Taupaki Technology

Our programme focuses on technology as a human-centered design process. It emphasises innovation, adaptation, and critical and creative thinking. Students will learn to:

• Understand technology: As a tool to address needs and expand human possibilities.

• Develop design skills: Including stakeholder empathy, problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing.

• Master practical skills: Through hands-on projects and skill-sharing.

• Communicate effectively: Using written, oral, and visual means.

• Embrace ethical design: By considering te ao Māori and the New Zealand environment in design.

We use the Stanford Design Thinking Process to guide students through the design cycle.

Year 7 students will be working towards licences for mastery of practical skills alongside making and communicating their outcomes. Year 8 students will expand their knowledge and skills through individual projects within our Country Markets concept.

OUR CLASSES

Food Technology

Food Technology is a way for whakawhanaungatanga and leads to opportunities in a dynamic industry. Food Technology leads to hospitality at high school and a lifelong skill set for contributing to self, whanau, and community. Students will produce a range of recipes during the semesters which will allow them to explore and build new skill sets in the kitchen. The semester courses at Year 7 and 8 allow students to gain experience in these areas:

• Engaging in a design cycle

• Developing the knowledge, understanding, and skills required to design and create solutions for authentic experiences

• Food science 

• Kitchen safety and hygiene

• Nutrition

• Budgeting

• Presentation and hospitality

• Baking

• Making meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks) 

• Regional foods

Design Technology

Design Technology is about developing the skills and knowledge related to designing functional and beautiful products in textiles. Design Technology leads to DVC at high school and futures in the fashion, furnishing, and textile industries. Students will create a range of projects during the semesters which will allow them to explore and build new skill sets in a creative studio. The semester courses at Year 7 and 8 allow students to gain experience in these areas:

• Engaging in a design cycle

• Considering design opportunities for ourselves and others

• Textile selection and properties

• Pattern making

• Fabric prep and finishing

• Textile design

• Construction with fabrics

• Hand and machine sewing

• CAD for 3D printing

Hard Materials Technology

Hard Materials Technology prepares students to enter a local economy that relies heavily on practical skills. Hard Materials Technology leads to industrial design at high school and is also helpful for students interested in construction and architecture. Students will fabricate a range of projects during the semesters which will allow them to explore and build new skill sets in a physical environment. The semester courses at Year 7 and 8 allow students to gain experience in these areas:

• Engaging in a design cycle

• Problem solving and the evaluation of design possibilities 

• Fine motor skills

• Accurate measurement

• Safe use of machinery and tools in a workshop

• Construction techniques

• Understanding the properties of hardware, materials, and equipment

• Economics and application 

• Engineering concepts

Digital Media Technology

Digital Media Technology is a diverse and exciting industry that spans many specialisations. Our course is split into programming and media creation. Digital Media Technology leads to digital technologies such as computer science at high school and is also helpful for students interested in digital art, design, and media studies. Students will undertake a range of activities during the semesters which will allow them to explore and build new skill sets in a digital environment. The semester courses at Year 7 and 8 allow students to gain experience in these areas:

• Engaging in a design cycle

• Understanding contexts and end-users

• Block coding and programming language

• Robotics and electronic control

• Composition and the use of media to tell a story

• Animation, motion graphics, video, and interactive experiences

• Web design and usability

• Working with a range of software

THINGS TO REMEMBER