Technological and applied studies (TAS) is mandatory for all students in Year 7 and 8. Students can also select from a range of elective TAS subjects.
In TAS, students develop knowledge, understanding and skills through a design and production process using a range of tools, materials and techniques in theory and practical lessons.
The continuum of technology learning is:
- mandated from Kindergarten to Year 8 through Science and Technology K-6 and Technology Mandatory Years 7-8 syllabuses
- based on students becoming increasingly sophisticated in their ability to apply knowledge, skills and understanding to design and produce solutions
- optional for student specialisation in high school through a range of syllabuses addressing particular technologies and aspects of design.
Available courses include:
- Technology Mandatory Years 7-8
- Agricultural Technology Years 7-10
- Design and Technology Years 7-10
- Food Technology Years 7-10
- Graphics Technology Years 7-10
- Industrial Technology Years 7-10
- Information and Software Technology Years 7-10
- Textiles Technology Years 7-10
- Agriculture Stage 6
- Design and Technology Stage 6
- Engineering Studies Stage 6
- Food Technology Stage 6
- Industrial Technology Stage 6
- Information Processes and Technology Stage 6
- Software Design and Development Stage 6
- Textiles and Design Stage 6.
Curriculum outline
Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) covers a wide range of practical, exciting and fun courses that capture the imagination of students and opens up the possibilities of creativity, knowledge and making a better future. TAS aims to build useful skills and capability in students and teaches theory in a meaningful way that students can easily relate to.
Curriculum options
Year 7 and year 8:
TAS is mandatory from year 7 to 8 through the Technology (Mandatory) subject. Students complete six thirteen week units over the period rotating between different disciplines available to pursue further from years 9 to 12 as electives. The six units cover broadly the three areas of study including of Products, Information and Communication, and Build Environments. These areas of study revolve around projects and accompanying folios documenting the project's development. Projects on rotation include:
- Bottle Rockets (Engineering – Products)
- Device Stand (Timber – Products)
- Graphics and Designers (Information Technology – Information and Communication)
- Grow It (Agriculture – Products)
- Food from All Nations (Food Technology – Products)
- My Restaurant Rules (Graphics Technology – Built Environments)
- Eco lamp (Electronics – Products)
- Spice to See You (Metals – Products)
Year 9/10:
Electives available for selection at the end of Year 8 for Years 9 and 10 build on knowledge and experience gained in Technology (Mandatory). Current subjects on offer include:
- Food Technology (learning about food and how to prepare and cook it using our commercial kitchen)
- Agricultural Technology (learning about food and fibre production using the school farm)
- Information and Software Technology (learning about computers and how they work, and how to use a range of software packages, using our computer laboratories)
- Graphics Technologies (learning how to draw using traditional hand tools and CAD software and how to 3D print objects using our 3D printer)
- Industrial Technology – Engineering (learning about different engineering disciplines using our workshops)
- Industrial Technology – Electronics (learning how to make electronic circuits and how they work using our workshops)
- Industrial Technology – Timber (learning how to make products out of timber using our timber workshops)
- Industrial Technology – Metals (learning how to make products out of metal using our metal workshop)
Preliminary/HSC:
Electives available for selection at the end of Year 10 for the HSC build on knowledge and experience gained from years 7 to 10. Current subjects on offer include:
- Food Technology (learning about food and nutrition as well as the Australian Food Industry)
- Engineering Studies (learning about different engineering disciplines and how to apply engineering principles to solve problems)
- Industrial Technology – Timber (learning about woodworking processes with a major design project completed in year 12 led, managed and financed by the student)
- Industrial Technology – Multimedia (learning how to make multimedia products using a range of different types of software packages including a major design project in year 12)
- Information Processes and Technology (learning how information is created, transferred and processed on computers)
- Software Design and Development (learning how software is created on computers to solve problems)