CURRAJONG STATE SCHOOL
CURRAJONG State School students have created their own pinball paradise.
Year 4 students designed the pinball machines as part of their design technology unit based on a theme using numerous resources and materials.
The creative cohort used the school’s 3D printer to design and print pinball flippers of various sizes, shapes and colours.
Playfield, targets and obstacles were constructed including ramps, spinners and drop down holes. These were all constructed using many different material types.
Once completed students evaluated the functionality of their pinball machine and suggested possible improvements for future builds.
Chris Grant, a wood work and metal work teacher from Heatley Secondary
College, collaborated with the staff and students from Currajong to put his Year 12 students to work, designing and creating nearly 60 pinball launchers in a production line style.
He then delivered them to the Currajong students with the final step in the design left to do. The students had to carefully select the correct spring to give their ball just the right amount of force to launch it into the playfield and begin the game.
The hands on, practical learning students did during the unit helped them develop their design and engineering abilities as well as their critical thinking skills.
Turning a 2D design into a working 3D model tested their resilience at times, but all students bounced back as they redesigned or readjusted elements to make them play better and function as intended.