Teaching ideas
The Rail Engineering Challenge
Two Rail Engineering Challenges are presented here as possible units of work for teams of 4-6 students undertaking Stage 5 Industrial Technology: Engineering. Both of the Rail Engineering Challenge scenarios (A and B) are detailed in the set of materials below. The Scenario A teaching and learning sequence supports Specialised module 3: Control Systems. The Scenario B teaching and learning sequence supports both Core module 1: Engineered structures and Specialised module 3: Control Systems.
Teachers and students should note that both of the Rail Engineering Challenges are based on the Making Tracks Schools Engineering Challenge which was an initiative of RailCorp and was developed in partnership with the Curriculum K-12 Directorate of the NSW Department of Education and Training. Unfortunately funding is no longer available for the Challenge so it was decided that the existing materials be uploaded to the Curriculum Support website.
Each scenario is described in the Teacher Handbook which is supplemented by a detailed topographical map showing the geographical area for which the new system is being developed and a set of railway design specifications to inform student decisions throughout the projects.
Teams are required to take into account factors such as: topography, demographics, signalling and social and environmental impacts of the new railway system. The Rail Engineering Challenge will involve:
- designing a new railway system for a hypothetical location not currently serviced by train
- solving specific problems related to the development of the new system
- modelling of a section of their new railway system.
To succeed in the Rail Engineering Challenge, teams must have an understanding of the different engineering roles that exist, and how they work together. These engineering roles can include civil, electrical, mechanical and signal design engineering and project management. They will be required to prepare the following:
- Engineering report containing design development, analysis and evaluation of the solution
- A3 map of the proposed route for the new system
- Scale model of a short section of the railway system
- Team presentation.
Teaching resources
In addition to the above resources, teachers should find the following useful in developing their Rail Engineering unit of work. It should be noted that these resources were initially developed for the Making Tracks Schools Engineering Challenge.
Civil engineering video (9.9MB)
Electronic Content Allocation Tool
Electrical engineering video (11.3 MB)
Electrical engineering presentation PowerPoint (1,295KB)
Environmental issues video (11.7 MB)
Mechanical engineering video (12.6 MB)
Project management video (10.5 MB)
Signal engineering video (9.31 MB)
Signal engineering PowerPoint (0.9MB)
Signals engineering presentation PowerPoint (3,292KB)
Signals handout PowerPoint (977KB)
Suggested method of producing topographical model jpg file (400KB)
Careers in rail engineering - RailCorp careers fact sheets
Electrical engineering (construction)Mechanical and mechatronic engineering
Surveying/geomatic engineering
myfuture
myfuture is Australia's national career information and exploration service. The Assist Others section supports teachers to help young people link workplace culture as well as career options and pathways to learning areas.
The Facts section provides comprehensive information on education and training opportunities, occupations, industries, labour market and much more. A number of occupational videos are now available on some occupational fact sheets adding interest and occupational perspective.
Transport and Logistics Centre
The Transport and Logistics Centre (TALC) began in 2004 as a Commonwealth and NSW Government initiative aimed at building capability in the Transport and Logistics (T&L) industry, including road, rail, maritime, aviation and logistics.
The For Students section of their website contains a wealth of information about careers in transport and logistics, including two careers booklets available for download:
1. Transport and Logistics: What's it got to do with you?
2. Transport and Logistics: Where will it take you?
Australasian Railway Association
The Australasian Railway Association is a member-based association that represents the interests of the rail sector in Australia and New Zealand.
The web site has a careers section. It claims to represent the interests of all rail operators, both private and government, track owners and managers, manufacturers of rolling stock and components, and other aspects of the rail industry in Australasia.
Ace Day Jobs
Ace Day Jobs is produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Ace Day Jobs is a series of five minute video episodes of Australians with innovative careers, including engineering.
School to Work
The School to Work program is a NSW DET initiative to improve the preparation of school leavers moving into the workforce and/or further training. A range of teaching ideas has been developed to support teachers in the implementation of vocational learning in Industrial Technology.
© State of New South Wales through the Department of Education and Communities, 1999 - 2011. All rights reserved.
