PLATINUM - TECHNOLOGY | GRADE 7

Brief overview of content:

Term 1
The design process
1. The design process:
• The design process of a technology task
• Design considerations
Graphic communication
2. Introduction to graphic communication
Mechanical systems and control
3. Simple mechanisms
• First-class levers
• Second-class levers
• Third-class levers
PAT 1: Using pneumatics and hydraulics to obtain mechanical advantage
Term 2
Structures
4. Structures
What are structures?
• Types of structures
• Investigate a frame structure: a cell phone tower.
• Strengthening structures
• Evaluate phone systems
5. Impact of structures on society and the environment
• Investigate design issues
• The features of a product
• Examine an existing product
Mini PAT The cell phone tower.
Term 3
Electrical systems and control
6. Magnetism and magnetic materials
What is magnetism?

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Processing
7. Recycling materials
• Recycling scrap metals
• A recycling scheme for your school
Electrical systems and control
8. Simple electrical circuits
• What are electrical circuits?
• Make and draw simple electrical circuits.
• A simple electromagnet.
Mechanical systems and control
9. More simple mechanisms
• The crank
• The pulley
Term 4
Processing
10. Investigating emergency situations
• Emergency situations
• Initial problems faced by refugees
11. Processing food.
• Emergency food
• Manufacturing processes: Design a meal for refugees
• Make a food item.
12. Improving properties of textiles
• Emergency clothing for fire fighters
• Emergency clothing for NSRI members

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Term 1
Introduction
• What is technology?
Technology is the use of knowledge, skills, values, and resources, to manufacture
practical products that will meet the needs and wants of people.
• When do we use technology?
Innovative technology is used for new problems, and different solutions are used for
existing problems. In emergency situations technology is used for temporary and
short-term solutions
• Technology in our lives
We use technology every day in different ways, and it is all around us.
• Brainstorm: How did you use technology today?

The design process

1. The design process of a technology task
• Steps in the design process.
 Investigate Find and use information. Identify the need or problem, who you
are making the problem for, who will use it, and existing products
 Design includes a design brief, design specifications, and constraints.
 Make includes drawings, sketches, and technical drawings that shows
specifications.
 Evaluate uses evaluation criteria to check how well it meets design criteria.
 Communicate is the presentation of your design solutions
• Design considerations
Fitness-for-purpose is considered to make sure the product is suitable for its purpose
or use. Questions are asked such as: who is it for, what is it for; will it do the job, is it
safe and cost effective and easy to use considering ergonomics, and does it look good,
and will it affect society and the environment?
Graphic communication
2. Introduction to graphic communication
Drawings is used to develop ideas, and graphic communication shares information
and ideas, by using graphics
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Mechanical systems and control

Any work uses energy, and mechanisms are sets of moving parts, that are used to make work
easier, so that we; use less energy.

3. Simple mechanisms
• First-class levers
It consists of a single moving part, called a lever. Anything that has a handle on
it is attached to a lever. Levers make the moving of objects easier. It has a
straight arm or bar that turns around a fixed point, which is called a fulcrum.
Levers consist of an effort, where you apply a force, and load, which is the
object that has to be moved.
Levers can lift a heavy load with a small force, or effort, if the effort is further
away from the fulcrum, than the load
Levers give mechanical advantage, because a small effort can move a large
load. Our effort is called input, and the result is called the output. Load and
effort are measured in Newtons (N)
• Second-class levers
In a second-class lever, a load is placed between the effort and the fulcrum.
How much a force can be magnified, depends again on the closeness of the
load to the fulcrum.
• Third-class levers
In a third-class-lever; the effort is applied between the load and the fulcrum.
The advantage is that they can move a load a long distance, relative to the
effort, and are easy to use because the effort and the load, moves in the same
direction.
PAT 1 Using pneumatics and hydraulics to obtain mechanical advantage
• A pneumatic system uses compressed air to make things move. When the air
is released, it produces a force that gives a mechanical advantage, that makes
a mechanism move, if the released air touches the mechanism. A dentist’s drill
is an example. Pneumatic systems are an open system, because the air let into,
and let out of the system.

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• A hydraulic system works similarly as a pneumatic system, but uses a liquid

instead of air, to make things move. Hydraulic systems use liquids in cylinders,
to change small forces into large forces, to provide mechanical advantage.
Hydraulic systems are closed systems, where liquid moves from one container
to another, without letting any of the liquid out of the system. An example is
front-end loaders.

Term 2
Structures
• Definition: A structure is something that has been built, made or been put together in
a particular way.
• Purpose of structures is to contain objects, to protect objects, to support loads or span
distances like a bridge.
• Structures are classified as either natural, or man-made structures
4. Structures
What are structures?
• Types of structures
Different types of structures are shell structures, frame structures or solid
structures
• Investigate a frame structure: a cell phone tower; - which is an example of a
frame structure, where many rigid members are joined together, and usually
consist of beams.
The cell phone tower consists of different beams and struts that withstand
tension and compression forces. They have wide bases that help to stabilize
them. The tower pieces are held together by crosspieces, or tie beams; and
supply the tension forces, and hold members by holding or pulling on them.
Sections of the towers are held together by beams called struts, which are
diagonal beams. The struts push against sections, with a compression forces.
The triangular shapes are noticeable in these structures, since triangular
frames are very strong.

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• Strengthening structures
When structures are reinforced with triangular shapes, is called triangulation,
and it makes structures more rigid.
Pylons, windmills and mine headgear are strengthened this way.
• Evaluate phone systems
Technology offers communication systems that use landline and mobile (cell)
phone systems.

Advantages of landline phone systems are reliability, emergency contacts,

and lower prices for phone calls.
Disadvantages of landline phone systems are cable theft, lack of mobility, lack
of availability in rural areas, and cost of long distance calls.
Advantages of mobile systems are ease of communication, no long-distance
charges, and safety where help is a call away.
Disadvantages of mobile systems are interruptions, safety hazard if you get
distracted, service could be bad if the weather is bad, or there are software
problems, and unavailability of cell phone coverage in rural and remote areas.

5. Impact of structures on society and the environment

• Investigate design issues includes analysis of structural elements, the
reinforcing techniques that was used, and the design issues like visual
pollution, stability, base size, and centre of gravity.
• The features of a product
• Examine an existing product
Mini PAT The cell phone tower.

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Term 3
Electrical systems and control
6. Magnetism and magnetic materials
• Magnets attract any material that contains iron, even other magnets, and
all contain particles of iron, that are aligned up in the same direction.
Together these particles cause magnetic effects, which is called
magnetism.
• Permanent magnets keep their magnetism for an indefinite period, and
examples are horseshoe and bar magnets, and the earth which is like a big
and permanent magnet; and where the space where earth’s magnetic
effect is felt, is called the magnetic field.
• North and South poles in magnets is where the ends of magnets used in
schools are painted in red or white. The red end is called the north pole of
the magnet, and the north pole of one magnet will attract the south pole
of another magnet
Processing
7. Recycling materials
When visiting a mine or quarry, you will see the damage inflicted on earth. Also
consider all the materials that society throws away and it seems logical to reuse
some of these materials, so that we don’t need to take so much from earth. This
process of reuse is called recycling.
• Recycling scrap metals
Different metals have various properties and uses. Metals can be classified as
those that contain iron, and those that don’t.
Metals containing iron are called ferrous metals and have magnetic properties.
Non-ferrous metals don’t contain iron, and are non-magnetic.
Non-ferrous metals are malleable, which means they can be hammered of
pressed out of shape, without cracking, and are also scratch resistant, resistant
to corrosion, and conduct electricity.
• A recycling scheme for your school

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Electrical systems and control

8. Simple electrical circuits
• What are electrical circuits?
- An electric circuit consists of an electric energy source; electric
components and wires that are connected to one another to enable
electrical energy (current) to flow through the circuit.
- All circuits require a source of electric energy, which ‘pushes’ energy
through the circuit. It is marked with a number, called the voltage; -which
the cell’s ability to push energy through the circuit. High voltages deliver a
higher ‘push’.
- Connecting wires and connections should be done with insulated
connecting wire, for safety reasons. Uninsulated wires can accidentally
touch and cause short circuits, and electrical current takes a shorter route
and does not reach its destination.
• Make and draw simple electrical circuits.
• A simple electromagnet.
- An electromagnet is a temporary magnet with a magnetic field that can be
switched on and off. It is used in metal recycling processes to move large
pieces of iron, and to separate magnetic metals from non-magnetic metal.
- A simple electromagnet consists of a length of insulated wire that is wound
around a piece of iron. The coil of the wire is called a solenoid, and the
magnetic field is created when a current flows through the coil.
Mechanical systems and control
9. More simple mechanisms
- Complex machines are made up of combinations of simple mechanisms,
which are sets of moving parts that uses force and movement to do work.
Different kinds of movements make them work, like:
- Linear movement in a straight line;
- Rotary movement, which is turning movement like a tap;
- Reciprocating movement, which is up and down, like pumping a bicycle
tyre

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- Oscillating movement, which is backwards and forward movement, like a

(clock’s pendulum)
• The crank
A crank is a simple mechanism that consists of an arm, that is joined at one end
to a shaft or axle that can turn; - and on the other end it has a handle or pedal.
The crank then changes rotary movement into linear movement, like the pedal
of a bicycle. Cranks provide mechanical advantage (MA), and the longer the
crank, the easier it is to turn the axle. The longer arm increases the turning
force.

• The pulley
A pulley is a type of wheel and axle that is used to lift weights. It consists of a
grooved wheel that turns on an axle or shaft. A cord or rope runs in the groove.
When you turn the rope, the wheel turns and lifts the object at the other end
of the rope.
A single pulley has one pulley wheel, and is attached to a frame of beam. It is
then called a fixed pulley. It does not have mechanical advantage, and the
amount of effort needed to lift an object, is equal to the load. To raise an object
5m, you have to pull the rope 5m, but there is change in direction.
A compound pulley is made up of two or more pulley wheels. Compound
pulleys use less effort to lift objects, but ropes have to be pulled a longer
distance. In a double pulley system, one fixed pulley system is combined with
a moveable pulley system. This reduces effort by half, but the length of rope
that has to be pulled, then doubles. Mechanical advantage (MA) is equal (=) to
the number of pulleys used. 4 pulleys used = MA of 4.

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Term 4
Processing
10. Investigating emergency situations
A refugee is someone who flees from danger in his/her country, in order to seek
shelter or protection elsewhere, like during civil unrest, war, or natural disasters.
Once the refugee crosses the border, he then seeks asylum. Asylum is protection
given by one country to the citizens of another country. If people are displaced
from their homes inside their country, they are called internally displaced people
(IDP)
• Emergency situations that cause people to become refugees, are natural
disasters, environmental deterioration, poverty or economic crisis, and
xenophobic attacks, which is an intense dislike or fear of people who come
from another country.
• Initial problems faced by refugees
Refugees and internally displaced people have the same problems. They
experienced problems such as trauma, war, lost homes and possessions, and
sadness.
Refugees and internally displaced persons have the same needs such as a place
of safety and shelter, sanitation, food, water, clothes and blankets
11. Processing food.
Daily fresh food and water are the needs of refugees.
• Emergency food
- Emergency foods are those that don’t need cooking or refrigeration.
- A food basket provides the basic nutrients that a person needs for one day,
and includes cereal, pulses and legumes, vegetable oil and fortified
blended food blends, like a mix of soya and maize with extra vitamins and
minerals added.
• Manufacturing processes: Design a meal for refugees
- Divide a plate into four segments or quarters. The four parts represent
fruit, vegetables, cereals and protein.

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- Fruit and vegetables should be half the plate, but the vegetables should be
more than the fruit.
- Grains and cereals should be half the plate, but there should be more
cereals than protein
• Make a food item.

12. Improving properties of textiles

Technology has developed new products, which include special materials for
making protective clothing. Protective clothing protects people working in
emergency situations, like fire fighters, or miners.
Properties of protective clothing are hardness, toughness, stiffness, and flexibility.
• Emergency clothing for fire fighters
- The type of textile should be decided, which can be natural, or man-made.
- Properties is that it should be able to withstand high temperatures without
burning, like Kevlar and Nomex
- Four types of fire-fighting gear are turnout or bunker gear when fighting
structural fires in buildings; - wildfire suits when fighting fires in the veld; -
Hazmat suits for working with hazardous materials, and which seals the
firefighter off from the outside world; - and fire proximity suits when
fighting fires of extreme high temperatures like on airports, and which has
a metallic outer layer that deflects the high heat coming from the metallic
parts of an airplane.
• Emergency clothing for NSRI members
When a NSRI team goes out to sea, they wear clothing that protects them from
both hypothermia and drowning. Hypothermia is where the body temperature
drops to a deadly low level, where vital organs shut down.
- Wetsuits are used when swimming in the sea, and is made from 3 mm
neoprene foam rubber, which is watertight and wind resistant. It keeps the
wearers body warm
- Life jackets consist of two types, namely a closed cell foam that keeps
people afloat, like on pleasure boats. The second type is called a ‘crew

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saver’ and is worn by members who go far out to sea, and inflate
automatically when the person hits the water.
- Foul weather gear consists of a jacket and pants that pull up to the chest.
The NSRI call it Musto foul-weather gear, after the company that
manufactures it. This fabric is internationally known as the most durable,
waterproof and breathable fabric there is.

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