Hard Materials Technology Room, Term 3.

Year 8 Craftsmen Turn Up the Volume

Our Year 8 cohort tackled a multi-step timber project, designing and crafting custom passive phone amplifiers from scratch. This project challenged students to combine traditional woodworking techniques with modern manufacturing technology.

Beginning with rough timber, students carefully planed the wood to create smooth, level surfaces before measuring and cutting their pieces to exact size. The crucial step involved accurately cutting internal channels designed to naturally direct and boost acoustic sound output. Once the bodies were glued and shaped into some very creative shapes (including sculptures of saxophones!). Students added their own personal flair. Using techniques such as laser engraving and poker burning, they decorated their amplifiers with unique patterns, names, and art.

Year 7 Foundry Expertise

Meanwhile, some of our Year 7 students stepped into the world of metalworking through a pewter casting unit. The students began by carving detailed custom moulds out of plaster, mastering how to work in reverse to create negative spaces for the metal.

We then poured molten pewter into their plaster casts. Once cooled, they extracted their custom pendants and set to work with files, sandpapers, and polishing wheels to buff the metal to a mirror finish. The Attention to detail and perseverance on display was fantastic to see and led to some amazing results that

the kids are rightfully very proud of.

Incredible Results All Round

Both year groups demonstrated fantastic problem-solving skills, patience, and attention to detail throughout their units. Seeing our students develop practical life skills while bringing their own creative ideas to life is wonderful.

Ka rawe, team!

Aaron Pitts

Hard Materials Teacher