TECHNOLOGY

Junior Cycle Applied Technology aims to develop the students' curiosity of the technological world while integrating the necessary subject knowledge with the disciplinary skills to investigate and solve real-life problems. Applied Technology addresses the modifications of the natural world made to fulfil human needs or desires. This subject offers students a lens through which to view the role and impact of technology within their classroom, their community and the world.

Every human-made product is designed by applying some knowledge of the natural world and is built using materials derived from the natural world, even when the materials are not themselves natural. New technologies can impact on society and the environment. Students will analyse expected benefits and impacts as they make decisions about their design solutions, while considering the end user, the environmental impact and the functionality of their designs.

Through the study of Applied Technology, students will have the opportunity to develop technological capability and literacy by engaging with a broad range of materials and systems. Students will develop an understanding of the principles of energy and control to resolve practical problems. Students will have the freedom to explore design and systems thinking through a process to conceive, refine, realise and evaluate ideas.

The study of Applied Technology at junior cycle aims to:

• Enable students to develop the necessary conceptual understanding, disciplinary skills and subject knowledge to investigate and solve real-life problems
• Promote the enjoyment of the study of the subject while developing a curiosity about the technological world
• Develop the ability of students to generate and evolve their ideas through an iterative process and communicate through appropriate media
• Develop students’ resilience through constructive critique and support their learning in a ‘safe failure’ environment
• Encourage a disposition of enquiry, innovation, creativity, and self-efficacy

At ETSS Wicklow students have access to a range of state-of-the-art equipment and tools to facilitate students’ participation in the latest processing and design techniques. Including our Additive processing unit. At the forefront of the technology lab is the additive manufacturing station promoting student us of 3D printing as part of the realise stage of the design cycle. . One of the key advantages of 3D printing is the ability to produce very complex shapes or geometries that would be otherwise impossible to construct by hand, including hollow parts or parts with internal truss structures to reduce weight.