This module will develop core attitudes, knowledge and skills that are central to the technology education discipline. Students will develop fundamental knowledge and experience of how engineering materials are formed and processed. Creating an awareness and appreciation of the importance of working safely in the technology classroom environment will be central to the delivery of this module. Through the medium of design, students will be provided with the opportunity to develop a wide range of manipulative skills, focusing on the purposeful selection and use of equipment for processing a broad range of materials. Students will interpret design drawings as they develop foundational skills in the realisation of semi-permeable design tasks. This module will develop and apply knowledge of plane and descriptive geometry through engagement in design-based tasks. Particular emphasis will be placed on the interpretation and application of projection systems and standards and conventions for the communication of graphical information. The module will develop knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles underpinning the relationship between material processing and material characteristics. This module places a focus on the sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation and processing of natural materials. Students taking the module will explore the role and purpose of practical education within the Irish curriculum to initiate the development of a personal construct of what it means to be technological capable.

Natural resources: availability, management, environmental and sustainability considerations, Properties of materials: nature and structure of materials. Primary processing: Extraction/Mining/Refining (ores), Harvesting/conversion/seasoning (wood). Secondary processing: Basic manufacturing processes - cutting, forming, shaping, rolling, casting, turning, etc. Graphical communication of technical manufacturing factors. Hand processing of materials, procedure and best practice. Health and safety in the manufacturing environments. Tooling: key generic principles of tooling geometry. Material and surface finishing (non-applied). Measurement: Datum surfaces, accuracy and tolerance, measurement equipment. Marking out: Strategies and sequences. Standards and conventions for graphical communication for engineering. Manufacturing technology: Provision, anatomy, machine tools, setup, speeds, feeds and best practice. Material Jointing: Classification of jointing, factors that influence joint design and selection, (tension, compression, torsion shear etc).

On successful completion of this module, students will: 1. Discuss critical issues associated with the use of naturally occurring material resources with regard to their distribution, utilisation, management and impact on the environment. 2. Describe the primary production of Metal and Wood materials and explain how the production/processing methods impact on the material properties, secondary processing and end use performance. 3. Differentiate between sustainable and unsustainable primary and secondary material production processes 4. Define the generic characteristics of an effective material cutting process, indicating the relationship between material structure/properties and cutting tool geometry. 5. Demonstrate knowledge of the main classifications of joining materials - thermal processes, mechanical joining and adhesive/chemical bonding of metals and woods. 6. Select and justify and critique appropriate media, techniques and conventions to graphically communicate or model in the Engineering & Wood Technology.

On successful completion of this module, students will: 1. Develop an awareness of the impact of material production and processing on the environment and articulate their beliefs with regard to sustainability - Consider the relationship between Technology and Society 2. Self-audit and evaluate the development of core knowledge and skills associated with the development and mastery of communication, craft and processing skills. 3. Develop an appreciation of the importance of working safely in the technology environment. 4. Recognise and value the role and application of graphical communication skills in the manufacturing process.

On successful completion of this module, students will: 1. Develop a broad range of manipulative skills that can be applied to the precision processing of materials. 2. Demonstrate best practice in the safe use of a range of hand tools indicating how the key variables and appropriate controls impact on best practice technique. 3. Accurately carry out procedures using appropriate tools for marking out material. 4. Create technical design documents that communicate fundamental realisation and design principles utilising sketches and working drawings as appropriate.

Project and problem based learning will be embraced to create a constructivist learning environment for students. A design based approach to problems and projects will be essential to achieving the required understanding of material properties, processing, and application. Lectures will provide students with the prerequisite knowledge on the principles underpinning laboratory related activities. Completion of practical projects (closed to semi-permeable design tasks) will expose students to processing techniques, procedures and equipment that may be used in the manipulation of metal, wood and plastic materials in technology related disciplines.