A three year course to Junior Certificate comprising of:

Practical Work (50% of total grade)
Written/Theory Work (50% of total grade)

Teachers
Finbarr Gallagher ( Room 411 / 410 )
Michael Doherty ( Room 402 )

Course Outline
Year One
Year Two
Year Three

Written / Theory Exam

Exam papers 2010 - Higher Section A - Higher Section B | Ordinary Section A - Ordinary Section B

Exam Papers 2009 - Higher Section A - Higher Section B | Ordinary Section A - Ordinary Section B
Exam Papers 2008 - Higher Section A - Higher Section B | Ordinary Section A - Ordinary Section B

Junior Certificate Project Archives
2012 Projects

2011 Projects
2010 Projects
2009 Projects
2008 Projects
2007 Projects
2006 Projects
2005 Projects
2004 Projects
2003 Projects

Year One

Written/Theory Work:

• Health & Safety in the Work Shop.
• Hand Tools (Rule, Tri Square, Marking Knife, Marking Gauge, Tenon saw, Paring Chisel, Mallet, Pin Hammer).
• Power Tools (Drill, Glue Gun, Wood Burner).
• Machines (Scroll Saw, Band Saw, Pillar Drill, Morticer, Strip Heater).
• Materials (Softwoods, Hardwoods, Manufactured Boards, Plastics, Metals, Glues, Pins, Screws, Paints and Varnishes).
• Jointing Methods.
• Workbook Exercises.

Practical:

Students will make a range of small projects which will incorporate the use of the various tools, machines, materials and jointing techniques available to them.

Year Two

Written/Theory Work:

• The growth of a tree
• Forest management in Ireland
• Irish Hardwoods & Softwoods
• Conversion of Timber
• Seasoning of Timber
• Common Diseases and Defects in Timber
• Woodturning
• Wood Carving
• Jointing Methods

Practical:

Students will make a range of projects which will incorporate the use of the various tools, machines, materials and jointing techniques available to them. The students will have to produce Working Drawings, Joint Designs and Material Lists to accompany their work.

Year Three

Written/Theory Work:

Term 1:

• Properties of Materials
• Manufactured Boards
• Plastics
• Metals
• Fastenings and Fixtures
• Finishes
• Project Design (Analysis, Investigation, Design Ideas, Drawings, Evaluation)

Term2:

• Practice/Revision using Past Exam Papers
• Produce J.C. Project Design Folio

Term 3:

• Practice/Revision using Past Exam Papers

Practical:

Term 1:

• Sept & Oct: Produce a practice J.C. Project and Folio.
• Nov & Dec: Design their chosen J.C. Project and produce a Working drawing.

Term 2:

• Jan – April: Make their chosen J.C. Project and produce a Design Folio.

Coursework - Design and Realisation

Design Briefs - Ordinary Level

1. Design and make a small decorative pull-along toy suitable for a young child.
The toy should be safe when in use. It should have a cartoon character theme and be attractive to the child.

Design Brief gallery 1

2. Design and make an elegant artefact to hold and display containers for tea, coffee and sugar.
Your design should be enhanced by the use of solid wood. The artefact should be hand-crafted and should complement the style of the existing kitchen.

Design Brief gallery 2

3. Design and make a wall-mounted artefact that provides an easy method for feeding small birds during the winter period.
Protection from predators should be considered in the design and the artefact should also reflect a nature theme.

Design Brief gallery 3

Design Briefs - Higher Level

1. Carefully placed lighting can greatly enhance the atmosphere of a living area.
Design and make a compact table on which to place a small lamp. The table should be elegant in appearance and should display the functional simplicity of hand crafted joints.
You should clearly explain how you minimised your carbon footprint in the design, selection of materials and in the processes used to manufacture the artefact.

Design Brief gallery 1

2. The Olympic ideal of a healthy mind, body and spirit expressed through participation in sport and exercise, motivates many young people to adopt an active lifestyle.
Design and make an artefact which celebrates the importance of a healthy, activity-based lifestyle. The design should reflect a theme of health and personal achievement.
The finished artefact should be elegant in its setting and be inspirational to behold.

Design Brief gallery 2

3. Many young people like to study in attractive and organised surroundings.
Design and make a portable study organiser for use on a desktop. The artefact should be designed to hold a maximum of three textbooks. It should also incorporate a facility for holding drawing equipment and other small study items. Your design should be inspired by the sustainable ideal of doing more with less. This ideal should be reflected in the size of the artefact and in your choice of materials.

Design Brief gallery 3

Ordinary Level Projects

Design and make a decorative artefact to hold and display a personal music player.
The artefact should be lightweight, contemporary in appearance and should incorporate a music theme.

Design Brief 1 gallery

Design and make an elegant artefact to hold and display at least six eggs on a kitchen worktop.

The design should incorporate a theme to reflect aspects of Irish wildlife. The artefact should complement the style of the existing kitchen.

Design Brief 2 gallery

Design and make a decorative artefact to display a small number of medals and trophies.

The artefact should be designed to sit on a flat surface. The artefact should be elegant in appearance and should reflect a theme of personal interest.

Design Brief 3 gallery

Higher Level Projects

Many young people like to use a laptop computer at home.

Design and make a freestanding artefact to hold and support a laptop computer when in use. The artefact must be mobile and capable of being stored in a confined place. You should demonstrate how you minimised your carbon footprint in the design, selection of materials and in the processes used to manufacture the artefact.

Design Brief 1 gallery

In an effort to raise awareness of the importance of forests and biodiversity, the United Nations has dedicated 2011 as the International Year of Forests.

Design and make an artefact which celebrates the importance of forests in maintaining biodiversity and in preserving the world's fragile resources. The design should reflect the interdependence of all life forms on earth. The finished artefact should be inspirational and elegant in its setting.

Design Brief 2 gallery

Young people often have small personal items which they wish to keep close at hand.

Design and make a decorative artefact to hold a number of such personal items. The design should be inspired by the natural beauty of wood and should celebrate the visual appeal of hand-crafted joints. The artefact should be of pleasing proportions and be attractive in appearance.

Design Brief 3 gallery

Ordinary Level Projects

Design and make a small elegant clock for display in a young person's room.
The design of the clock should incorporate a facility to display a favourite photograph.
Include in your design decorative features to reflect a theme of your choice.
Design Brief 1 gallery

Design and make a decorative artefact to dispense paper towels in a kitchen.
The design should incorporate a facility to store a spare towel roll.
The artefact should be elegant in appearance and should incorporate a cooking theme.
Design Brief 2 gallery

Design and make a portable artefact to hold a number of small garden hand tools.
The artefact should be lightweight, suitable for outdoor use and should incorporate a nature theme.
Design Brief 3 gallery

Higher Level Projects

Many young people like to participate in sport and leisure activities. Design and make an artefact to store sports and leisure gear for one activity.
The artefact should be compact, freestanding, elegant in appearance and be designed to allow easy access to your sports gear. You should demonstrate how you considered your carbon footprint in the design. in the selection of materials and in the processes used in the manufacture of the artefact.
Design Brief 1 gallery

Young people are often concerned about environmental issues such as global warming and ecological biodiversity. Design and make an artefact to express your commitment to the preservation of the natural environment.
The design should be inspired by the idea of nature conservation and should reflect the beauty of natural forms. The artefact should be elegant to behold in a setting of your choice.
Design Brief 2 gallery

Many young people like to read and to listen to music for relaxation. Design and make a free standing artefact to hold a small number of your favourite hooks.
The artefact should be designed to display personal items that reflect your interest in music and also to allow the titles of the books to be easily visible. The design should be elegant in proportion and be attractive to behold.
Design Brief 3 gallery

Ordinary Level Projects

Design and make a decorative artefact to display one small bathroom towel and which will neatly store three other towels.
The artefact should he elegant in appearance and should reflect an aquatic theme.
Design Brief 1 gallery

Design and make a decorative mirror which incorporates a theme to reflect your favourite pastime.
The mirror should be elegant and attractive in appearance and should include an open storage facility to hold small personal items.
Design Brief 2 gallery

Design and make a small decorative garden ornament to indicate wind direction.
The artefact should be of robust construction and incorporate a theme based on Irish wildlife.
Design Brief 3 gallery

Higher Level Projects

A stool as all item of furniture has many uses.
Design and make a sturdy and elegant stool for use in the home.
The stool should be designed to have a secondary function specific to the area in which it is to be used. You should demonstrate how you considered your carbon footprint in the design, selection of materials and in the processes used in the manutheture of the stool.
Design Brief 1 gallery

Many people partake in artistic or craft activities as a form of relaxation and as a means of expressing their creative talents.
Design and make a decorative artefact to reflect a particular artistic or craft activity.
The design idea should be inspired by the intrinsic beauty of wood and the artefact should be elegant to behold in a setting of your choice.
Design Brief 2 gallery

Many young people like to sketch and paint.
Design and make a small portable artefact for use when sketching and painting in an outdoor setting.
The artefact should accommodate storage for sketching and painting materials and should be designed to incorporate an ergonomically suitable work surface.
Design Brief 3 gallery

Ordinary Level Projects

Design and make a decorative artefact to hold three small potted plants:
The artefact should be elegant in appearance and should reflect a nature theme.
Design Brief 1 gallery

Design and make a decorative lamp suitable for a desk:
The lamp should be modern and attractive in appearance and should incorporate a facility to hold three books.
Note: All electrical connections and fittings must comply with current safety standards.
Design Brief 2 gallery

Design and make a small decorative artefact to display household notices and reminders:
The artefact should include a facility to store the necessary writing materials and should also reflect a recycling theme.
Design Brief 3 gallery

Higher Level Projects

Many toys are designed to develop and refine the manipulative skills of a child:
Design and make an attractive and stimulating toy suitable for use by a child. The toy should include a device or mechanism which will enhance the child's manipulative skills.
Design Brief 1 gallery

Many students admire and are inspired by the endeavours of past pupils of their school:
Design and make a decorative artefact which could be presented to a past pupil or a group of past pupils on a visit to your school. The design should be inspirational and the artefact should reflect an achievement of a person or group.
Design Brief 2 gallery

A small stylish piece of furniture greatly enhances a hallway or entrance area of a house or apartment:
Design and make a small hall table of elegant proportions that will attract and please the eye. In addition, the table should be designed to incorporate a storage facility for small items.
Design Brief 3 gallery

Ordinary Level Projects

Design and make a money box that will sit on a bedside locker:
The money box should he attractive in appearance and should incorporate a theme that would encourage a young person to save.
Design Brief 1 gallery

Design and make a small decorative tray:
The tray should be capable of carrying tea for not more than two people. It should also be lightweight and safe in use.
Design Brief 2 gallery

Design and make a compact artefact to hold a mobile phone.
The artefact should also be capable of holding a phone charger and should display a theme relevant to your phone.
Design Brief 3 gallery

Higher Level Projects

A facility to hold coats is desirable in a hallway.
Design and make an artefact to hold a maximum of four coats. The artefact may be either wall-mounted or free-standing and should be slimline and elegant in proportion. The artefact should also incorporate a secondary function.
Design Brief 1 gallery

Many young people are inspired by historical events or by people who have made a significant contribution to humanity.
Design and make a decorative artefact to commemorate and celebrate a person or an event that has enriched local or national life.
Design Brief 2 gallery

Many young people enjoy reading magazines and newspapers.
Design and make an artefact suitable for the neat storage of magazines and newspapers in a young person's bedroom. The artefact should he portable, elegant in appearance and should complement the furniture in the bedroom. The overall design and form of the artefact should reflect a music theme.
Design Brief 3 gallery