Observatory Hill Environmental Education Centre

Leading environmental education to empower learners for a sustainable future.

Telephone02 9247 7321

Emailobservhill-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

S5- Material Technologies - Graphics

Material Technologies – Graphics is a program that supports the Stage 4 Technology (Mandatory) Syllabus. The program supports a design project focusing on using graphics and multimedia to develop a design solution for the redevelopment of a derelict building and repurpose it for a new community use. The program emphasises a number of design specialisations including Architectural Design, Environmental Design, Interior Design and Landscape Design.

Students will learn about factors influencing design in the built environment like function, aesthetics, safety, sustainability, and socio-cultural factors, and will visit two adaptively reused heritage buildings to see how they have been retrofitted for new commercial uses. They will use this information to address a design brief to create a design concept for the adaptive reuse of a decayed building In Millers Point. The brief requires them to generate and communicate creative design ideas and solutions including a plan for the site using CAD.

Environmentally sustainable design features and practices will be a key focus area.

Location

The Rocks and Millers Point. Download the Excursion Map or view the Interactive Google map with approximate walking route, meeting location and pick up location. 

Key syllabus outcomes

Students will:

  • describe factors influencing design in the built environment
  • plan and manage the production of a design solution 
  • apply design processes that respond to needs and opportunities in a design project
  • generate and communicate creative design ideas and solutions
  • explain how people in technology related professions contribute to society now and into the future

Integrating the ‘Sustainability’ Cross Curriculum Priority is a feature of the program.

Key skills outcomes

Students will:

  • apply design processes that respond to needs and opportunities in each design project
  • generate and communicate creative ideas and solutions.
  • select and use techniques appropriate for the purpose of a design project.
  • use computer aided drawing in the development of the design project.
  • select and use software for specific purposes in a design project.
  • communicate creative design ideas and solutions.
  • identify and explain ethical, social, environmental and sustainability considerations related to design projects.

Student pre-visit and follow-up activities

Successful fieldwork visits have direct links to current classroom learning. Pre-visit activities carried out prior to the excursion will help students better understand their excursion content and provide connectedness and relevance to classroom learning.

The following tasks, together with fieldwork, will help students answer the fieldwork question

Download the Student Previsit and Follow up Activity worksheet

On the day activities

During the full day fieldwork excursion, students will:

  • Visit two adaptively reused heritage buildings and identify design considerations like safety, aesthetics, culture, functionality and sustainability.
  • Study the location of the proposed design project in Millers Point to identify a quality solution that responds to identified needs and opportunities in the area.
  • View a presentation on sustainable building design and watch a demonstration of a sustainable house model
  • Develop a concept plan to address a design brief
  • Use a Home Design app on iPads to develop 2D and 3D models of their designs or begin a template Sketch-up plan of the building for completion back at school.

A prize will be awarded to the best design per school.

Cost 

  • Government Schools: $15 per student  (GST Free)
  • Non-Government Schools: $25 per student (GST free). Minimum cost of $600.

Excursion Program

Download the Excursion outline to help with your excursion planning

Risk Assessment

Download the Risk Assessment Plan to help with your excursion planning

Program Flyer

Download the Program Flyer