Technology

There are three technology subjects run as part of our specialist rotations:

  • STEAM

  • Food Technology

  • Digital Design and Technology

Year 7 students spend half a term in each technology.

Year 8 students choose 4 subjects for the year. They choose from the technology and specialist areas. In each subject area, they have 15 lessons.

Introduction of Technology Subjects

STEAM

  • STEAM provides rich learning opportunities to be creative, work with innovative technology and design solutions that have the potential to make a difference in the real world. 

    Students will begin with a challenge and follow the ‘Engineering Design Process’ to imagine, design, and create a prototype or outcome — they become real inventors and problem-solvers!

    Throughout STEAM, students:

    • learn to fly drones, programme robots, use virtual reality (VR) to explore real-world issues, and use Tinkercad to design and 3D-print prototype solutions.

    • get hands-on with circuits, batteries, and motors to engineer movement. We use tools like laser cutters to precisely shape materials and work with hard materials when building final prototypes.

    • apply science concepts — such as building strong structures, mechanical systems, and understanding environmental factors — to ensure our solutions genuinely work in the real world.

Food Technology

  • You will learn about:

    • The food technology room and the procedures we follow to ensure, the food that we prepare is safe to eat;

    • Health and safety procedures;

    • How to work together in a small group;

    • The words we use to describe and categorise food;

    • How to read a recipe;

    • How to use the equipment, the oven, the grill, the stovetop and the microwave effectively;

    • How to clean up and wash and dry dishes - without a dishwasher!

    • Nutrition and making healthy choices;

    • Garden to table

    • Use fresh seasonal produce in your creations;

    • Identifying the physical and functional attributes of the ingredients;

    • Food from different cultures around the world;

    • How to modify basic recipes;

    • The technology process.

    You can look forward to modifying or designing and creating delicious products in the authentic context of Street Food and for the lucky ones, Celebrations!

  • You will build on what was learnt in the Year 7 course and learn about:

    • How to ensure your creations are nutritious and well balanced;

    • How to write a recipe;

    • How to modify recipes to make them healthier;

    • How to write a brief;

    • Planning for practice;

    • Functional modelling;

    • Evaluating the outcome;

    • Food and hospitality skills by supporting our student led café, Kawhe Hui;

    • Develop a product for the café based on stakeholder feedback;

    You can look forward to modifying or designing and creating delicious products in the authentic context of Al Fresco (Outdoor) Cafe Food.

  • Kawhe Hui Entrepreneurial team – Terms 1, 2, 3 and 4

    This is only open to Year 8 learners. Interested learners will have to submit a written application and those that are selected will be working in the following sub-groups: entrepreneurial, financial, cuisine, service and advertising. They will be responsible for the day to day to day running of our own student led café, Kawhe Hui and therefore will be required to attend lunchtime training sessions each week and be on a roster to work in the café on Fridays.

Digital Design and Technology

  • Year 7 students will learn about 3D design by using computer aided design (CAD) software to create an object to be 3D printed. They will also explore coding and computational thinking by creating a game.

  • Year 8 students will extend their knowledge and skills in 3D design and coding. They will use computer aided design (CAD) software to create a more complex object to be 3D printed, as well as being introduced to other forms and uses of 3D design. They will also continue to learn about coding and computational thinking through gaming.

  • The learning intentions related to the subject of Digital Design and Technology at Somerville Intermediate are listed below. The intentions are for students to cover a broad base of problem solving activities that require them to communicate ideas through computer aided design software and coding.

    Both year 7 and year 8 are taught 3D printing and coding by creating original. Digital Design and Technology is one of the four subjects taught at Somerville linked to the New Zealand Technology curriculum, as well as the emerging Digital Technologies curriculum.

    • To develop a sound working knowledge of 3D printing and computer aided design (CAD) software.

    • To apply appropriate mathematical and technological knowledge to solving 3D design problems.

    • To develop a basic understanding of the purpose and types of coding.

    • To use coding and computational thinking to develop a game.

    • To understand and apply the basic processes and elements of design.

    • To gain a knowledge of materials, processes, and components and of their application to develop a product, system, or design.

    • To learn to evaluate how well solutions meet a given brief or instruction.

    • To describe what the internet is, how it works and how we can keep it safe for the future.