Leaders in Engineering Studies
Teachers at Kwinana Senior High School have helped pioneer a new Western Australian senior school course.
An air engine learning package, called the “Lucy air engine’, developed by Design and Technology teachers Rob Guest and Ken Matsen in their Metals Technology class has been incorporated into the new Engineering Studies course, which is now available to schools across Western Australia.
Curriculum Council curriculum officer, Andy Briggs, worked with the two teachers to incorporate the task into the new Engineering Studies course.
Kwinana Engineering Studies teachers Ken Matsen (left) and Rob Guest with the Lucy air engine.
Andy praised the two teachers for their high standard of machining and fitting skills, as well as the management of their workshop and students.
He said Rob and Ken each allocated three days of their time to work with him to develop the air engine teaching package.
“When I saw the task at Kwinana SHS last year, I could see it was a great example of mechanical engineering principles,” Andy said.
“Once students see someone’s air engine functioning, the whole class is captured. Students thoroughly enjoy this task,” he said.
“If teachers are interested in the air engine task, the minimum requirement for the school is a well-equipped mechanical metal-working workshop including four lathes, two pillar drills and a vertical milling machine.
“In terms of class size, the maximum number of students is 16 to 18.”
Andy said that the air engine package not only teaches Engineering Studies principles well, but it also teaches maths principles because students have to convert their imperial measurements into metric.
He said that when the higher level task package is finished, it will have the ability to cover content up to 3B.
The complete Engineering Studies teaching package can be found on the Curriculum Council website at www.curriculum.wa.edu.au. Ultimately, three complete air engine unit packages will be available on the website, which will represent two academic years of work.
“Teachers from other schools have developed ‘spin-offs’ of the Kwinana air engine task. For example, CBC Fremantle is working on its own version of the package,” Andy said.
“Mirrabooka Senior High School has also used the package and modified it to suit its needs. The school is attempting to manufacture a similar engine that will use diesel fuel.”
