Course Purpose:
VCE Food Studies equips students to become informed and capable food citizens. They develop practical food skills, apply nutrition and food science principles, and critically evaluate food information, trends, and systems. Students explore food origins, cultures, production systems, and the diverse influences shaping food choices, while considering sustainability and ethical, legal, and political issues.

Unit 1: Food Around the World
Global Origins of Food:
Students explore early food production and the cultural significance of food, focusing on natural resources, climate, and social factors in one selected global region (excluding Australia).
Practical activities highlight traditional ingredients and culinary adaptations.

Food in Australia:
Students investigate the history of food in Australia, from Indigenous practices to the influence of European settlers and immigrant communities. They assess how Australia's food culture has evolved and reflect on the notion of a unique national cuisine.
Practical tasks explore Indigenous ingredients and migrant cuisines, linking history to contemporary practices.

Unit 2: Australia’s Food Systems
Commercial Food Production:
Students study Australia’s food system from farming to consumption, including packaging, distribution, retail, marketing, and waste. They examine the industry's role in the economy, sustainability, food security, and innovation.
Practical activities involve product development through design briefs, applying commercial production principles.

Food in the Home:
Focus shifts to domestic food production. Students compare food prepared in different contexts, use food science to understand preparation methods, and adapt recipes for various dietary needs.
Hands-on tasks encourage experimentation and entrepreneurship, with potential for scaling to commercial contexts.

This subject helps you learn how to design, build and fix cool technology systems. You’ll get to work on hands-on projects that will help you think outside the box and solve problems following the design process. You’ll also learn about different types of energy production, new and emerging technologies, and how we can design for a greener/cleaner future. Throughout the course, you’ll use maths, science and technical skills to complete practical tasks.
It’s a fun way to become more tech savvy and explore new ideas!

Unit 1: Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals
In this first unit, you’ll learn the basics of mechanical engineering. You’ll explore how simple machines work and discover the principles behind more complex devices. You’ll also study how physics and maths can help explain the physical characteristics of these machines.
The best part is that you’ll get to use this knowledge to design and build your very own functional systems like:

• Trebuchets
• Can crushers
• Catapults
• Fishing reels
• Lock boxes

So get ready to roll up your sleeves and get hands on with mechanical engineering!

Unit 2: Electro technology Engineering Fundamentals
In this unit, you’ll learn about electrical and electronic circuits, which are collectively known as electro-technology. You’ll gain a solid understanding of the fundamental principles behind these systems and you’ll learn how to apply your knowledge to create basic operational systems like:

• Bluetooth speakers
• Keyboards
• Guitar pedals
• Furbies
• Disco lights
• Video game controllers
• VR Headsets

Product Design and Technology is for students who are curious about how things are designed and made. You will work as part of a team to design a project that enhances the school community, and also an individual project.
This subject develops your skills as a designer-maker, teaching you how to apply design thinking to real-world problems. You’ll learn how to take an idea from concept to creation, using the design process to research, generate ideas, design using technical conventions, prototype, and evaluate. You’ll build both your creative designing and practical construction skills through Theoretical and hands-on projects using materials like wood, metal and more.
Key Focus Areas:
• Design Thinking: A structured approach to solving problems creatively and effectively.
• The Design Process: Work through a clear framework — from identifying a need to producing a final product.
• Practical and Digital Skills: Develop abilities in drawing, CAD, testing, and fabrication using industry-relevant tools.
• Analysis of Design Practices: Investigate how professional designers solve problems, work sustainably, and innovate.
• Material Knowledge: Learn how to choose and use materials and tools based on function, aesthetics, and sustainability.
Across Units 1 and 2, you’ll complete individual and collaborative projects that challenge your creativity, technical ability, and problem-solving skills. This subject lays the foundation for further study in Unit 3 & 4 and connects to pathways in design, construction, manufacturing, and product development.
If you enjoy thinking differently, working hands-on, and designing for a purpose — this subject will give you the tools to turn ideas into real-world products.

Completing VCE Food Studies enables students to:

develop as informed, discerning and capable food citizens
build practical food skills in the planning, preparation, evaluation and enjoyment of food
apply principles of nutrition, food science and sensory evaluation to food planning and preparation
extend understanding of food origins, cultures, customs and behaviours
understand global and local systems of food production, distribution and governance
develop awareness of a diverse range of influences on food choices
research and discuss issues relating to sustainability, and the legal, economic, psychological, sociocultural, health, ethical and political dimensions of our food systems
analyse and draw evidence-based conclusions in response to food information, food advertising
and current food trends.

Unit 3
The science of food
In this area of study students focus on the science of food, underpinned by practical activities. They investigate the science of food appreciation, physiology of digestion, absorption and utilisation of macronutrients: carbohydrates, including dietary fibre, fats and proteins.

Students develop their capacity to analyse advice on food choices through investigating food allergies and intolerances, and the science behind the nutritional rationale and evidence-based recommendations of the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

They apply this knowledge in the exploration of diets, which cater for a diverse range of needs, and in the analysis of practical activities. They explain the influence of diet on gut microbiota and how gut health contributes to overall health and wellbeing.

Food choices, health and wellbeing
In this area of study students focus on patterns of eating in Australia and the influences on the food we eat.

Students look at relationships between social factors and food access and choices, as well as the social and emotional roles of food in shaping and expressing identity and how food may link to psychological factors.

They inquire into the role of politics and media as influences on the formation of food habits, beliefs and food sovereignty. Students investigate the principles of encouraging healthy food patterns in children and undertake practical activities to develop a repertoire of healthy meals suitable for children and families.

Unit 4
Navigating food information
In this area of study students focus on food information and misinformation and the development of food knowledge, skills and habits. Students learn to assess information and draw evidence-based conclusions

to navigate contemporary food fads, trends and diets. They reflect on a selected food fad, trend or diet and assess its credibility and the reliability of its claims, taking into consideration the principles of evidence-based research and healthy eating recommendations that support the Australian Dietary Guidelines and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.

Students practise and improve their food selection skills by interpreting the claims of food labels and interrogating the marketing terms on food packaging.

Practical activities provide opportunities for students to extend their understandings about food selections and repertoires that reflect the healthy eating recommendations of Australian Dietary Guidelines.

Environment and ethics
In this area of study students address debates concerning Australian and global food systems, relating to issues on the environment, ethics, innovations and technologies, food access, food safety, and the use of agricultural resources.

Students explore a range of debates through identifying issues, forming an understanding of current situations and considering possible futures.

They research one selected debate in depth, seeking clarity on disparate points of view, considering proposed solutions and analysing work undertaken to solve problems and support sustainable futures. Students will consider environmental and ethical issues relating to the selected debate and apply their responses in practical ways.

This subject helps you learn how to design, build and fix cool technology systems. You’ll get to work on hands-on projects that will help you think outside the box and solve problems following the design process. You’ll also learn about different types of energy production, new and emerging technologies, and how we can design for a greener/cleaner future. Throughout the course, you’ll use maths, science and technical skills to complete practical tasks.
It’s a fun way to become more tech savvy and explore new ideas!
Units 3 and 4: Integrated Systems
In these units, you’ll learn about how different types of technologies can work together to create amazing machines and devices. We’ll focus on how mechanical systems and electronical systems can be combined to make something really cool!

You’ll have the chance to work on a big project across both units.
Previous students have made:

Prosthetic limbs
Animatronic puppets
RC cars
RC planes
Drones
Electric guitars
You’ll also learn about different types of energy production, new and emerging technologies and how we can design for a greener/cleaner future. Get ready to see how different technologies can come together to make something really awesome!

Career Options

There are so many cool career options in the field of technology and engineering! You could become an engineer and design amazing machines and structures. You could work in robotics, automation or control technologies and create robots that can do all sorts of things.

Or maybe you’re interested in energy management and want to help find new ways to power our world.

If you love aviation you could work in the aviation industry and design planes or maintain them. You could also work as an industrial engineer or in theatre and special effects to create amazing visual experiences.

There are also many trades to explore, like electrical trades, electro technology, hydraulics and pneumatics, mechanical work, diesel technician, automotive industry, telecommunications industry, refrigeration and air conditioning, and maintenance fitting.
The possibilities are endless!