Category: Construction Studies & Woodwork Projects

Mr Patrick Kelly, visited Hazelwood College today to present to the students his fully functional replica Formula One car. Mr Kelly recently completed his Bachelor of Education and Technology at the University of Limerick.

As part of his final year at the University Patrick undertook a 10 week placement at Hazelwood College, teaching students Woodwork, Construction Studies and Technical Graphics from September to December. After his return to the University Patrick began the task of building what is believed to be the only fully driveable wooden formula one car.

The car is built on a steel chassis, with a wood composite skin. The wood composite skin comprises of bendable plywood, medium density fibreboard and almost five hundred hand cut maple and walnut pieces to form the outer skin. The car was then hand sanded and between three and six hand applied coats of oil to bring the car to its final finish.

It is powered by a 600cc, 90HP engine with a six speed semi automatic transmission, giving it the same power as a 1.5l petrol family car, but with about one third of the weight. The car is capable of over 100mph.

Pictured above are the Leaving Certificate Construction Studies Class Mr Kelly taught while on placement at Hazelwood College with their teacher Mr Fealy.

Gallery – click on any image to enlarge

Junior Certificate Woodwork 2013 Projects

Below is a selection of the projects submitted by this years woodwork classes for the State Examinations.

Students had to pick one of the following design briefs and submit a project they felt answered the brief

Design Briefs – Ordinary Level

1. Design and make an elegant artefact to display a maximum of three tea-light candles on a table. The artefact should be designed to be safe when in use. Your design should be hand crafted in solid wood and should have a storage facility for six additional tea-light candles.

2. Design and make a money box to be displayed on a desk or shelf. The money box should be attractive in appearance and should include a facility to display a small photograph.

3. Design and make a decorative artefact to hold three small potted herb plants. The artefact should be designed to be wall-mounted in an outdoor setting. Your design should be elegant in appearance and should reflect the theme of ‘grow your own food’.

Design Briefs – Higher Level

1. The most cherished objects are often those that are simply crafted and easy to use. Design and make a stand that will support an open cookery book on a kitchen worktop. The stand should express the elegance of handcrafted joints. As a secondary function, the stand should be suitable as a visually attractive wall mounted display.

2. The spirit of welcome is a cultural trait which is valued and celebrated worldwide. Design and make an artefact which could be presented to welcome a visitor to your local community in 2013. The finished artefact should be elegant in appearance and its design should express an aspect of culture that is unique to your community.

3. An organised environment enhances a young person’s bedroom space. Design and make a slimline, wall-mounted storage unit for use in a bedroom. A portion of the unit should provide a means of concealing a number of personal items. The unit should be of elegant proportions, enhanced by the natural beauty of solid wood. Your design should reflect the sustainable ideal of doing more with less.
The maximum dimension of the unit should not exceed 500mm.

Leaving Certificate Construction Studies Projects 2013

Below are the projects submitted by this years Leaving Certificate class for the State Examinations 2013.

The Leaving Certificate course is broken into three sections with 50% awarded for the terminal exam, 25% for a practical examination and 25% for the projects shown below

Click on any image twice to see fullsize

Returning Graduate Offers Hazelwood Students Advice on Designing Their Own Future.

Pictured in the photo is past student Seán Collins who recently graduated from the School of Architecture at the University of Limerick. Seán visited the Hazelwood College senior cycle students to give a presentation offering information for students interested in pursuing studies in Architecture. Sean also gave students a presentation on some of the projects in which he has been involved. Seán has, in the recent past, been project architect on the national award winning design team “Limerick Smarter Travel” (whose designs are currently under construction across Limerick City under Limerick City Council) and has also worked for the Department of Education conducting a national pilot scheme carrying out assessments of the educational facilities and resources of primary and secondary schools all across Limerick City. He is currently working for the University of Limerick on an advisory group for future building and infrastructural developments on the university’s campus. While studying at Hazelwood College, Seán was also an accomplished musician taking part in several musicals and the recording of our first student CD.

(Back row left to right) Mr Mike Hennessey, Sean Collins, Mr Jonathan Fealy and Mr Danny Sheehan. (Front row left to right) Hazelwood College students Patrick Madigan, Christopher Daly and Becky Ryan.

Junior Certificate Woodwork 2012 Projects

Below is a selection of the projects submitted by this years woodwork classes for the State Examinations.

Students had to pick one of the following design briefs and submit a project they felt answered the brief

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Click on any image twice to see full size