, please visit www.rde.nsw.edu.au/randrconf2016/ Registrations close 11 May 2016

….…. Building bridges, building futures ……….

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Updated anaphylaxis resource Food Preparation and Sharing – A student resource Annual face to face anaphylaxis training is now mandatory in all schools and generally TAS faculties have been very compliant with the new policies regarding the use of nuts and nut products in school activities.

While we can control what teachers use in class and in extracurricular activities, we cannot necessarily control what food students bring to school.

An online resource designed to educate students about the risks of anaphylaxis was developed in 2012. The Department of Education updated this resource to include: 

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removal of flash content and conversion to html 5 to ensure compatibility with current devices and browsers including IOS systems. restoration of broken links.

Teachers use the Anaphylaxis - Food Preparation and sharing resource with classes to help students understand anaphylaxis, learn how to identify symptoms of an attack and learn what to do if one of their friends has a reaction. It is particularly useful in food preparation areas and schools where there are known anaphylactic students.

I highly recommend the use of this resource with your students.

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2016

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TAS Leadership Network

EO O PE I N

Do you need some advice or support with your teaching?

The TAS Leadership Network is a group of experienced teachers advising and mentoring other DoE TAS teachers statewide.

If you are a teacher and would like some advice or mentoring, please complete the EOI and you will be linked with one of our TAS leaders.

The TAS leaders have undergone an induction and ongoing training to ensure they provide advice that is consistent with DoE policies. They have experience in the full range of TAS subjects including Agriculture, Textiles, Food, Industrial Technology, Engineering, Design and Technology, Graphics and Computing subjects.

When you complete the EOI you will be asked which subjects you are teaching and the areas of support you are seeking. You will then be matched up to the most appropriate leader for support.

How to apply:  discuss with your supervisor and

principal  complete the EOI online.

Teacher EOI https://goo.gl/IYodZI

Other opportunities for participants: In Semester 2 there will be online master classes in particular subjects.

These will be open to all teachers in the TAS Leadership Network.

© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2016

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Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2016

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We would love you to join us on our Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/technologies.curriculum

TAS/Technologies curriculum contact: Dan Rytmeister TAS Advisor Learning and Teaching NSW Department of Education Level 3, 1 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, 2010, NSW T: (02) 9266 8514

dan.rytmeister@det.nsw.edu.au If you would like to be added to our TAS/Technology communication network please send me your details.

If you do not want to receive future communications please remove me from communication network If you have feedback or suggestions for professional development or future articles please send me an email.

The non-DoE products and events listed in this e-Newsletter are to be used at the reader’s discretion. The inclusion of product and event information is not an endorsement by the Department.

Š State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2016