Glossary
Effortlessly navigate the QCAA Engineering Glossary to find and understand key terms and concepts
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A
ATAR
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank
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Acceleration
The rate at which an object's velocity changes
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Accomplished
Highly trained or skilled in a particular activity; perfected in knowledge or training; expert
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Accuracy
The condition or quality of being true, correct or exact; freedom from error or defect; precision or exactness; correctness; in science, the extent to which a measurement result represents the quantity it purports to measure; an accurate measurement result includes an estimate of the true value and an estimate of the uncertainty
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Accurate
Precise and exact; to the point; consistent with or exactly conforming to a truth, standard, rule, model, convention or known facts; free from error or defect; meticulous; correct in all details
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Adept
Very/highly skilled or proficient at something; expert
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Adequate
Satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity equal to the requirement or occasion
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Analyse
Dissect to ascertain and examine constituent parts and/or their relationships; break down or examine in order to identify the essential elements, features, components or structure; determine the logic and reasonableness of information
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Annotate
Make or furnish critical or explanatory notes, or comment; add notes or comments to (a picture, drawing, sketch or diagram)
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Applied Learning
The acquisition and application of knowledge, understanding and skills in real-world or lifelike contexts that may encompass workplace, industry and community situations; it emphasises learning through doing and includes both theory and the application of theory, connecting subject knowledge and understanding with the development of practical skills
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Applied Subject
A subject whose primary pathway is work and vocational education; it emphasises applied learning and community connections; a subject for which a syllabus has been developed by the QCAA with the following characteristics: results from courses developed from Applied syllabuses contribute to the QCE; results may contribute to ATAR calculations
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Apply
Use knowledge and understanding in response to a given situation or circumstance; carry out or use a procedure in a given or particular situation
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Appraise
Evaluate the worth, significance or status of something; judge or consider a text or piece of work
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Appreciate
Recognise or make a judgment about the value or worth of something; understand fully; grasp the full implications of
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Appropriate
Acceptable; suitable or fitting for a particular purpose, circumstance, context etc.
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Apt
Suitable to the purpose or occasion; fitting, appropriate
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Area of study
A division of, or a section within a unit
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Argue
Give reasons for or against something; challenge or debate an issue or idea; persuade, prove or try to prove by giving reasons
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Aspect
A particular part of a feature of something; a facet, phase or part of a whole
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Assess
Measure, determine, evaluate, estimate or make a judgment about the value, quality, outcomes, results, size, significance, nature or extent of something
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Assessment
Purposeful and systematic collection of information about students' achievements
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Assessment instrument
A tool or device used to gather information about student achievement
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Assessment objectives
Drawn from the unit objectives and contextualised for the requirements of the assessment instrument (see also
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Assessment technique
The method used to gather evidence about student achievement, (e.g. examination, project, investigation)
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Astute
Showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people; of keen discernment
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Australian standards for engineering drawings
Guidelines for technical drawings in engineering disciplines; some examples are provided below: AS 1100.101–1992 defines the general principles for technical drawing and shows tables of symbols and abbreviations and their meanings AS 1100.201–1992 is for mechanical engineering drawing and includes information for surface texture, welding, centre holes, pipelines, springs, gears, splines, seals and knurling AS/NZS 1100.501: 2002 is for structural engineering drawing; it looks at general applications like dimensioning, lines, symbols, abbreviations, structural elements, scales, cross referencing and arrangement of elements as well as specific applications for structural steel
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Authoritative
Able to be trusted as being accurate or true; reliable; commanding and self-confident; likely to be respected and obeyed
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Automation
The use of various control systems for operating equipment such as machinery, processes in factories, steering and stabilisation of ships, aircraft and other applications with minimal or reduced human intervention
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B
Balanced
Keeping or showing a balance; not biased; fairly judged or presented; taking everything into account in a fair, well-judged way
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Basic
Fundamental
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Basic Drawing Standards
Are the fundamental requirements (i.e. scale, units, layout, titles, subtitles, orientation, parts list, dimensions, line types and quality) included in engineering drawings that are used to fully and clearly define requirements for the production of engineered items
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Biomimicry
An approach to innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating the patterns and strategies found in natural environments
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Built-in or planned obsolescence
A method of stimulating consumer demand by designing products that wear out or become outmoded after limited use
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C
CAD
Computer-aided drafting; software used by drafters, architects and engineers to help them create lines, shapes and planes that can be combined, moved, rotated, adjusted and rendered; measurements and calculations can be included; computer-aided drafting can be used to create 2D and 3D models and drawings such as floor plans and rendered pictorial views of objects and structures; also known as computer-assisted design and computer-assisted design and drafting (CADD)
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Calculate
Determine or find (e.g. a number, answer) by using mathematical processes; obtain a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working; ascertain/determine from given facts, figures or information
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Callout
A short string of text connected by a line, arrow, or similar graphic to a feature of an illustration or technical drawing, and giving information about that feature
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Categorise
Place in or assign to a particular class or group; arrange or order by classes or categories; classify, sort out, sort, separate
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Challenging
Difficult but interesting; testing one's abilities; demanding and thought-provoking; usually involving unfamiliar or less familiar elements
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Characteristics
A set of distinguishing aspects (including attributes and behaviours) of an object, material, living thing, system or event
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Clarify
Make clear or intelligible; explain; make a statement or situation less confused and more comprehensible
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Clarity
Clearness of thought or expression; the quality of being coherent and intelligible; free from obscurity of sense; without ambiguity; explicit; easy to perceive, understand or interpret
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Class time
Includes the time made available for students to independently respond to extended assessment tasks and any associated and required teaching and learning time
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Classify
Arrange, distribute or order in classes or categories according to shared qualities or characteristics
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Clear
Free from confusion, uncertainty, or doubt; easily seen, heard or understood
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Clearly
In a clear manner; plainly and openly, without ambiguity
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Code of Ethics
Defines the values and principles that shape the decisions made in engineering practice (Engineers Australia 2017)
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Coherent
Having a natural or due agreement of parts; connected; consistent; logical, orderly; well-structured and makes sense; rational, with parts that are harmonious; having an internally consistent relation of parts
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Cohesive
Characterised by being united, bound together or having integrated meaning; forming a united whole
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Collinear forces
Lie in the same plane and have the same line of action
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Comment
Express an opinion, observation or reaction in speech or writing; give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation
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Communicate
Convey knowledge and/or understandings to others; make known; transmit
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Compare
Display recognition of similarities and differences and recognize the significance of these similarities and differences
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Competent
Having suitable or sufficient skills, knowledge, experience, etc. for some purpose; adequate but not exceptional; capable; suitable or sufficient for the purpose;
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Competently
In an efficient and capable way; in an acceptable and satisfactory, though not outstanding, way
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Complex
Composed or consisting of many different and interconnected parts or factors; compound; composite; characterised by an involved combination of parts; complicated; intricate; a complex whole or system; a complicated assembly of particulars
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Components
Parts (made of two or more elements) that make up a whole object or system and perform specific functions
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Composite Materials
Materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties that, when combined, produce a material with characteristics different from the individual components; the individual components remain separate and distinct within the finished structure; the new material may be preferred for many reasons: common examples include materials that are stronger, lighter or less expensive when compared to traditional materials; typical engineered composite materials include: composite building materials such as cements and concrete; reinforced plastics such as fibre-reinforced polymer; metal composites; ceramic composites (composite ceramic and metal matrices) (also called
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Compounds
Formed when two or more elements are combined chemically in fixed proportions by weight; all compounds can be broken down by one means or another into their component elements
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Comprehend
Understand the meaning or nature of; grasp mentally
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Comprehensive
Inclusive; of large content or scope; including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something; wide-ranging; detailed and thorough, including all that is relevant
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Computer Vision
An interdisciplinary field that deals with how computers can be made to gain high-level understanding from digital images or videos; engineering uses computer vision to automate tasks that the human visual system could perform, e.g. fault recognition in mass manufacturing processes
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Computer-aided Drafting
CAD; software used by drafters, architects and engineers to help them create lines, shapes and planes that can be combined, moved, rotated, adjusted and rendered; measurements and calculations can be included; computer-aided drafting can be used to create 2D and 3D models and drawings such as floor plans and rendered pictorial views of objects and structures; also known as computer-assisted design and computer-assisted design and drafting (CADD)
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Concepts
Abstract ideas, formed by mentally combining all its characteristics or particulars; a theoretical construct; a generalised mental operation
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Concise
Expressing much in few words; giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief, comprehensive and to the point; succinct, clear, without repetition of information
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Concurrent Forces
Two or more forces whose lines of action intersect at the same point to cause rotation; the forces do not necessarily have to be applied;
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Conduct
Direct in action or course; manage; organise; carry out
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Consider
Think deliberately or carefully about something, typically before making a decision; take something into account when making a judgment; view attentively or scrutinise; reflect on
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Considerable
Fairly large or great; thought about deliberately and with a purpose
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Considered
Formed after careful and deliberate thought
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Consistent
Agreeing or accordant; compatible; not self-opposed or self-contradictory, constantly adhering to the same principles; acting in the same way over time, especially so as to be fair or accurate; unchanging in nature, standard, or effect over time; not containing any logical contradictions (of an argument); constant in achievement or effect over a period of time
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Constraints
Limitations or restrictions that must be considered and accommodated when providing a solution to a problem, e.g. teacher-specified limitations, available time, physical realities, legalities
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Construct
Create or put together (e.g. an argument) by arranging ideas or items; display information in a diagrammatic or logical form; make; build
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Contrast
Display recognition of differences by deliberate juxtaposition of contrary elements; show how things are different or opposite; give an account of the differences between two or more items or situations, referring to both or all of them throughout
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Control Technologies
A device or set of devices that manage, command, direct or regulate the behaviour of other devices or systems; a mechanical, optical or electronic system that is used to maintain a desired output
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Controlled
Shows the exercise of restraint or direction over; held in check; restrained, managed or kept within certain bounds
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Convincing
Persuaded by argument or proof; leaving no margin of doubt; clear; capable of causing someone to believe that something is true or real; persuading or assuring by argument or evidence; appearing worthy of belief; credible or plausible
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Coplanar Forces
Lie in the same plane
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Couple
In physics, two parallel forces that have the same magnitude, opposite directions and are separated by a perpendicular distance; the resultant force of a couple tends to cause rotation in a specified direction
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Course
A defined amount of learning developed from a subject syllabus
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Create
Bring something into being or existence; produce or evolve from one's own thought or imagination; reorganise or put elements together into a new pattern or structure or to form a coherent or functional whole
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Creative
Resulting from originality of thought or expression; relating to or involving the use of the imagination or original ideas to create something; having good imagination or original ideas
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Credible
Capable or worthy of being believed; believable; convincing
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Criterion
The property or characteristic by which something is judged or appraised
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Critical
Involving skilful judgment as to truth, merit, etc.; involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment; expressing or involving an analysis of the merits and faults of a work of literature, music, or art; incorporating a detailed and scholarly analysis and commentary (of a text); rationally appraising for logical consistency and merit
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Critique
Review (e.g. a theory, practice, performance) in a detailed, analytical and critical way
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Current
In electronics, the rate of movement of charge carriers from one part of a conductor to another
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Cursory
Hasty, and therefore not thorough or detailed; performed with little attention to detail; going rapidly over something, without noticing details; hasty; superficial
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D
Data
Documented information or evidence of any kind that lends itself to scientific interpretation; data may be quantitative or qualitative
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Decide
Reach a resolution as a result of consideration; make a choice from a number of alternatives
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Deduce
Reach a conclusion that is necessarily true, provided a given set of assumptions is true; arrive at, reach or draw a logical conclusion from reasoning and the information given
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Defensible
Justifiable by argument; capable of being defended in argument
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Define
Give the meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity; state meaning and identify or describe qualities
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Demonstrate
Prove or make clear by argument, reasoning or evidence, illustrating with practical example; show by example; give a practical exhibition
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Density
The density, or more precisely, the volumetric mass density, of a substance is its mass per unit volume; the symbol most often used for density is \( \rho \) (the lower case Greek letter rho), although the Latin letter D can also be used; mathematically, density is defined as mass divided by volume
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Derive
Arrive at by reasoning; manipulate a mathematical relationship to give a new equation or relationship; in mathematics, obtain the derivative of a function
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Describe
Give an account (written or spoken) of a situation, event, pattern or process, or of the characteristics or features of something
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Design
Produce a plan, simulation, model or similar; plan, form or conceive in the mind; in English, select, organise and use particular elements in the process of text construction for particular purposes; these elements may be linguistic (words), visual (images), audio (sounds), gestural (body language), spatial (arrangement on the page or screen) and multimodal (a combination of more than one)
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Detailed
Executed with great attention to the fine points; meticulous; including many of the parts or facts
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Determine
Establish, conclude or ascertain after consideration, observation, investigation or calculation; decide or come to a resolution
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Develop
Elaborate, expand or enlarge in detail; add detail and fullness to; cause to become more complex or intricate
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Devise
Think out; plan; contrive; invent
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Diagrams
Symbolic representations of information according to some visualization technique; often two-dimensional and geometric; symbols, charts, graphs and maps are forms of diagrams
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Differentiate
Identify the difference/s in or between two or more things; distinguish, discriminate; recognise or ascertain what makes something distinct from similar things; in mathematics, obtain the derivative of a function
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Discriminate
Note, observe or recognise a difference; make or constitute a distinction in or between; differentiate; note or distinguish as different
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Discriminating
Differentiating; distinctive; perceiving differences or distinctions with nicety; possessing discrimination; perceptive and judicious; making judgments about quality; having or showing refined taste or good judgment
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Discuss
Examine by argument; sift the considerations for and against; debate; talk or write about a topic, including a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses; consider, taking into account different issues and ideas, points for and/or against, and supporting opinions or conclusions with evidence
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Disjointed
Disconnected; incoherent; lacking a coherent order/sequence or connection
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Displacement
A vector quantity representing the location of the destination relative to the origin of motion only, irrespective of the path actually negotiated between the two points
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Distance
The total length of the pathway taken between the origin and the destination point
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Distinguish
Recognise as distinct or different; note points of difference between; discriminate; discern; make clear a difference/s between two or more concepts or items
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Diverse
Of various kinds or forms; different from each other
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Document
Support (e.g. an assertion, claim, statement) with evidence (e.g. decisive information, written references, citations)
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Draw conclusions
Make a judgment based on reasoning and evidence
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Drone
A powered, aerial vehicle that does not carry a human operator, uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift, can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely, can be expendable or recoverable, and can carry a payload
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Dynamics
Concerned with the study of forces (linear) and torques (rotational) and their effect on motion
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E
Effective
Successful in producing the intended, desired or expected result; meeting the assigned purpose
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Efficient
Working in a well-organised and competent way; maximum productivity with minimal expenditure of effort; acting or producing effectively with a minimum of waste, expense or unnecessary effort
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Elementary
Simple or uncompounded; relating to or dealing with elements, rudiments or first principles (of a subject); of the most basic kind; straightforward and uncomplicated
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Elements
Constituent parts of a more complex whole; a fundamental, essential or irreducible part of a composite entity; two or more elements make a component
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Energy
The potential to move or bring about changes; the higher the energy content, the greater the impact when it is transformed or transferred
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Engineering
The application of scientific, physical, mechanical and mathematical principles as a part of the process of developing and maintaining solutions, products, structures and systems that improve quality of life
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Engineering drawings
Technical drawings used to fully and clearly define requirements for engineered items; their purpose is to capture all the geometric features of a product or a component and required for a manufacturer to produce that component
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Equilibrium
A particle is in mechanical equilibrium if the net force on that particle is zero; by extension, a physical system made up of many parts is in mechanical equilibrium if the net force on each of its individual parts is zero
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Erroneous
Based on or containing error; mistaken; incorrect
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Essential
Absolutely necessary; indispensable; of critical importance for achieving something
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Ethical
Relating to moral principles that govern a person's or a group's behaviour
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Evaluate
Make an appraisal by weighing up or assessing strengths, implications and limitations; make judgments about ideas, works, solutions or methods in relation to selected criteria; examine and determine the merit, value or significance of something, based on criteria
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Examination
A supervised test that assesses the application of a range of cognitions to one or more provided items such as questions, scenarios and/or problems; student responses are completed individually, under supervised conditions, and in a set timeframe
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Examine
Investigate, inspect or scrutinise; inquire or search into; consider or discuss an argument or concept in a way that uncovers the assumptions and interrelationships of the issue
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Experiment
Try out or test new ideas or methods, especially in order to discover or prove something; undertake or perform a scientific procedure to test a hypothesis, make a discovery or demonstrate a known fact
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Explain
Make an idea or situation plain or clear by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts; give an account; provide additional information
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Explicit
Clearly and distinctly expressing all that is meant; unequivocal; clearly developed or formulated; leaving nothing merely implied or suggested
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Explore
Look into both closely and broadly; scrutinise; inquire into or discuss something in detail
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Express
Convey, show or communicate (e.g. a thought, opinion, feeling, emotion, idea or viewpoint) in words, art, music or movement, convey or suggest a representation of; depict
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Extended Response
An open-ended assessment technique that focuses on the interpretation, analysis, examination and/or evaluation of ideas and information in response to a particular situation or stimulus; while students may undertake some research when writing of the extended response, it is not the focus of this technique; an extended response occurs over an extended and defined period of time
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Extension Subject
A two-unit subject (Units 3 and 4) for which a syllabus has been developed by QCAA, that is an extension of one or more General subject/s, studied concurrently with, Units 3 and 4 of that subject or after completion of, Units 3 and 4 of that subject
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Extensive
Of great extent; wide; broad; far-reaching; comprehensive; lengthy; detailed; large in amount or scale
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External Assessment
Summative assessment that occurs towards the end of a course of study and is common to all schools; developed and marked by the QCAA according to a commonly applied marking scheme
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External Examination
A supervised test, developed and marked by the QCAA, that assesses the application of a range of cognitions to multiple provided items such as questions, scenarios and/or problems; student responses are completed individually, under supervised conditions, and in a set timeframe
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Extrapolate
Infer or estimate by extending or projecting known information; conjecture; infer from what is known; extend the application of something (e.g. a method or conclusion) to an unknown situation by assuming that existing trends will continue or similar methods will be applicable
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F
Factor of Safety
The ratio of the yield stress of a member or piece of material to the actual working stress or the maximum permissible stress when in use
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Factual
Relating to or based on facts; concerned with what is actually the case; actually occurring; having verified existence
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Familiar
Well-acquainted; thoroughly conversant with; well known from long or close association; often encountered or experienced; common; (of materials, texts, skills or circumstances) having been the focus of learning experiences or previously encountered in prior learning activities
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Feasible
Capable of being achieved, accomplished or put into effect; reasonable enough to be believed or accepted; probable; likely
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Features
Prominent or conspicuous elements, components or characteristics of a structured whole
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Flow Chart
A diagram that shows step-by-step progression through a procedure or system especially using connecting lines, arrows and a set of conventional symbols; used to illustrate a solution model to a given problem
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Fluent
Spoken or written with ease; able to speak or write smoothly, easily or readily; articulate; eloquent; in artistic performance, characteristic of a highly developed and excellently controlled technique; flowing; polished; flowing smoothly, easily and effortlessly
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Fluently
In a graceful and seemingly effortless manner; in a way that progresses smoothly and readily
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Force
A push or pull between objects, which may cause one or both objects to change speed and/or the direction of their motion (i.e. accelerate) or change their shape; scientists identify four fundamental forces: the gravitational, the electromagnetic (involving both electrostatic and magnetic forces), the weak nuclear forces and the strong nuclear forces; all interactions between matter can be explained as the action of one, or a combination, of the four fundamental forces
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Force Diagram
Also free-body diagram; a graphical illustration used to visualise the applied forces, movements and resulting reactions on a body in a steady state condition (no acceleration of the system); depict a body or connected bodies with all of the applied forces and moments, as well as reactions, that act on a body or bodies
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Formative Assessment
Assessment whose major purpose is to improve teaching and student achievement
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Fragmented
Disorganised; broken down; disjointed or isolated
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Free-body Diagram
Also force diagram; a graphical illustration used to visualise the applied forces, movements and resulting reactions on a body in a steady state condition (no acceleration of the system); depict a body or connected bodies with all of the applied forces and moments, as well as reactions, that act on a body or bodies
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Frequent
Happening or occurring often at short intervals; constant, habitual, or regular
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Fundamental
Forming a necessary base or core; of central importance; affecting or relating to the essential nature of something; part of a foundation or basis
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G
Gantt Chart
A visual representation of a project schedule; a type of bar chart, a Gantt chart shows the start and finish dates of the different required elements of a project
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General Subject
A subject for which a syllabus has been developed by the QCAA with the following characteristics: results from courses developed from General syllabuses contribute to the QCE; General subjects have an external assessment component; results may contribute to ATAR calculations
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Generate
Produce; create; bring into existence
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H
I
ISMG
Instrument-specific marking guide; a tool for marking that describes the characteristics evident in student responses and aligns with the identified objectives for the assessment (see 'assessment objectives')
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Identify
Distinguish; locate, recognize and name; establish or indicate who or what someone or something is; provide an answer from a number of possibilities; recognize and state a distinguishing factor or feature
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Illogical
Lacking sense or sound reasoning; contrary to or disregardful of the rules of logic; unreasonable
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Implement
Put something into effect, e.g. a plan or proposal
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Implicit
Implied, rather than expressly stated; not plainly expressed; capable of being inferred from something else
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Improbable
Not probable; unlikely to be true or to happen; not easy to believe
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In-depth
Comprehensive and with thorough coverage; extensive or profound; well-balanced or fully developed
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Inaccurate
Not accurate
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Inappropriate
Not suitable or proper in the circumstances
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Inconsistent
Lacking agreement, as one thing with another, or two or more things in relation to each other; at variance; not consistent; not in keeping; not in accordance; incompatible, incongruous
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Independent
Thinking or acting for oneself, not influenced by others
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Industrial control systems
A general term that encompasses several types of control systems and associated instrumentation used in industrial production, including supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, distributed control systems (DCS), and other smaller control system configurations such as programmable logic controllers (PLC) often found in the industrial sector
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Infer
Derive or conclude something from evidence and reasoning, rather than from explicit statements; listen or read beyond what has been literally expressed; imply or hint at
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Informed
Knowledgeable; learned; having relevant knowledge; being conversant with the topic; based on an understanding of the facts of the situation (of a decision or judgment)
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Innovation
Either something new or a change made to an existing product, process, idea, or field
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Innovative
New and original; introducing new ideas; original and creative in thinking
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Input
Something put into a system to activate or modify a process, e.g. people, raw materials, power, energy, money, time, equipment, software or data
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Insightful
Showing understanding of a situation or process; understanding relationships in complex situations; informed by observation and deduction
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Instrument-specific marking guide
ISMG; a tool for marking that describes the characteristics evident in student responses and aligns with the identified objectives for the assessment (see 'assessment objectives')
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Integral
Adjective necessary for the completeness of the whole; essential or fundamental; noun in mathematics, the result of integration; an expression from which a given function, equation, or system of equations is derived by differentiation
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Intelligent robotics
Concerns the melding of artificial perception, strategic reasoning and robotic action in potentially unstructured and time-varying environments to fulfil useful physical tasks, whether in industry or for security, healthcare, search and rescue or civil defence etc.
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Intelligent sensors
Sensor device that is able to perform a number of intelligent functions as part of its task or duty; able to self-test, self-validate and self-adapt as well as self-identify; understand the environment they are put into and can manage a wide range of conditions
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Intended
Designed, meant; done on purpose, intentional
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Internal assessment
Assessments that are developed by schools; summative internal assessments are endorsed by the QCAA before use in schools and results externally confirmed contribute towards a student's final result
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Interpret
Use knowledge and understanding to recognise trends and draw conclusions from given information; make clear or explicit; elucidate or understand in a particular way; bring out the meaning of, e.g. a dramatic or musical work, by performance or execution; bring out the meaning of an artwork by artistic representation or performance; give one's down interpretation of; identify or draw meaning from, or give meaning to, information presented in various forms, such as words, symbols, pictures or graphs
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Investigate
Carry out an examination or formal inquiry in order to establish or obtain facts and reach new conclusions; search, inquire into, interpret and draw conclusions about data and information
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Investigation
An assessment technique that requires students to research a specific problem, question, issue, design challenge or hypothesis through the collection, analysis and synthesis of primary and/or secondary data; it uses research or investigative practices to assess a range of cognitions in a particular context; an investigation occurs over an extended and defined period of time
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Irrelevant
Not relevant; not applicable or pertinent; not connected with or relevant to something
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Isolated
Detached, separate, or unconnected with other things; one-off; something set apart or characterised as different in some way
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Iterative
Recursive; revisiting earlier parts of a process to further clarify meaning or refine ideas and solutions
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J
Judge
Form an opinion or conclusion about; apply both procedural and deliberative operations to make a determination
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Justified
Sound reasons or evidence are provided to support an argument, statement or conclusion
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Justify
Give reasons or evidence to support an answer, response or conclusion; show or prove how an argument, statement or conclusion is right or reasonable
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K
Kinetic energy
The energy associated with the movement of an object
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L
LVL
Laminated veneer lumber; a high-strength engineered wood product used primarily for structural applications; comparable in strength to solid timber, concrete and steel; manufactured by bonding together rotary peeled or sliced thin wood veneers under heat and pressure
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Laminated veneer lumber
LVL; a high-strength engineered wood product used primarily for structural applications; comparable in strength to solid timber, concrete and steel; manufactured by bonding together rotary peeled or sliced thin wood veneers under heat and pressure
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Law
A statement describing invariable relationships between phenomena in specified conditions, frequently expressed mathematically
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Learning area
A grouping of subjects, with related characteristics, within a broad field of learning, e.g. the Arts, sciences, languages
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Levers
Rigid bodies capable of rotating on a point on themselves to amplify an input force to provide a greater output force, which is said to provide leverage
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Life cycle assessment
Assessing a product's full environmental cost/impact over the life cycle of the product (cradle-to-grave or cradle-to-cradle); includes extracting and processing materials, manufacturing, transporting and distribution, use, reuse and maintenance, recycling and final disposal; quantifies the environmental impact rather than the financial impact
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Linear motion
Straight line motion or an idealisation of approximately straight line motion when an object moves from one place to another
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Logical
Rational and valid; internally consistent; reasonable; reasoning in accordance with the principles/rules of logic or formal argument; characterised by or capable of clear, sound reasoning; (of an action, decision, etc.) expected or sensible under the circumstances
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Logically
According to the rules of logic or formal argument; in a way that shows clear, sound reasoning; in a way that is expected or sensible
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M
Machines
Apparatus using mechanical power and having several parts, each with a definite function and together performing a particular task
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Make decisions
Select from available options; weigh up positives and negatives of each option and consider all the alternatives to arrive at a position
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Manipulate
Adapt or change to suit one
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Mass
The measure of an object
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Material
A substance from which a thing is or can be made, ie. natural (e.g. animals, food, fibre, timber, mineral) or fabricated (e.g. metal alloys, plastics, textiles, composites); materials are used to create products or environments, and their structure can be manipulated by applying knowledge of their origins, structure, characteristics, properties and uses
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Materials science
Study of the nature, properties and classification of materials, their use in science and the development of technologies, and of the various mechanisms used for modifying materials
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Matter
Anything that has mass and volume (occupies space)
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Mechanical advantage
A measure of the force amplification achieved by using a tool, mechanical device or machine system; ideally, the device preserves the input power and simply trades off forces against movement to obtain a desired amplification in the output force; the model for this is the law of the lever
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Mechanics
Study of the application of mechanics to solve problems involving common engineering elements; covers the effects of forces on the condition of machines, structures, and their components when at rest or in motion, particularly the mechanics of rigid structures, machines and components
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Mechanisms
A system of parts working together in a machine; pieces of machinery
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Mental Procedures
A domain of knowledge in Marzano's taxonomy, and acted upon by the cognitive, metacognitive and self-systems; sometimes referred to as 'procedural knowledge'; there are three distinct phases to the acquisition of mental procedures — the cognitive stage, the associative stage, and the autonomous stage; the two categories of mental procedures are skills (single rules, algorithms and tactics) and processes (macroprocedures)
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Metal
A solid material that is typically solid at ordinary temperatures, lustrous on a freshly cut surface, malleable, fusible and ductile to some degree, usually with good electrical and thermal conductivity, e.g. iron, gold, silver, and aluminium, and alloys such as steel
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Methodical
Performed, disposed or acting in a systematic way; orderly; characterised by method or order; performed or carried out systematically
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Mind Map
A purposeful diagram used to visually organise information; allows the abstract relationships between ideas to be explored and refined; visual representations may include images, words and parts of words; usually a central idea or concept is placed in the middle and associated ideas arranged around it
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Minimal
Least possible; small, the least amount; negligible
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Model
A representation that describes, simplifies, clarifies or provides an explanation of the workings, structure or relationships in an object, system or idea; can be either a physical model, such as a scale model of a car or house that shows the form of a final production design, and is made with tools, jigs and fixtures; or virtual, such as a simulator program that demonstrates the capabilities of a vending machine through interaction with a computer user
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Modify
Change the form or qualities of; make partial or minor changes to something
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Moment
The moment of a force about a point or axis provides a measure of the tendency of the force to cause an object to rotate about the point or axis
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Momentum
The product of an object's mass and its velocity
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Multimodal
Uses a combination of at least two modes (e.g. spoken, written), delivered at the same time, to communicate ideas and information to a live or virtual audience, for a particular purpose; the selected modes are integrated so that each mode contributes significantly to the response
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N
Nanotechnology
The study and application of extremely small elements at the scale of 1 to 100 nanometers
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Narrow
Limited in range or scope; lacking breadth of view; limited in amount; barely sufficient or adequate; restricted
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Newton’s Three Laws
1. An object at rest stays at rest unless acted on by an external force; 2. The direction of the acceleration of an object is in the direction of the net external force acting on it; 3. Forces always occur in equal and opposite pairs
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Non-concurrent Forces
Two or more forces whose magnitudes are equal but act in opposite directions with a common line of action
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Nuanced
Showing a subtle difference or distinction in expression, meaning, response, etc.; finely differentiated; characterised by subtle shades of meaning or expression; a subtle distinction, variation or quality; sensibility to, awareness of, or ability to express delicate shadings, as of meaning, feeling, or value
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O
Objectives
See 'syllabus objectives', 'unit objectives', 'assessment objectives'
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Obvious
Clearly perceptible or evident; easily seen, recognised or understood
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One-body Systems
Mechanics describes and predicts the conditions of rest or motion of a body subjected to a given force or system of forces (Schlenker & McKern 1976)
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Open-ended Problems
Loosely structured and complex, having no one correct solution or solution path, and requiring students to comprehend and apply a breadth and depth of knowledge during problem-solving
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Optimal
Best, most favourable, under a particular set of circumstances
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Organise
Arrange, order; form as or into a whole consisting of interdependent or coordinated parts, especially for harmonious or united action
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Organised
Systematically ordered and arranged; having a formal organisational structure to arrange, coordinate and carry out activities
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Orthographic
A scaled, multi-view drawings of a 3D object to show each view separately in a series of 2D drawings, e.g. top or bottom, front, back and sides; in Australia, orthogonal drawings use third-angle projection for layout of the views; orthogonal drawings may also include the measurements on each view and are used to develop lists of material requirements; in these drawings, each edge is represented by a connected line, each segment of which is parallel to a coordinate axis
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Output
A result of something (physical or virtual) such as power, energy, action, material or information produced by a person, machine or a system
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Outstanding
Exceptionally good; clearly noticeable; prominent; conspicuous; striking
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P
Partial
Not total or general; existing only in part; attempted, but incomplete
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Particular
Distinguished or different from others or from the ordinary; noteworthy
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Perceptive
Having or showing insight and the ability to perceive or understand; discerning (see also 'discriminating')
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Performance
An assessment technique that requires students to demonstrate a range of cognitive, technical, creative and/or expressive skills and to apply theoretical and conceptual understandings, through the psychomotor domain; it involves student application of identified skills when responding to a task that involves solving a problem, providing a solution or conveying meaning or intent; a performance is developed over an extended and defined period of time
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Performance Index
A tabulated set of data that supports evaluation of a prototype solution's performance relative to success criteria
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Persuasive
Capable of changing someone's ideas, opinions or beliefs; appearing worthy of approval or acceptance; (of an argument or statement) communicating reasonably or credibly (see also 'convincing')
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Perusal Time
Time allocated in an assessment to reading items and tasks and associated assessment materials; no writing is allowed; students may not make notes and may not commence responding to the assessment in the response space/book
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Planning Time
Time allocated in an assessment to planning how to respond to items and tasks and associated assessment materials; students may make notes but may not commence responding to the assessment in the response space/book; notes made during planning are not collected, nor are they graded or used as evidence of achievement
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Polished
Flawless or excellent; performed with skilful ease
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Power
The rate at which work is done, or the rate at which energy is transferred or transformed; usually measured in watts
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Precise
Definite or exact; definitely or strictly stated, defined or fixed; characterised by definite or exact expression or execution
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Precision
Accuracy; exactness; exact observance of forms in conduct or actions
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Predict
Give an expected result of an upcoming action or event; suggest what may happen based on available information
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Principles
Specific types of generalisations that deal with relationships; a proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behaviour or for a chain of reasoning
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Problem-Solving Process
Consists of subject specific problem-solving processes (explore, develop, generate and evaluate) used to iteratively find solutions to difficult or complex problems or situations
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Product
An assessment technique that focuses on the output or result of a process requiring the application of a range of cognitive, physical, technical, creative and/or expressive skills, and theoretical and conceptual understandings; a product is developed over an extended and defined period of time; in Technologies, a designed solution; a tangible end result of a human, construction, mechanical, manufacturing or digital process; created by practical application of knowledge and skills
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Proficient
Well advanced or expert in any art, science or subject; competent, skilled or adept in doing or using something
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Project
An assessment technique that focuses on a problem-solving process requiring the application of a range of cognitive, technical and creative skills and theoretical understandings; the response is a coherent work that documents the iterative process undertaken to develop a solution and includes written paragraphs and annotations, diagrams, sketches, drawings, photographs, video, spoken presentations, physical prototypes and/or models; a project is developed over an extended and defined period of time
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Project Manage
The act of planning, organising, controlling resources, monitoring timelines, and the processes used to generate a prototype solution to provide data that assesses the accuracy of predictions made concerning performance
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Project Management
A responsibility for planning, organising, controlling resources, monitoring timelines and activities, and completing a project to achieve a goal that meets identified criteria for judging success
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Property
Attribute of an object or material, normally used to describe attributes common to a group
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Propose
Put forward (e.g. a point of view, idea, argument, suggestion) for consideration or action
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Prototype
A trial solution to test an idea to inform further development; demonstrates the interaction of the components of a product, service or environment; its purpose is to identify if and how well a solution functions and can be tested by stakeholders
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Prove
Use a sequence of steps to obtain the required result in a formal way
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Psychomotor Procedures
A domain of knowledge in Marzano's taxonomy, and acted upon by the cognitive, metacognitive and self-systems; these are physical procedures used to negotiate daily life and to engage in complex physical activities; the two categories of psychomotor procedures are skills (foundational procedures and simple combination procedures) and processes (complex combination procedures)
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Purposeful
Having an intended or desired result; having a useful purpose; determined; resolute; full of meaning; significant; intentional
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Q
R
Rapid prototyping
A range of techniques used to quickly fabricate a scale model of a physical part or assembly using 3D computer-assisted design (CAD); construction of the part or assembly is usually done using 3D printing or additive layer manufacturing technology
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Realise
Create or make (e.g. a musical, artistic or dramatic work); actualise; make real or concrete; give reality or substance to
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Reasonable
Endowed with reason; having sound judgment; fair and sensible; based on good sense; average; appropriate, moderate
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Reasoned
Logical and sound; based on logic or good sense; logically thought out and presented with justification; guided by reason; well-grounded; considered
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Recall
Remember; present remembered ideas, facts or experiences; bring something back into thought, attention or into one's mind
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Recognise
Identify or recall particular features or information from knowledge; identify that an item, characteristic or quality exists; perceive as existing or true; be aware of or acknowledge
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Refine
To make partial or minor changes to something in order to improve it; modify in relation to selected criteria
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Refined
Developed or improved so as to be precise, exact or subtle
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Reflect on
Think about deeply and carefully
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Rehearsed
Practised; previously experienced; practised extensively
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Related
Associated with or linked to
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Relevance
Being related to the matter at hand
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Relevant
Bearing upon or connected with the matter in hand; to the purpose; applicable and pertinent; having a direct bearing on
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Reliability
Ability to be trusted to be accurate or correct or to provide a correct result
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Reliable
Constant and dependable or consistent and repeatable
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Repetitive
Containing or characterised by repetition, especially when unnecessary or tiresome
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Reporting
Providing information that succinctly describes student performance at different junctures throughout a course of study
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Resolve
In the Arts, consolidate and communicate intent through a synthesis of ideas and application of media to express meaning
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Resultant
The single force and associated torque obtained by combining a system of forces and torques acting on a rigid body; the defining feature of a resultant force, or resultant force-torque, is that it has the same effect on the rigid body as the original system of forces
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Robotics
A branch of engineering that involves the conception, design, manufacture, and operation of robots; this field overlaps with electronics, computer science, artificial intelligence, mechatronics, nanotechnology and bioengineering
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Routine
Often encountered, previously experienced; commonplace; customary and regular; well-practiced; performed as part of a regular procedure, rather than for a special reason
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Rudimentary
Relating to rudiments or first principles; elementary; undeveloped; involving or specifically basic principles; relating to an immature, undeveloped or basic form
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S
SI units
International System of Units; a standardised system of definitions and rules for writing and presenting measurements; comprises a coherent system of units of measurement built on seven base units; it defines twenty-two named units, and includes many more unnamed coherent derived units; also establishes a set of twenty prefixes to the unit names and unit symbols that may be used when specifying multiples and fractions of the units
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STEM
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics; typically used when addressing education policy and curriculum choices in schools to improve competitiveness in science and technology development
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Safe
Secure; not risky
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Scalar Quantity
Has magnitude but no direction, e.g. mass, volume and length are scalar quantities
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Schema
Describes the cognition used during aspects of problem-solving that organises information; a representation that records and clarifies thinking, e.g. mind maps
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Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
STEM; typically used when addressing education policy and curriculum choices in schools to improve competitiveness in science and technology development
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Secure
Sure; certain; able to be counted on; self-confident; poised; dependable; confident; assured; not liable to fail
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Select
Choose in preference to another or others; pick out
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Sensitive
Capable of perceiving with a sense or senses; aware of the attitudes, feelings or circumstances of others; having acute mental or emotional sensibility; relating to or connected with the senses or sensation
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Sequence
Place in a continuous or connected series; arrange in a particular order
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Show
Provide the relevant reasoning to support a response
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Significant
Important; of consequence; expressing a meaning; indicative; includes all that is important; sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention; noteworthy; having a particular meaning; indicative of something
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Simple
Easy to understand, deal with and use; not complex or complicated; plain; not elaborate or artificial; may concern a single or basic aspect; involving few elements, components or steps
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Simple Truss Frame Forms
Are rigid planar structures composed of slender members joined together at their end points to form a series of integrated triangles
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Simplistic
Characterised by extreme simplification, especially if misleading; oversimplified
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Simulation
A representation of a process, event or system that imitates a real or idealised situation
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Sketches
Drawings or paintings in simple form, giving essential features but not necessarily with detail or accuracy; in mathematics, represent by means of a diagram or graph; the sketch should give a general idea of the required shape or relationship and should include features; in Technologies, a two-dimensional formal visualisation method completed freehand, often instantly capturing an idea for later use and therefore lacking in presentation quality; sketches are usually produced manually, using pencil, ink and paper, but may be software-assisted
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Skilled
Having or showing the knowledge, ability or training to perform a certain activity or task well; having skill; trained or experienced; showing, involving or requiring skill
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Skillful
Having technical facility or practical ability; possessing, showing, involving or requiring skill; expert, dexterous; demonstrating the knowledge, ability or training to perform a certain activity or task well; trained, practised or experienced
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Solutions
Ideas, concepts, products, systems, components or processes that have been developed through a problem-solving process
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Solve
Find an answer to, explanation for, or means of dealing with (e.g. a problem); work out the answer or solution to (e.g. a mathematical problem); obtain the answer/s using algebraic, numerical and/or graphical methods
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Sophisticated
Of intellectual complexity; reflecting a high degree of skill, intelligence, etc.; employing advanced or refined methods or concepts; highly developed or complicated
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Specific
Clearly defined or identified; precise and clear in making statements or issuing instructions; having a special application or reference; explicit, or definite; peculiar or proper to something, as qualities, characteristics, effects, etc.
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Specifications
What the users of the product or service need in terms of features, functions, performance, constraints and quality; written in terms of what the product must do or qualities it must have
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Speed
The rate at which an object covers distance
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Sporadic
Happening now and again or at intervals; irregular or occasional; appearing in scattered or isolated instances
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Statics
The branch of mechanics concerned with the analysis of loads (force and torque, or moment) acting on physical systems that do not experience an acceleration, but are in static equilibrium with their environment; When in static equilibrium, the acceleration of the system is zero and the system is either at rest, or its centre of mass moves at constant velocity
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Straightforward
Without difficulty; uncomplicated; direct; easy to do or understand
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Structure
Give a pattern, organisation or arrangement to; construct or arrange according to a plan; an ordered assembly of elements, components and features that form an organised pattern or system
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Structured
Organised or arranged so as to produce a desired result
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Subject
A branch or area of knowledge or learning defined by a syllabus; school subjects are usually based in a discipline or field of study (see also 'course')
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Subject Matter
The subject-specific body of information, mental procedures and psychomotor procedures that are necessary for students' learning and engagement within that subject
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Substantial
Ample or considerable amount, quantity, size, etc.; of real worth or value; firmly or solidly established; of real significance; reliable; important; worthwhile
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Substantiated
Established by proof or competent evidence
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Subtle
Fine or delicate in meaning or intent; making use of indirect methods; not straightforward or obvious
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Success Criteria
A descriptive list of essential features against which success can be measured; the compilation of criteria involves literacy skills to select and use appropriate terminology
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Successful
Achieving or having achieved success; accomplishing a desired aim or result
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Succinct
Expressed in few words; concise; terse; characterised by conciseness or brevity; brief and clear
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Sufficient
Enough or adequate for the purpose
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Suitable
Appropriate; fitting; conforming or agreeing in nature, condition, or action
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Summarise
Give a brief statement of a general theme or major point/s; present ideas and information in fewer words and in sequence
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Summary Report
Provides a client with a concise account of the preferred solution including the key features and any recommendations made to inform future solution development; includes key pictures, tables, graphs, sketches and drawings
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Summative Assessment
Assessment whose major purpose is to indicate student achievement; summative assessments contribute towards a student's subject result
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Superficial
Concerned with or comprehending only what is on the surface or obvious; shallow; not profound, thorough, deep or complete; existing or occurring at or on the surface; cursory; lacking depth of character or understanding; apparent and sometimes trivial
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Supersonic Flight
Flight exceeding the speed of sound
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Supported
Corroborated; given greater credibility by providing evidence
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Sustainable
Supporting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to support their needs
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Sustainable Engineering
The process of designing or operating systems in ways that use energy and resources at a rate that does not compromise the natural environment, or the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
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Sustained
Carried on continuously, without interruption, or without any diminishing of intensity or extent
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Syllabus
A document that prescribes the curriculum for a course of study
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Syllabus Objectives
Outline what the school is required to teach and what students have the opportunity to learn; described in terms of actions that operate on the subject matter; the overarching objectives for a course of study (see also 'unit objectives', 'assessment objectives')
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Symbolise
Represent or identify by a symbol or symbols
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Synthesise
Combine different parts or elements (e.g. information, ideas, components) into a whole, in order to create new understanding
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Systematic
Done or acting according to a fixed plan or system; methodical; organised and logical; having, showing, or involving a system, method, or plan; characterised by system or method; methodical; arranged in, or comprising an ordered system
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T
Technical
Requiring special knowledge to be understood
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Technologies
Materials, data, systems, components, tools and equipment used to create solutions for identified needs and opportunities, and the knowledge, understanding and skills used by people involved in the selection and use of these
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Technology
The development of products, services and environments, using various types of knowledge, including computational, design, systems, social, ethical, economic, environmental, and sustainability knowledge to meet human needs and wants; the know-how and creative process that may use tools, systems and resources to solve problems and enhance control over the natural and man-made environment in an endeavour to improve the human condition (UNESCO 1985 cited in Ferguson 2009, p.7)
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Test
Take measures to check the quality, performance or reliability of something
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Thorough
Carried out through, or applied to the whole of something; carried out completely and carefully; including all that is required; complete with attention to every detail; not superficial or partial; performed or written with care and completeness; taking pains to do something carefully and completely
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Thoughtful
Occupied with, or given to thought; contemplative; meditative; reflective; characterised by or manifesting thought
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Topic
A division of, or sub-section within a unit; all topics/sub-topics within a unit are interrelated
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Truth tables
A mathematical table used in logic — specifically in connection with Boolean algebra, Boolean functions and propositional calculus to show whether a propositional expression is true for all legitimate input values, i.e. logically valid
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U
Unclear
Not clear or distinct; not easy to understand; obscure
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Understand
Perceive what is meant by something; grasp; be familiar with (e.g., an idea); construct meaning from messages, including oral, written and graphic communication
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Uneven
Unequal; not properly corresponding or agreeing; irregular; varying; not uniform; not equally balanced
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Unfamiliar
Not previously encountered; situations or materials that have not been the focus of prior learning experiences or activities
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Unit
A defined amount of subject matter delivered in a specific context or with a particular focus; it includes unit objectives particular to the unit, subject matter and assessment direction
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Unit Objectives
Drawn from the syllabus objectives and contextualised for the subject matter and requirements of a particular unit; they are assessed at least once in the unit
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Unrelated
Having no relationship; unconnected
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Use
Operate or put into effect; apply knowledge or rules to put theory into practice
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V
Vague
Not definite in statement or meaning; not explicit or precise; not definitely fixed, determined or known; of uncertain, indefinite or unclear character or meaning; not clear in thought or understanding; couched in general or indefinite terms; not definitely or precisely expressed; deficient in details or particulars; thinking or communicating in an unfocused or imprecise way
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Valid
Sound, just or well-founded; authoritative; having a sound basis in logic or fact (of an argument or point); reasonable or cogent; able to be supported; legitimate and defensible; applicable
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Variable
Adjective: apt or liable to vary or change; changeable; inconsistent; (readily) susceptible or capable of variation; fluctuating, uncertain; Noun: in mathematics, a symbol, or the quantity it signifies, that may represent any one of a given set of number and other objects
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Variety
A number or range of things of different kinds, or the same general class, that are distinct in character or quality; (of sources) a number of different modes or references
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Vector Quantity
A quantity that has both magnitude and direction and obeys the parallelogram law of addition, e.g. force is a vector quantity; a vector may be represented by an arrowed line segment
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Velocity
The rate at which an object changes its position
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Velocity Ratio
The ratio of the distance moved by the point of application of the effort to the distance moved by the load in a simple machine
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W
Weight
The weight of an object is the force on the object due to gravity measured in newtons, e.g., an object with a mass of one kilogram has a weight of approximately 9.8 newtons on the surface of the Earth
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Wide
Of great range or scope; embracing a great number or variety of subjects, cases, etc.; of full extent
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With Expression
In words, art, music or movement, conveying or indicating feeling, spirit, character, etc.; a way of expressing or representing something; vivid, effective or persuasive communication
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Work
In physics, a concept that relates force to energy; defined as the product of a force and the displacement (distance in practical terms) of an object on which it acts
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