*NOTE - This is not a program to train teachers in the use of machinery and tools. It is intended as a means of support for educators faced with delivering an unfamiliar curriculum and offers an approach to developing programs teaching the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills without the use of the usual power tools and machines found in the Design & Technologies workshop. DATTA Vic’s main priority is to continue to advocate for a governmental response to the need to grow the number of opportunities for initial teacher education in Design & Technologies.

Participant feedback:

I really enjoyed it and got so much out of it. I have used it to create new electives for next year.

It made me rethink how we can teach design and tech – focusing on sustainability and problem solving is great.

The personal design project is to me a really important component as it allows us to be in the place of a student and to understand any difficulties they may have.

It is valuable it is not only for STEM but for all Critical and Creative thinking in the Curriculum.

As a completely new teacher to this Domain area, I am very grateful to have been welcomed to undertake this course. I have found it fantastic. lots of information that was shared, and Peter was so knowledgeable. 

The structure was logical and flowed well. The structure allowed me to gain confidence with the overall Technology and Design process before going into further detail of junior and VCE curriculum, CAD programs etc.

I feel much more confident now and really excited about where Design Technology can go in the future at our school 

In 2020, we also piloted a Success with Systems Engineering Masterclass in partnership with Banyule Nillumbik Tech School with support from the Google Educator Professional Development Grant.

This program aims:

• To upskill teachers from existing STEM areas (Design & Technologies, Physics, etc) to deliver engaging and relevant Systems Engineering programs
• To explore ways to attract and retain more young people – in particular girls – in Systems Engineering
• To offer support to low SES schools to set up VCE Systems Engineering as a senior subject

Participant feedback:

The masterclass covered all the requirements to be able to know how to begin teaching VCE Systems. A Lot of practical demonstrations and hands-on activities to develop skills for teaching.

I learned a lot from this – new learning, new ways of doing things. It improved my understanding on various areas.

Now I’ll be more confident with beginning teaching VCE Systems and will know more about planning.

I feel confident to start implementing a systems engineering course.

I will give students most opportunity to experiment and iterate.