NCEA Level 1 Materials and Processing - Wood Technology

With the 2024 Curriculum Refresh, some changes have been made to our traditional technology courses.  In 2024, there are 3 distinct areas of technology - Materials & Processing (traditionally these were textiles, engineering, wood and food), Digital Technologies and Design and Visual Communication.  You are able to choose two out of the three technologies.  

Materials and Processing provides a broad introduction and foundational knowledge of the technological process.  This allows for specialisation into each area at level 2 & 3 Each of the mediums (different areas of materials eg textiles, engineering, wood or food) will be theme based and offer the same assessments throughout the year.  All courses will be split into two semesters which may provide opportunities for you to change your medium for the second semester.  Three out of the 4 Achievment standards will be offered.  This will consist of 2 Internals and 1 external achievement standard. 

Choose the medium/material you would most prefer to work with.

In this course, students will be given a brief, a scenario and or theme.  This will give them the opportunity to design and manufacture a project that interests them or fits the needs and opportunities of a potential client.  They will also get the opportunity to explore the many and varied materials that are on offer in today’s society and our Taupō community.  These could be native and or exotic timbers and or wood  based products, the many and varied metals used nowadays, selecting suitable plastic's, leather, bone or other available materials. 

The course will provide opportunities for students to develop and improve many skills like their practical abilities, creative design, negotiation, research, testing & trialing techniques and other areas required for success in today’s technological society.

This course can lead the students on to pathways in an number of the trade based or design industries on offer, or into leading edge experimental industrial environments that have always been a part of Aotearoa's number eight wire mentality.

This subject can also assist the student on to their chosen pathway into Tertiary institutions like: polytechnic & university or apprenticeship system.

It is worth knowing that the student may be withdrawn from a standard if the teacher is not confident that the achievement of the standard is within the reach of the student or there is no evidence of the student attempting the assessment.