Metalwork & Engineering
Department members
Joseph O’Sullivan, Jonathan Irwin & Stephen Smith
Provision of the subject in the school
Engineering Technology JC is taught as an optional subject to students up to Junior Cycle Level.
Engineering Technology LC is the follow-on subject for students who wish to sit this subject at Leaving Certificate level. Students follow the course set out by the DES syllabus and can achieve Ordinary and Higher Level in their Leaving certificate examinations. Students sit Engineering at a Common level for their Junior Cycle.
Time table
| JUNIOR CYCLE | 4 PERIODS PER WEEK |
| LEAVING CERT | 5 PERIODS PER WEEK |
The study of Junior Cycle Engineering aims to enable students to develop the disciplinary skills and knowledge to engineer a product and to engage in goal-oriented problem solving, creating an awareness of engineering processes. They will also develop the necessary skills and apply engineering processes to manipulate material to manufacture a product with efficiency, accuracy, precision and a high-quality finish.
Students will learn the basics of:
- Metallurgy
- Material Science
- Hand tools and Equipment
- Measurement
- Machining
- CNC machining
- Joining of Materials
- Health and Safety
- Mechatronics
With both theory and practical elements to the examination, the student will get a great opportunity to show their talents. With the completion and part design of a final project, students find junior engineering to be a very motivating and rewarding subject, opening their eyes to the world of engineering at Leaving Certificate level and beyond.
| Assessment breakdown | |
| Project | 70% |
| Theory | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Engineering Technology (Leaving Certificate)
Engineering in general is one of the most integral and fast moving facets of modern life. To choose a career in the epicentre of such an interesting dynamic field must be an exciting prospect for any student. Engineering Technology at leaving certificate gives students a firm grounding in all the main engineering principles:
- Material Science.
- Polymer Technology
- Machining
- CAD / CAM
- Material Joining
- Measurement and Inspection
- Applied Dynamics
- Design
- Health and safety
Students of Engineering will use a unique range of skills in the design and production of a project to a design brief. This project allied with a practical skills test and a final written paper on engineering theory make Engineering Technology a very diverse, interesting and challenging subject. It will allow students to develop a true appreciation for the world of engineering and provide them with an introduction to engineering at third level and a possible career in one of the many facets of the subject.
| Ordinary level | Higher level | ||
| Project | 30% | Project | 25% |
| Practical | 30% | Practical | 25% |
| Theory | 40% | Theory | 50% |
| Total | 100% | Total | 100% |
Facility
We have a well-equipped specialist room, furnished with twenty-four benches, a large variety of hand tools and metalworking machines. This allows all students to experience the environment of a practical workshop situation.
Planning and Preparation
Department meetings are held at the beginning and end of each term. We also discuss department matters on a daily basis as issues arise. A member of metalwork teacher association E.T.T.A. Ongoing In-service with T4 technology subject development group.
Resources
- Textbook
- JC Engineering Technology
- LC Engineering Technology
- Mini Library of Reference Books.
- Wall charts, process diagrams.
- Engineering Components and Models.
- Collection of student project work displayed.
- Use of Internet to research and design. Data projector.
- A well-equipped engineering workshop with its array of tools and machinery is of immense value as a resource for the teaching and learning of the subject.
