Technological and applied studies (TAS)

Food Technology

The study of Food Technology provides students with a broad knowledge and understanding of food properties, processing, preparation and their interrelationships, nutritional considerations and consumption patterns.

It addresses the importance of hygiene and safe working practices and legislation in the production of food. It also provides students with a context through which to explore the richness, pleasure and variety food adds to life.

Design and Technology

Design and Technology (D&T) engages student’s in technological innovation and the world of design while exploring the impact on individuals, society and environments.

Students  undertake  practical experiences that are used to develop knowledge and understanding of and skills in designing, producing and evaluating.

Textiles and Design

Textiles and Design develops a body of knowledge, skills and values that contribute to the overall education of students and which can provide opportunities for small business and leisure activities useful throughout life.

It develops student creativity and project management skills that promote self-esteem and satisfaction. Students develop an understanding that textiles in industry, small business and in leisure activities has an emphasis on project work and students emulate this through the designing, planning and manufacturing of a Major Textiles Project.

Information Software Technology

The study of Information and Software Technology (IST) Years 7–10 assists students to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills to solve problems in real life contexts.

Through experiential and collaborative tasks, students engage in processes of analysing, designing, producing, testing, documenting, implementing and evaluating information and software technology-based solutions.

Creative, critical and meta-cognitive thinking skills are developed through students’ practical involvement in projects.

Exploring Early Childhood

Our society acknowledges childhood as a unique and intense period for growth, development and learning. When members of society are provided with knowledge about childhood development they will then be able to support and encourage this development when interacting with children.

The Exploring Early Childhood course aims to achieve this by giving students an overview of development and related issues within an early childhood context. It provides the opportunity to consider a range of issues in relation to the individual student, their family and the community.

As well as reflecting on the personal relevance of childhood issues, students are encouraged to consider the implications for future interactions with children, be these as a parent, friend, carer or educator.

Community and Family Studies

Community and Family Studies is an interdisciplinary course drawing upon selected components of family studies, sociology, developmental psychology and students’ general life experiences.

This course focuses on skills in resource management that enable people to function effectively in their everyday lives, in families and communities. Community and Family Studies utilises an ecological framework to investigate the interactions among the individual, family, community and society.

Recognition of the interdependence of the individual and other groups is central to the framework. Consequently, this syllabus focuses the Preliminary course on the individual and their interactions with personal groups, family and community. 

Information Process and Technology

Information systems and the role they play in society have increased in significance in recent years. The raw ingredients – information, information technology and participants – combine to form information processes within information systems.

The area of information systems has provided major jobs growth for both women and men in recent years. Moreover, fields which have not traditionally been associated with computers – but in which processing information is a vital function – are emerging as exciting new areas of employment. These include music, the arts, science and technology as well as new and fast-growing industries that use multimedia.

Food Technology

The Preliminary course will develop knowledge and understanding about food nutrients and diets for optimum nutrition, the functional properties of food, safe preparation, presentation and storage of food, sensory characteristics of food, the influences on food availability and factors affecting food selection. Practical skills in planning, preparing and presenting food are integrated throughout the content areas.

The HSC course involves the study of:

• sectors, aspects, policies and legislations of the Australian Food Industry
• production, processing, preserving, packaging, storage and distribution of food
• factors impacting, reasons, types, steps and marketing of food product development
• nutrition incorporating diet and health in Australia and influences on nutritional status. 

Practical experiences in developing, preparing, experimenting and presenting food are integrated throughout the course.

Design and Technology

The Preliminary course involves the study of both designing and producing. This is explored through areas such as design theory and practice, design processes, environmental and social issues, communication, research, technologies, and the manipulation of materials, tools and techniques.

The course involves hands-on practical activities which develop knowledge and skills in designing and producing. The Preliminary course includes the completion of at least two design projects. These projects involve the design, production and evaluation of a product, system or environment and includes evidence of the design process recorded in a design folio. The design folio can take a variety of different forms.

The HSC course applies the knowledge and understanding of designing and producing from the preliminary course. It involves the development and realisation of a Major Design Project, a case study of an innovation, along with the study of innovation and emerging technologies.

The study of the course content is integrated with the development of a Major Design Project, worth 60% of the HSC mark. This project requires students to select and apply appropriate design, production and evaluation skills to a product, system or environment that satisfies an identified need or opportunity.

The case study of an innovation requires students to identify the factors underlying the success of the innovation selected, analyse associated ethical issues and discuss its impact on Australian society

Textiles and Design

The Preliminary course involves the study of design, communication techniques, manufacturing methods, fibres, yarns, fabrics and the Australian Textile Clothing, Footwear and Allied Industries.

Practical experiences, experimenting and product manufacturing are integrated throughout the content areas and includes the completion of two preliminary textile projects. These projects develop each student's creative abilities and skills in designing, manipulating, experimenting and selecting appropriate fabrics for an end use.

The HSC course builds upon the Preliminary course and involves the study of fabric colouration and decoration, historical design development, cultural factors that influence design and designers, contemporary designers, end-use applications of textiles, innovations and emerging textile technologies, appropriate textile technology and environmental sustainability, current issues and the marketplace.

This course involves the development of a Major Textiles Project, worth 50% of the HSC mark. The project is selected from one of the five focus areas and enables students to explore an area of interest. The project has two components: the supporting documentation and textile item/s.