Materials Technology Wood (MTW) is one of the technology subjects offered at junior cycle. In MTW you w
ill learn to design small projects and the skills required to use tools and equipment to make your designs. You will work mainly with wood but also with other materials. You will learn about wood as a material and how it is produced.
What will I learn in MTW? Some of the things you will learn include:
- How to design a project given a brief description of what you are to make
- How to use the internet for research purposes
- How to use freehand sketching to communicate your ideas
- How to prepare a design drawing/plan of a project you design
- How to read design drawings and make small projects from these drawings
- How to safely use a range of hand and power tools in producing your design.
How will I learn MTW in school? Some of the things you may do with your teacher and your classmates are:
- Examine trees, their leaves and seeds and be able to recognise their varying characteristics
- Investigate how trees affect the environment around us
- Learn to sketch freehand
- Learn how to problem solve and use a design process to design projects
- Develop your craft skills to allow you to make projects
- Prepare a design folder to accompany your project.
How can I learn more about MTW outside of school? Some of the things you may do are:
- Rather than just looking at trees, try to recognise the different species and their features
- Examine how pieces of furniture are put together and why they are so strong
- Use the internet to find information on design, wood, plastics and woodworking skills
- Talk to people involved in the woodworking industry, for example carpenters or cabinet makers.
