Year 9 Design Indigenous Sustainability Project
INTRODUCTION
Statement of Inquiry: Australian indigenous cultures responded to design problems with a diverse range of technologies.
Key Concept: Communities
Related concepts: Adaptation
Global Context: Scientific & Technological Innovation
ABORIGINAL PEOPLE FORMED one of the most technologically advanced societies in the world when they first arrived in Australia. The way they adapted to our country's challenging conditions is a testament to “Aussie inventiveness.
It was once a widely held belief in Australia that before contact, Aboriginal culture stood still. But forming the kinds of agricultural societies typical of English settlers just wasn't the right strategy to endure Australia's harsh conditions. Even with imported English technology, agriculture was a precarious business in Australia.
"Diversification was the key to surviving in such a diverse landscape," says Lyndon Ormond-Parker, a research fellow from the indigenous studies unit at the University of Melbourne. "Certainly, when it came to social complexity, Australia was just as diverse as Europe. This was a constantly changing, fifty-thousand-year-old civilisation with over 500 different cultures and languages."
This diversity can be seen in the wide range of technology Aboriginal people used. But like all good inventions, these were simple, elegant solutions, and made from materials close at hand. Many of these inventions reveal a deep understanding of science and medicine.
taken from http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/history-culture/2015/03/aboriginal-australian-inventions
While we were on the Year 9 Experience we came in contact with examples of the ingenuity and design prowess of the indigenous cultures of Northern Australia, from the yidaki (didgeridoo) to basket weaving, fish-traps and the woomera for spear-throwing.
QUESTIONS TO BE EXPLORED
What kinds of Australian Indigenous technologies have been used in the past?
How can adaptation be used to incorporate ideas found in one product into the development of a new product?
Should all products be designed for sustainability?
Your progress should be recorded in your Design Journal, organised by your progress through the four phases through the design cycle, as detailed by the design criteria below.
Statement of Inquiry: Australian indigenous cultures responded to design problems with a diverse range of technologies.
Key Concept: Communities
Related concepts: Adaptation
Global Context: Scientific & Technological Innovation
ABORIGINAL PEOPLE FORMED one of the most technologically advanced societies in the world when they first arrived in Australia. The way they adapted to our country's challenging conditions is a testament to “Aussie inventiveness.
It was once a widely held belief in Australia that before contact, Aboriginal culture stood still. But forming the kinds of agricultural societies typical of English settlers just wasn't the right strategy to endure Australia's harsh conditions. Even with imported English technology, agriculture was a precarious business in Australia.
"Diversification was the key to surviving in such a diverse landscape," says Lyndon Ormond-Parker, a research fellow from the indigenous studies unit at the University of Melbourne. "Certainly, when it came to social complexity, Australia was just as diverse as Europe. This was a constantly changing, fifty-thousand-year-old civilisation with over 500 different cultures and languages."
This diversity can be seen in the wide range of technology Aboriginal people used. But like all good inventions, these were simple, elegant solutions, and made from materials close at hand. Many of these inventions reveal a deep understanding of science and medicine.
taken from http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/history-culture/2015/03/aboriginal-australian-inventions
While we were on the Year 9 Experience we came in contact with examples of the ingenuity and design prowess of the indigenous cultures of Northern Australia, from the yidaki (didgeridoo) to basket weaving, fish-traps and the woomera for spear-throwing.
QUESTIONS TO BE EXPLORED
What kinds of Australian Indigenous technologies have been used in the past?
How can adaptation be used to incorporate ideas found in one product into the development of a new product?
Should all products be designed for sustainability?
Your progress should be recorded in your Design Journal, organised by your progress through the four phases through the design cycle, as detailed by the design criteria below.
WHAT YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO DO
TASK ONE: Inquiry & Analysis - WRITE A DESIGN BRIEF
The Design Brief is a short statement of what you are going to make, why you are going to make it, and for whom you are making. It should be an open ended statement.
Remember... you are finding a solution to a problem! You are beginning your investigation and research for ideas to help find a solution to the problem which is all included in your DESIGN BRIEF.
The Design Brief is a short statement of what you are going to make, why you are going to make it, and for whom you are making. It should be an open ended statement.
Remember... you are finding a solution to a problem! You are beginning your investigation and research for ideas to help find a solution to the problem which is all included in your DESIGN BRIEF.
TASK TWO: Developing Ideas - WRITE A DESIGN SPECIFICATION
The Design Specification includes a lot more detail. As a guide, use the following to help get you started
1) Goal of my design
This is a description of what the solution will accomplish. It could indicate how well the solution is expected to work or under what conditions it will work
2) Who am I designing if for
Who you are designing for (who will use your design). Think of this in range of age groups, gender, or demographics of groups of people (for example... I'm designing a 'table bag' for 'young professionals')
3) Project Production
How your design will be used
5) Images
find ideas that inspire you... ideas that may influence your work.
The Design Specification includes a lot more detail. As a guide, use the following to help get you started
1) Goal of my design
This is a description of what the solution will accomplish. It could indicate how well the solution is expected to work or under what conditions it will work
2) Who am I designing if for
Who you are designing for (who will use your design). Think of this in range of age groups, gender, or demographics of groups of people (for example... I'm designing a 'table bag' for 'young professionals')
3) Project Production
- What it should look like (Size/colours/etc)
- What it should be made from
- Tools needed to make the product
- Time needed to complete the product... important :-)!
How your design will be used
5) Images
find ideas that inspire you... ideas that may influence your work.
TASK THREE: Creating the solution - MAKE YOUR PROTOTYPE
In this section you actually begin making your product. You need to include:
1) Write a plan AND follow this plan
2) Demonstrate technical skill in actually making your product (good idea to take photos of yourself at work)
3) Justify any changes you've had to make. It is important here that if you make any changes to your original idea, that you document / write down exactly what this is.
In this section you actually begin making your product. You need to include:
1) Write a plan AND follow this plan
2) Demonstrate technical skill in actually making your product (good idea to take photos of yourself at work)
3) Justify any changes you've had to make. It is important here that if you make any changes to your original idea, that you document / write down exactly what this is.
TASK FOUR: Evaluating - "THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY"
You've made it! You're at the end of your project... though one important step to go. In evaluating your product, you'll need to address the following
1) Any areas you feel could be improved?
2) How you tested your product
3) The success of your design (based on your Design Specification)
4) The impact on your target audience
You've made it! You're at the end of your project... though one important step to go. In evaluating your product, you'll need to address the following
1) Any areas you feel could be improved?
2) How you tested your product
3) The success of your design (based on your Design Specification)
4) The impact on your target audience
