Technology in the Donahies C.S.

Three teachers currently serve the technology department of the Donahies. There are 7 subjects offered to pupils. They are Technical Graphic, Design and Communication Graphics, Construction Studies, Woodwork, Engineering, Metalwork and Technology.

The facilities for these subjects have been greatly enhanced in recent years. These enhancements include thousands of euros worth of new machinery for the practical rooms including Computer controlled machines.

One of the most impressive parts of these enhancements however, is the brand new computer lab for the teaching of Design and Communication graphics.

This room is equipped with 20 new flat screen desktop computers and 6 laptop computers. The computers are all networked together and connected to the main server.

They are all connected to the Internet as well as to an A3 LaserJet colour printer.

These computers allow the students to design projects, create circuit boards, type up their portfolios, produce working drawings and model projects in 3D CAD. Also in the room is a ceiling mounted data projector.

The Junior drawing room

is equipped with an interactive whiteboard and has recently been refurnished and carpeted.

The Technology room

is now equipped with a Thermoforming centre that can produce plastic moulds and can also weld plastic.

Furthermore there is a new CNC router which can produce Printed circuit boards and foam or mdf prototypes of students projects which they would have designed using CAD. This allows the manufacture of remote control vehicles.

There is also a vinyl cutter that can create stickers to enhance the appearance of the students’ projects.

The Engineering room

currently has a new welding and forging section which enables the production of projects ranging from jewellery to go-karts.

There is also a CNC lathe that allows the manufacture of intricate 3-D objects.

The Woodwork room has also been given new equipment.

It now boasts a CNC router that allows manufacture of highly detailed models and projects which the pupils will design on computer.

A new addition to the Department is the Laser machine.

This machine can cut plastics and soft metals using a laser beam to produce 100% accurate parts for use in projects. It can also be used to engrave pictures taken on digital cameras onto plastics and glass.