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VCDSTS004: Explore the use of familiar designed solutions to meet their needs.
VCDSTC005: Explore the characteristics and properties of familiar designed solutions in at least one technologies context.
VCDSCD006: Experience and explore how designed solutions are created and produced safely to meet personal needs.
Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework: Cultural Responsiveness Standard - Staff embed Aboriginal cultural knowledge, such as sustainable wood sourcing for tools like coolamons, to demonstrate respect for community values and environmental stewardship.
Cross-Curriculum Priority: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures - Students explore traditional wood use in crafts like coolamons to understand sustainable and ethical design principles.
Wood is used in design applications like furniture construction and crafts to meet personal and community needs safely. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have used wood for coolamons woven baskets and shelters for thousands of years selecting local timbers like jarrah for durability and flexibility. Coolamons made from curved hardwood are used to carry food water or babies reflecting practical and cultural design. This practice ensures sustainability by harvesting only what is needed from the environment. In Western Australia timbers like jarrah and karri are used for long-lasting furniture due to their strength and aesthetic grain patterns. Softwoods like pine are chosen for lightweight shelves or frames providing cost-effective solutions for home needs. Wood meets functional requirements while being safe and renewable when sourced ethically.
In construction wood is applied in structural elements like beams frames and flooring offering strength and thermal insulation. Aboriginal knowledge incorporates local timber in sustainable shelters using natural bends for curved roofs. Hardwoods support heavy loads in buildings while softwoods are used for interior frames due to ease of installation. Sustainability in construction involves certified timber to reduce deforestation promoting environmental responsibility. Designers balance cost and performance to create safe structures that meet community needs.
Wood’s versatility extends to custom designs like art and tools tailored to personal preferences. Aboriginal crafts like coolamons and didgeridoos reflect cultural values through careful wood selection and ethical harvesting. Modern designers use reclaimed wood to promote sustainability reducing waste. Year 7 students learn to apply wood safely in projects respecting traditional knowledge and environmental standards. This fosters responsible design practices for future applications. (Word count: 321)
Here are 20 words from the reading for spelling practice (click to hear the word and a longer sentence with context and meaning):
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