Unit content
An understanding of the Year 11 content is assumed knowledge for students in Year 12. It is
recommended that students studying Unit 3 and Unit 4 have completed Unit 1 and Unit 2.
It is divided into core content and specialist engineering fields. Students must study all of the core
content material and at least one of the specialist engineering fields.
This unit includes the knowledge, understandings and skills described below.
Core content
Engineering design process
Investigating
• develop a design brief
• use research skills to identify existing solutions/products
• describe and analyse existing solutions/products
• research and describe materials and components relevant to the design brief
• consider forms of energy supplies
Devising
• annotated pictorial drawings of design ideas
• annotated orthographic drawings of design ideas
• the chosen option to be used as the solution
Producing
• present specifications for the selected solution
dimensioned pictorial and orthographic drawings
orthographic drawings and sketches are 3rd angle projections and include
lines – outlines, hidden detail and centrelines
dimensioning – linear, radii, circles, holes through or partial depth with flat base
materials selected
parts lists
costing of prototype or working model
• develop and use a timeline to construct and test the solution
• solution construction by selecting and using appropriate tools and machines, and following safe
work practices
• solution testing for correct function and document using checklists and test data
Evaluating
• final solution in terms of:
meeting the requirements of the design brief
function and finish of the product
variations and changes to the design
Materials
Classify types of materials
• metals (pure)
aluminium
copper
zinc
iron
• alloys (ferrous)
steel
stainless steel
• alloys (non-ferrous)
brass
solder (lead/tin)
• polymers
polypropylene
polycarbonate
acrylic
ABS
nylon
• composites
concrete
reinforced concrete
Fundamental engineering calculations
Dimensional
• examine dimensioned drawings to determine:
overall length, height and width
direct and indirect dimensions: linear measurements, radii and diameters
Perimeter
• square and rectangular plane figures
• right triangular plane figures
hypotenuse2 = opposite2 + adjacent2
• circles
p = πd
Surface area
• square and rectangular plane figures
• cubes and rectangular right prisms
• right triangular plane figures
• triangular right prisms
• circles
A = π r2
• open ended cylinders
A = π d h
Quantity estimates
• determine lengths and surface area of:
geometric shapes and forms
individual shapes
simple combinations of shapes and forms
Engineering in society
Energy
• define and describe relationships between:
energy
power
work
• define and compare forms of energy
kinetic
potential
thermal
chemical
electrical
electro-chemical
electromagnetic (light)
sound
nuclear
• identification of non-renewable sources
fossil fuels: coal, gas and oil
nuclear
• identification of renewable sources
solar: thermal, biomass, photovoltaic and wind
solar/gravity: waves
gravity: tidal and hydroelectric
geothermal
• advantages and disadvantages of non-renewable and renewable source