Home Page News   St Benildus College "THE BEST EDUCATION MONEY CAN'T BUY" Irish Independent   Technology  2009/2010 < back   Construction Studies 2009/2010  Construction studies aims to introduce students to the knowledge and skills involved in construction technology, materials and practice through theory, project work and experiments. The course aims to improve a pupil’s ability to communicate ideas and information by suitable and appropriate methods, increase the pupil’s knowledge of the effect the construction industry has on the environment taking into account such things as architectural heritage, embodied energies and waste. The subject is very hands on with pupils designing and making artefacts using the skills learnt from theory, experiments and their own research. Pupils have at their disposal a wide range of handtools, machinery, timbers and design tools which allow them to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed with their practical work and assignments This subject provides pupils with a strong basis for those wishing to pursue a career in the construction, engineering and design fields. Construction studies is assessed in three parts in both higher level and ordinary level. Part 1: Is a written paper at both higher and ordinary level, which covers the theory of the course. In this paper question one is a compulsory drawing question, pupils must complete question one and four others out of a total of ten questions. Part 2: Is a four hour practical exam, pupils have to complete a given project in the set time working from plans of same. Part 3: Is an assessment of project work, laboratory experiments and portfolio. Part 1 is marked out of 200 marks at ordinary level and 300 marks at higher level Parts 2 and 3 are worth 150 marks each.