The Richmond Secondary Technology Education courses fit under the Applied Design, Skills and Technologies curriculum.  

Exposure to technical education courses is a tremendous advantage for all students.  In our increasingly technological world, ADST courses will help develop young people who are skilled and capable critical thinkers. Students who are tech savvy problem-solvers who are able to think creatively and communicate solutions to problems and challenges.   Technical Education classes at Richmond Secondary School include courses in Automotives, Metal Work and Woodwork as well as CAD (Computer Assisted Drafting and Design), Engineering with Robotics and Design and cross-disciplinary courses in Graphics (Media Arts) and Yearbook. Safe shop practices are taught and will be expected of every student in every class in in all Technology Education courses. Students must be willing to work safely in the shop classes at all times. Using tools and equipment apppropriately and the wearing safety gear will be required at all times (e.g. eye protection, ear protection and hard hats in construction areas). Note - there may be minimum charges for optional materials used in making student projects in all Technology Education courses.  However, no student wil be denied the opportunity to take Technology Eduational courses if they cannot afford to pay for materials.  All projects are taken home by students once completed.

APPLIED SKILLS 8: CARPENTRY, FOODS AND NUTRITION and TEXTILES 
This rotating Grade 8 course introduces our youngest students to the basic concepts and skills through a rotation system comprised of Foods, Textiles and Carpentry. Carpentry 8 will introduce students to our professional wood shop and the important safety procedures as well as basic carpentry tools and skills they will use to plan and create several simple projects with wood and other materials. Foods and Nutrition 8 introduces students to basic food preparation and food handling skills. Safety and lab procedures will be emphasized along with the planning and skills involved in creating a variety of easy-to-prepare, nutritious foods. Textiles 8 introduces students to the use of a sewing machine and related sewing equipment and supplies. Students will develop their creative and critical thinking competenices while planning and learning the skills involved in producing several simple, useful and personalized textiles projects. These introductory courses will allow students to try different courses, learn new skills and help them make informed decisions in their course selections in future years. 

 

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY (INTRODUCTORY) 9-12
This course will provide students with an introduction and basic understanding of the workings and service of various automobile components. Topics include engine basics, ignition system, cooling system, lubricating systems, fuel system, brakes and care maintenance and service. Students must be able to work independently and cooperatively and safely at all times in the automotive shop. Please note, students in Grades 9 and 10 will receive credit for Power Technology 9 or 10.

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY 11
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY 12
The senior auto courses include all areas covered in Introductory Automotive Technology plus more sophisticated topics such as charging and starter systems, emission control systems, suspension, steering and alignment, clutches, bakes, transmission differentials and drivelines.  Students must be able to work independently and cooperatively and safely at all times in the automotive shop.

 

WOODWORK 

WOODWORK (INTRODUCTORY) 9-12
Students will learn to work with wood in fundamental and creative ways.  All students will be expected to use hand and power tools and machines safely, following appropriate demonstrations and tests. Students will plan and construct a variety of wood projects using both hand and power tools. Once required projects and skills are completed and mastered, students will have some choice in the design of their final project, in consultation with the teacher.  There may be some costs involved to cover extra materials or unique wood products.

WOODWORK 11
WOODWORK 12
In the senior woodworking classes, students will learn and refine more sophisticated woodworking skills and projects including joinery, framing, millwork, cabinets and furniture construction. Depending on individual skills, mastery of techniques and demonstrated safe use of tools and equipment, students will have more freedom to design and plan unique wood projects, in consultation with the teacher.  To offset the costs of unique wood species, stains and sophisticated projects that students will create and keep, a course fee may be necessary.  

 

METALWORK

METALWORK (INTRODUCTORY) 9-12
This is a course in which students will learn to safely and skillfully use hand tools and machine tools in the metal shop. This course involves casting aluminum, machining using lathes and milling machines and welding steel using both oxy-acetylene and arc welding processes. Students will use these newly acquired skills to develop interesting and challenging projects. Safety is always stressed.

METALWORK 11
METALWORK 12
These are excellent courses for students who want to extend what they learned in Introductory Metalwork or intend to go on the post-secondary trades training. This course teaches students how to safely and accurately operate lathes, milling machines, drill presses and bandsaws. All machine operations will be associated with projects. The course also allows students to become proficient in arc and oxy-acetylene welding and cutting. The shop has arc welding rooms, oxy-acetylene stations, lathes of various sizes, milling machines and drill presses, etc. This is a very well-equipped shop and students have an opportunity to develop excellent shop skills and computer machining is also explored. 

 

DRAFTING AND COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN (CAD)
Drafting and Computer Aided Design courses are highly recommended for all students interested in working with computers and technology or going into engineering, architecture, industrial or interior design, advertising or the trades. All courses are taught in a PC-based lab using AutoDesk software, 3D Printing, Laser Cutting and Vex Robots.

DRAFTING & COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN INTRODUCTORY 09
This course introduces students to the fundamentals, standards and skills of CAD Drafting (Computer Aided Design). The course utilizes AutoCAD to create drawings and solid models. In addition, 3D StudioMax and Blender are used to create complex modelling, animations and special effects. Video game design is introduced, using the online game creator Scratch and an introduction to 3D Printing and the coding of VEX Robots using RobotC is also covered.

DRAFTING & COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN LEVEL 1 (Architecture focus)
This course is for students who have completed Drafting/CAD Introductory, but can also be the first Drafting/CAD course for Grades 10, 11 or 12 students. The focus of this course will be architectural and interior design, and with students producing a complete and detailed set of drawings for a house that they design.  AutoCAD, Sketchup, and 3D StudioMax are used extensively to create the drawings and animated walk-throughs. A scaled model of the house will also be built out of carboard.

DRAFTING & COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN LEVEL 2 (Animation focus)
Recommended: Successful completion of either CAD Intro or CAD Level 1
This Animation course builds on the skills and fundamentals taught in CAD Intro or CAD Architectural/Level One. This course utilizes 3D Studio and Blender in order to learn advanced modelling and scene creation skills. The use of special effects, scripts, and plugins like MassFX and Character Studio are learned in order to create major animation projects that can be used for portfolios.  Topics around video and sound editing are also covered in order to create professional grade animation short films.

DRAFTING & COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN LEVEL 3 ADVANCED
Recommended: Successful completion of two DRAFTING/CAD courses.
This advanced course is designed for students with previous knowledge and skills in multiiple drafting and CAD programs and will provide students with an opportunity for more in-depth exploration and learning through inquiry. Possible topics include mechanical design, architectural design, animation, robotics or 3-D printing. All projects will follow a formal proposal process with the teacher, and include learning outcomes, research, resources needed and time required for completion. Students will also be expected to create an educational tutorial which will be delivered and used with other junior Drafting classes.

 

ENGINEERING AND ROBOTICS
These courses were formely known as Industrial Design courses at RHS and are recommended to students interested in acquiring some of the skills and knowledge needed to pursue post-secondary training for careers as engineers, technicians, technologists and architects.

ENGINEERING DESIGN LEVEL 1 (10-11)
This course studies the elements of design and the design process. It provides students with opportunities to solve design problems and communicate design ideas with the aid of CAD, 3-D Printing and Laser Cutting. Course content is centred around critical thinking, problem solving and group-based project work. Robotics and coding are also covered, using VEX robots to compete in classroom challenges. At some point during the course students will be expected to enter an external design competition of their choice too.

ENGINEERING DESIGN LEVEL 2 (11-12)
Recommended: Successful completion of Engineering Design Level 1
This course builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in Engineering Level 1. Course content remains focused on critical thinking, problem solving, group-based projects and participation in an external design competition. Students will be challenged to study the course elements in more depth, including using VEX Robots and RobotC programming language, and design using 3D Printing and Laser Cutting.

 

GRAPHICS & PHOTOGRAPHY

Note - Graphics and Photography courses are considered Arts course credits for Grade 9 students.

GRAPHICS LEVEL 1 (INTRODUCTORY) 9-12
This is a beginning course for grades 9-12 in Graphic Communications. The course focuses on two main areas: Printing production (or Graphic Arts) and Photography:

a)  Printing
The printing business is a high tech industry that is the third largest employer in the manufacturing sector. This part of the course focuses on giving students an overview of the printing industry. Students are provided instruction in: Computer Desktop Publishing, Graphic Design and Printing Production. Some of the assignments students will do are: designing logos, printing note pads, laying out ad, printing business cards, etc. The computer programs used are industry standards of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign. This is the only school in Richmond that offers a comprehensive Graphic Arts Program.

b) Photography
This is a basic course in B/W photography. The emphasis is on learning photography theory, along with taking and developing photographs. In this course, students will use 35mm Single Lens Reflex cameras. Students do not need their own cameras, but it is an asset to have your own. Digital photography is also introduced and explored. Some photo assignments are traditional B/W.

GRAPHICS LEVEL 2 (INTERMEDIATE) 10-12
In the second course for students taking Graphic Communications students will explore the fields of Graphic Arts and Photography at a more advanced level.

a)  Printing
Students will continue to explore the field of Graphic Arts or Printing. Some of the projects include: two colour business cards, graphic design, desktop publishing in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign.

b) Photography
Students will continue to explore B/W photography and Level 3 will do more advanced photo projects than in Graphics Level 1.

GRAPHICS ADVANCED 12
Students in this course will further explore Printing and Photography. Some of the projects will include a photo ad, multi-coloured assignments in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Portrait photography and a photo essay will be included. Some students will be selected to work on the yearbook as yearbook photographers.

YEARBOOK 10
YEARBOOK 11
YEARBOOK 12
Students enrolled in this course work on and produce our school yearbook. They will do everything as the class is organized as a real printing/publishing company. Using the Adobe Design collection of software, students produce the layout and all the photographs as a professional graphic designer would.