DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

Subject Department

	Mr Michele Cassar Head of Department michele.cassar@ilearn.edu.mt
	Mr Ryan Hili Teacher ryan.hili.2@ilearn.edu.mt
	Ms Edera Gail Said Teacher edera.gail.said@ilearn.edu.mt

Subject Information

General introduction to the subject:
D&T is a STEM subject that focuses on applied technology through the design of physical solutions for human needs, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Learning is done through research about technology and human needs, solving design problems, proposing a technical solution through sketches, and building prototypes. Students apply their knowledge and skills by constructing solutions in a workshop environment and critically evaluating each-other’s work, self-development, and product testing.

Topics studied:
Students will learn the Design Aspects topics through projects in the Technology Aspects topics, shown below.
• Design Aspect
• Technology Aspect
• Health and Safety within the above aspects.

Class activities involved:
• Practical tasks to explore technological principles.
• Short Design and make projects with electronics, materials, graphics, product design, 3D printing and CAD CAM.
• Writing Design folio documentation.
• SEC final iterative project in year 10 and 11. (Proposal and Prototype)
• All sessions are held in a D&T Lab where students learn by doing.
• All project technical construction is done at school, using materials and equipment provided.

Homework assigned:
Most projects require students to research project information at home, design solutions through sketches, using CAD software, see related videos, compiling a design folio.

Assessment given:
In D&T students are assessed continuously through Design and Make projects and also through a final examination. An iterative Design Project is assigned to form part of the MATSEC assessment. Half yearly exam is not done in Year 7 and 8, while in year 9, 10, 11 this is optional for each school. Thus, an ongoing component is always done through design and make projects, which is also used as part of the annual exam assessment.

Skills acquired while studying the subject:
• Thinking skills, problem solving, entrepreneurship
• Technical skills in applying project work.
• Communication skills in presenting ideas
• Research skills, etc.

Skills required to study the subject:
• At year 7, students need to have a basic literacy and numeracy level.
• At year 9 students need to have the basic course covered in year 7 and 8 (offered to all learners) as a prerequisite.
• At year 10 students need to be creative and propose an idea of their own for the Sec proposal project.
• Any learner with any learning or physical disability may still follow this course with success as long as they respect
health and safety rules in the labs.

This subject can lead you to the following Career Paths:
Architect
Designer (Product, Interior, Graphic)
Technologist/Technician (Medical Electronics, Robotics & Aviation/Aircraft sevicing)
Skilled Person (Mechanic, Carpenter, Plastics Industries, Electrician, Maintenance)
Engineer
D&T Teacher
Technology Entrepreneur
CAD-CAM, CNC Operator