Hard Materials Technology

In Hard Materials Technology students design and make a range of products out of a variety of materials. They identify a need or opportunity and explore ideas that can be used to solve an issue. Developing innovative solutions to a design problem is a focus and there is an emphasis on testing and trialling ideas where students are encouraged to take risks. Students are taught a range of practical skills such as using hand tools, power tools, machinery and Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM). Students learn about the properties of materials, how and why things work, how things are made, designing for a specified environment and designing for a stakeholder. Hard Materials Technology can lead to careers in areas such as manufacturing, product design, engineering, construction, furniture design, interior design, architecture and industrial design.