Post on 27-Mar-2015
Technology and Engineering
Understanding Technology
Technology Design Skills
Technology and Society
Table of Contents
Technology and Engineering - Understanding Technology
How Does Technology Relate to Science?
Science is the study of the natural world to understand how it functions. Technology, on the other hand, changes, or modifies, the natural world to meet human needs or to solve problems. For example, understanding the physics of light (science) led to the development of optical fibers and endoscopes (technology).
Technology and Engineering
Technology, such as writing or word-processing technology, is always changing. Technology progresses as people’s knowledge increases and as new needs can be satisfied.
- Understanding Technology
How Technology Progresses
Technology and Engineering
When you preview, you look ahead at the material to be read. Preview the figure Science and Technology. Then write two questions you have about the diagram in a graphic organizer like the one below. As you read, answer your questions.
Q. What does technology have to do with science?
A. Advances in technology contribute to advances in science.
- Understanding Technology
Q. How does science affect technology?
A. Advances in science contribute to advances in technology.
Science and Technology
Previewing Visuals
Technology and Engineering
Links on Technology
Click the SciLinks button for links on technology.
- Understanding Technology
Technology and Engineering
End of Section:Understanding
Technology
Technology and Engineering - Technology Design Skills
Identifying a Need
When engineers identify a need, they clearly define the problem they are trying to solve.
Technology and Engineering - Technology Design Skills
Researching the Problem
After defining a problem, engineers need to research it fully. When engineers research a problem, they gather information that will help them in their tasks.
Technology and Engineering - Technology Design Skills
Designing a Solution
Brainstorming leads to several possible design solutions. Sketching and modeling help engineers visualize different designs.
Technology and Engineering - Technology Design Skills
Designing a Solution
In choosing the best design, engineers must evaluate constraints and make trade-offs. Engineers sometimes have to repeat one or more steps.
Technology and Engineering - Technology Design Skills
Building a Prototype
Prototypes are used to test the operation of a product, including how well it works, how long it lasts, and how safe it is to use.
Technology and Engineering - Technology Design Skills
Troubleshooting and Redesigning
The next stage in the design process is to identify the causes of any problems and to re-design the product to address the problems.
Technology and Engineering - Technology Design Skills
Communicating the SolutionEngineers must communicate to consumers how a product meets their needs. They must also communicate with those involved in bringing the product to consumers.
Technology and Engineering - Technology Design Skills
Patents
A patent is a legal document issued by a government that gives the inventor exclusive rights to make, use, or sell the invention for a limited time.
Technology and Engineering
SequencingSequence is the order in which a series of events occurs. As you read, make a flowchart that shows the steps in the technology design process. Put the steps of the process in separate boxes in the flowchart in the order in which they typically occur.
The Technology Design Process
Identify the need.
Research the problem.
Design a solution.
Build a prototype.
Troubleshoot and redesign.
Communicate the solution.
- Technology Design Skills
Technology and Engineering
End of Section:Technology
Design Skills
Technology and Engineering
Working on the Farm
The graph shows the percentage of workers who worked on farms between the years 1860 and 2000. Use the graph to answer the following questions.
- Technology and Society
Technology and Engineering
Working on the Farm
Year, from 1860 to 2000
Reading Graphs:
What factor is plotted on the horizontal axis?
- Technology and Society
Technology and Engineering
Working on the Farm
Percentage of total workers in the United States who are farm workers
Reading Graphs:
What factor is plotted on the vertical axis?
- Technology and Society
Technology and Engineering
Working on the Farm
1860
Interpreting Data:
Of the years shown on the graph, in which year was the percentage of farm workers highest?
- Technology and Society
Technology and Engineering
Working on the Farm
2000
Interpreting Data:
In which year was the percentage lowest?
- Technology and Society
Technology and Engineering
Working on the Farm
It decreased from about45 percent to about2 percent, or a reduction of about 43 percent of the total workforce.
Calculating:
By how much did the percentage of farm workers change between 1860 and 2000?
- Technology and Society
Technology and Engineering
Working on the Farm
The percentage of farm workers in the total workforce of the United States has declined steadily from 1860 to 2000.
Drawing Conclusions:
What trend does the graph show?
- Technology and Society
Technology and Engineering
Working on the Farm
The progress of technology, including the advance of tractors and other machinery, reduced significantly the need for workers on farms over the last 150 years.
Inferring:
Based on what you know about technological advances, how would you explain the trend shown in the graph?
- Technology and Society
Technology and Engineering - Technology and Society
Analyzing Risks and Benefits
Should you use headphones? Evaluating the risks and benefits can help you decide.
Technology and Engineering
Cause
Effects
As you read, identify one positive and one negative effect of each technology discussed in this section. Write the information in a graphic organizer like the one below.
Invention of air bags
Positive effect: saves lives
Negative effect: can cause injury or death
Invention of steam-powered looms
Positive effect: greater production
Negative effect: loss of jobs
Pesticide application
Positive effect: protects crops
Negative effect: harmful to plants and animals
Invention of tractors
Positive effect: can plow more land
Negative effect: loss of farm jobs
Invention of computers
Positive effect: workers can do more
Negative effect: quickens pace of life
- Technology and Society
Relating Cause and Effect
Technology and Engineering
Links on Technology and Society
Click the SciLinks button for links on technology and society.
- Technology and Society
Technology and Engineering
End of Section:Technology and
Society
Technology and Engineering
Graphic Organizer
Science Technology
Study of the natural world
Rely on each other
To understand how it functions
Changing the natural world
To meet human needs and solve problems
Technology and Engineering
End of Section:Graphic Organizer