TAS stands for Technological and Applied Studies. It is a learning area that provides students with practical and hands-on experiences in designing, making and evaluating products, systems and services. The TAS curriculum covers a wide range of areas with a goal of developing students’ understanding of the role that technology plays in their lives and the impact it has on society. It also aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to create practical solutions to real-world problems and to become confident, creative and competent users of technology.
Stage 4
Technology – Years 7 & 8
Technology is a mandatory Stage 4 subject that provides students with the knowledge and skills to become technologically literate individuals. This subject is a rich and complex area that encompasses a diverse collection of knowledge, skills and processes used to meet human needs and extend human capabilities. By studying Technology Mandatory, students learn how technology affects and enriches the lives of people and societies globally and contributes to shaping preferred futures.
The practical nature of Technology Mandatory engages students in hands-on activities such as project and problem-based learning. Through these experiences, students develop their capacity for action, critical appreciation of technological processes, and innovative problem-solving skills. The Technology Mandatory syllabus provides opportunities to reinforce and integrate knowledge from other subjects in the curriculum and encourages independent and collaborative learning. The skills developed through this subject can be applied to further education and career opportunities in fields such as design, technology, engineering, and science.
Stage 5
Years 9 & 10 are elective years, with students electing to study subjects for 100 hours, 200 hours or in some cases, studying one semester long course.
These are foundational courses, which introduce subject fundamentals and involve, in most cases, developing skills, managing and producing projects or working on other practical activities. The skills learned are useful post-school, and develop critical and creative thinking and involve problem solving and project management. Though not required, they do provide a good platform to lead into their Stage 6 counterparts.
Subjects offered for study include:
- Agriculture
- Graphics Technology
- Food Technology
- Textiles Technology
- Design & Technology – STEM
- Electronics Technology
- Industrial Technology
- Art Metal (Jewellery)
- Automotive
- Building and Construction
- Engineering
- Electronics
- Metal
- Multimedia
- Timber
Stage 6
Years 11 and 12 are elective years with students electing to study subjects in the Preliminary and HSC courses. These subjects can be studied without having taken their respective counterparts in Stage 5. These are all two-unit, category A subjects which contribute to a student’s ATAR calculation.
The courses involve developing and using specific, intricate and complex skills in the relevant field. In most cases, students will develop and manage significant projects or complete other practical learning activities. Many of these courses use Project Based Learning, and challenge students to solve problems using critical and creative thinking.
Subjects offered for study include:
- Engineering Studies
- Design and Technology
- Industrial Technology
- Multimedia Technologies
- Electronics Technologies
- Timber Products and Furniture Technologies
- Graphics Technologies
- Metal and Engineering Technologies
- Automotive Technologies
- Textiles Technology
- Community and Family Studies
- Food Technology
Students may choose to study multiple TAS Stage 6 subjects, though only one Industrial Technology context area may be studied. For example, a student may study Food Technology, Multimedia Technologies and Engineering Studies, but they may not study both Multimedia Technologies and Electronics Technologies.