Introduction to Engineering and
Technology Concepts
Unit Two
Chapter One – The Ups and
Downs of Technology

• Each chapter of every unit will begin with a “Mindjog.”
This is a warm up question that you should answer in your workbook in the proper chapter.
• Please take notes as you move through the presentations in the notebook that has been provided.
• Sections will come up in each presentation with an assignment notice. Turn to the section detailed on the slide in your workbook and complete the assignment before proceeding.
• Good luck!

• Students will analyze how technology creates new economic opportunities and social benefits and, at the same time, produces new social problems.

• On your worksheet, please respond to the following question:
• “If a technology company got official permission to construct a new artifact in your backyard, what 10 questions might you ask the company?”

Refresh on Problematic Outputs
• One thing we stated in Unit 1 was the idea that outputs such as waste and pollution are problematic when producing artifacts.
• Consider…

Consider…
• Consider that the state you are living in is proposing the creation of a new road in the country to cut down traffic time to and from the city. Sounds good, right?
• We know that this will produce new work for job seekers in various areas.
• We also know that this is making human life easier.
• Still, we do not think of other aspects of this road development…

Consider (continued)...
• First, those living in that part of the country side will have to deal with noise pollution during construction and eventually with the traffic.
• Second, any wild life living in that area will have to relocate to nest due to the removal of natural resources and the aforementioned noise.
• Third, the arrival of cars will only bring other pollutants that come along with cars, trucks, and traffic jams.

What Can We Do?!
• Before technologies are developed, the general public is normally made aware.
• These citizens have to make informed decisions about the development, and there must be a defense and rationalization regarding it:
• Who will have access to the technology?
• Who will control it?
• What are the costs of not developing or using it?
• Who will benefit and who will lose by the technology?
• What will the impact of the technology be on my family, my community, and me?

More Responsibilities
• And the responsibilities not only fall to the public, but to the creators who are planning the technology.
• This can come in the form of the planning process that were discussed in Unit One,
Chapter 2:
• The problem solving, production, and management processes
(Wright, 2004)

Negative Outputs
• In an earlier chapter, we stated that certain outputs can be considered pollutants to the environment.
• Again, everyone must take a stand to reduce the negative consequences of these technologies.
• Realize that people living in major cities rarely see clear skies as their vision is often reduced by haze and their health if affected by smog.
• For reasons such as the one above, engineers, activists, and politicians are all trying to develop technologies designed to reduce these negative consequences.
• Consider recycling technologies, where materials in a product can be reclaimed
( Wright, 2004).

Assignment #1
• Please turn to the section in your workbook entitled, “Unit Two, Chapter
One – The Ups and Downs of
Technology.”
• Complete the extension questions under the “Assignment #1” header before moving onto the next section of slides.

BEFORE MOVING ON:
• Did you complete the “Assignment #1”
Section under the “Unit Two, Chapter
One – The Ups and Downs of
Technology” section of your workbook?
• If you have, please proceed to the next slide.

• Please close this presentation and launch the file entitled, “Chapter 2 – How It’s
Designed.”

• Wright, R. (2004) “ Technology ” The
Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc.