ACADEMIC

Our Technology learning area gives students an opportunity to learn skills they’ll need to solve real-world problems. Whether it is using machinery and tools to create a product, developing and designing a website, or using graphics to create an original design and 3D model, the skills students learn can be used in the real world. Here’s a taste of some of the amazing work our students have been doing this term.

Building sheds 

Senior students who study our Level 3 Woodwork class are making sheds again this year. As their starter project, they made their very own sawhorse which they can use on many future projects. Keep an eye out on the progress of the sheds as you will be able to see them as you go past the school. Not only is the building of the sheds a valuable learning experience for our students, once completed, we offer the sheds for sale at the cost of the materials and if anyone would like to purchase one, they can be pre-ordered.

Creating a rocket stove 

Using skills such as marking out, welding, grinding, metal lathe, and wood turning, our Level 2 Mechanical Engineering students are designing and creating a rocket stove. Thank you to Bidford for providing some bacon for students to use in trialling the rocket stove. We really do appreciate the support of our community in helping us deliver real-life learning in our workshops.

Collaborating to map environmental changes

We are undertaking an exciting project involving an amazing collaboration among scientists, several universities, and Mount Aspiring College. Offering a unique experience for our Year 13 students, the project involves students working with local scientists to utilise GPS data in the mapping of environmental changes within the Wānaka landscape, including snow accumulation, lake levels, and soil moisture.

Producing an authentic chocolate packaging product 

Our Year 7 students have been exploring computer numerical control (cnc) wood cutting to develop an authentic chocolate packaging product. We are very grateful to the Director of Makana handmade chocolates, based in Kerikeri, for being our ‘authentic stakeholder’ for this project.

Students have had the chance to taste Makana handmade chocolates in class (part of the technology process obviously!) and are now designing a unit to store and transport by post a delicious chocolate that will be sent to the Director of Makana Chocolates for his 'top pick' selection. We haven't forgotten about the caregivers in this project: the family of the director's top pick will have some chocolates sent to their home for all the family to enjoy.

Students have crafted their designs from acrylic, wood, cardboard, paper with improvements being made at each iteration. Based on the packaging designer's advice, students have begun exploring messages and using different font types on the exterior of the box, incorporating bilingual messages that our Māori teacher is trialling with her language students. Students have also used their creations to celebrate special days, such as giving packaged chocolates to their female teachers for International Women's Day. The best packaging product design will be entered into an authentic Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) competition where the winners receive $12,000!