Year 7 Technology
In Term 1 and 2, some of our Year 7 Technology Mandatory students took on the exciting Engineered Systems unit by diving into the world of CO₂-powered dragster design and construction. Working in the workshop, students began by researching the principles of force, motion and aerodynamics, applying these concepts to design a miniature car that would be both fast and efficient.
With safety glasses on and coping saws in hand, students measured, marked and shaped their balsa wood blocks into streamlined dragster bodies. Using tools such as rasps, files and sandpaper, they refined their designs, making decisions that balanced aesthetics with aerodynamic efficiency. Along the way, students learned valuable practical skills such as how to use a pedestal drill safely, how to insert axles and eyelets correctly and how to minimise friction through precise wheel alignment. Each car became a reflection of the student’s growing understanding of engineering and design, and of their individual creativity.
After weeks of hard work in the workshop, the unit reached an exciting conclusion in Term 2, Week 2 with Race Day! Students brought their completed CO₂ dragsters to the track to put their designs to the ultimate test. Each class watched eagerly as cars launched down the racing line, powered by a burst of compressed CO₂.
Congratulations to all students for their outstanding efforts, and a special shout out to our Top 3 Fastest Cars across the year group during this rotation:
- 1st Place: Marko Bukvic — 1.311 seconds
- 2nd Place: Amelia Caramancion — 1.326 seconds
- 3rd Place: Shlok Shrimali — 1.341
We look forward to seeing what innovations Year 7 will continue to bring to their future Technology projects!
Student reflections:
I enjoyed race day a lot. We started off waiting while watching the fastest cars I’ve ever seen go right past us. The fastest one I saw was 0.85 seconds. 20 meters in 0.85 seconds! I had never seen anything like it. When it was my turn to race I got 1.648 seconds, not bad but also not the worst. Overall I enjoyed the day. - Peter.Z
This project was a great learning experience, teaching us about the challenges of designing and building a CO₂-powered car. We discovered how much thought and effort goes into making a car that not only works but performs well. Along the way, we learned a lot about the tools and the workshop, gaining valuable hands-on experience. Race day was a thrilling and fun event, testing our reaction times and giving us a real sense of control in the moment. It was exciting to see our hard work come to life and realize how dedication and effort can lead to success. If we had the chance to do the unit again, we would use our new knowledge to refine our designs and create even better cars, improving their speed and performance based on everything we’ve learned. - Sally.M
Miss Mifsud, Miss Valdivia, Miss Serbin & Mrs Carlos
TAS Teachers