Technical

Wick High School offers a wide range of Technical subjects:

  • BGE Technical CfE
  • Design & Manufacture at National level
  • Engineering Science at National and Higher level
  • Graphic Communication  at National and Higher level
  • Practical Woodworking at National level

BGE Technical

S1

In S1, you are given an introduction to Technical. We try to give you as broad a range of subjects as possible, in order to make you aware of what is involved for when you are ready to choose subjects later in your school career. Technical Education is fun and exciting in S1, as we do lots of model making, drawing and 3D modelling on the computer. You will make a boat and keyring out of wood among other exciting projects.

S2

Second Year Technical is about improving your design, graphic and practical skills. You will make a clock out of wood and other materials, along with a folio which is to show off your graphic abilities in presenting working drawings, sketches and promotional material.

You will also get the chance to study the design of an actual product and then display the evaluation results on a presentation which you share with the rest of the class.

S3

Third year is a key year where the scene is being set for National qualifications. Pupils currently do a range of practice joints and a mirror frame in Practical Craft. Auto Cad and sketching and promotional publications feature heavily in the graphics course.

N4/5 Design & Manufacture

This is a practical based course which aims to develop your skills in design, graphics and manufacture. In Third Year, you will tackle three ‘Design and Make’ projects where you construct a model in wood, metal and plastic. In Fourth Year, the final project involves the design and manufacture of a table. The folio and prototype table is worth two thirds of the entire Standard Grade. Finally, the written exam, set at Foundation, General and Credit levels, assesses your knowledge of tools, materials, processes and design.

If you are thinking of a career involving any aspect of creativity or design then you can go on to study Design & Manufacture at Higher in Fifth/Sixth Year.

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47457.html

N4/5 Engineering Science

This exciting practical course is like a mix of Applied Physics, Computing and Maths. The subject is recommended to all those pupils who are interested in a career in Science or Engineering. The course combines practical work such as building circuits; writing computer control programs; using computer simulation; as well as the more traditional study of theory. Over the two years you will learn about:

  • Systems • Microcontroller Programming
  • Electronics • Energy
  • Pneumatics • Mechanisms

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47458.html

Higher Engineering Science

This subject is ideal for those students interested in a career in Science or Engineering. The subject has a mix of practical work, such as circuit assembly, microcontroller programming, computer simulation and testing; as well as the more traditional study of theory in:

  • Applied Electronics
  • Systems and Control
  • Structures and Materials

The knowledge covered in these units is used in the Case Study report where you select and then investigate the solution to an actual industrial problem. An external exam is used to determine the final grade in this subject.

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47928.html

National 4/5 Graphic Communication

National 4/5 Graphic communication is a huge step up from BGE graphics. Pupils are required to carry out research activities and convey graphic ideas in a variety of forms. Free hand sketching, Auto CAD and promotional documents form the main backbone of the course. The level of detail required for each task is quite demanding if pupils never chose graphics in 3nd year. The course is made up of a combination of unit tasks which have to be passed, a final course assignment and written exam. The coursework and written exam make up 50% each of the final grade.

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/45653.html

Higher Graphic Communication

Higher Graphic Communication explores the use of graphics in business and industry. The course develops both manual and computer skills, and pupils should gain a good understanding of the importance of graphics in engineering and in product design, from concept through to marketing. Pupils will gain experience and skills in both freehand and technical drawing but alongside this, the use of ICT forms a key aspect of the course, and pupils should become familiar with the range of professional programmes and computer applications they might expect to encounter in an industrial context. The course is made up of a combination of unit tasks which have to be passed, a final course assignment and written exam. The coursework and written exam make up 50% each of the final grade.

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47929.html

N4/5 Practical Woodworking

This S4/5/6 woodworking course is intended for students who enjoy practical work but who do not want any design or written work. It is offered at National 4/5 level. The course starts with making a number of practice joints. As your skills improve, you then move on to build a series of larger projects with the help of a set of drawings. Finally, you construct the Unit Projects and this is used to assess if you have successfully completed the three units:

  • Flat Frame Construction
  • Carcass Construction
  • Machining and Finishing

Towards the end of the course, you make the Course Assignment Project. This brings together all the skills developed in the units. How well this project is constructed and finished determines your level of presentation (National 4/5) and your overall grade

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/47462.html