Scientists Technologists Investigate our natural world Apply science and math to designs STEM Working together to solve problems based on societal needs and wants Mathematicians Use numbers and symbols to solve problems Engineers Create our designed world Science vs. Technology • Scientists investigate our natural world • Engineers help create the humandesigned world • Technology (or technologies) denotes the products and processes created by an engineer and often used by a scientist (the “stuff” or “things” we use) How are each of them needed to Create a Product? Example Pencil Science Resources Technology Idea Engineering Design, using your idea with the resources you have Math Size and shape Dimensions How are each of them needed to Create a Product? Example Pencil Science Discovery of graphite and the fact that rubber (an eraser) will remove graphite Technology Creating a writing device that doesn’t use ink Engineering Designing a device with a graphite insert, an exterior holder, and an attached eraser Math What is the optimal length, diameter, or shape for the device? Science…Math… • Knowledge of science and math is necessary for the creation of new technologies • People working in multiple career areas helped put the cereal you may have eaten this morning • Think about the tables and or chairs you may have used so far today. Scientists…Engineers… • Information from a scientist helped the farmer to plant, grow, and harvest the grains (corn, oats, wheat, rice, and barley) • The responsibility of an engineer includes designing the equipment used to harvest the grain and designing the factory where the grain was processed into what you eat today Engineers…Technologists… • An engineering technologist built the factory, built the tools and equipment necessary for converting the grains into cereal • Engineering technologists were part of a team that built the farm equipment (that an engineer designed) Mathematicians… • All along the way, mathematicians were needed to solve problems…like how big the factory should be or how much cereal should go in one box • Have you ever noticed that most cereal boxes are the same width, but they vary in height and/or thickness? Why do you think these particular dimensions are chosen? What is Engineering? CONCEPTS • Science is the study of the natural world, while technology is the study of how humans develop new products to meet needs and wants. • Teams of people can accomplish more than one individual working alone. Introduction to Engineering • Scientists investigate, explore, study… • Engineers create, build, produce… • Technologies = products and processes created by an engineer and often used by a scientist • Knowledge of science and math is necessary for the creation of new technologies What is Engineering? CONCEPTS • Technological change is illustrated through inventions, innovations, and the evolution of technological artifacts, processes, and systems • Technology can have both positive and negative consequences (effects) social, cultural, economical, political, and environmental consequences What is Engineering? CONCEPTS • Engineers, designers, and engineering technologists are needed in high demand for the development of future technology to meet societal needs and wants. • An engineering notebook is used to record original ideas or designs. • A portfolio is an organized collection of best works. What is Engineering? Key Terms • Agriculture The raising of crops and animals for food, feed, fiber, fuel, or other useful products. • Artifact A human-made object. • Biotechnology All technology connected with plant and animal life. What is Engineering? Key Terms • Communication The transmission of information through a common system of symbols, signs, behavior, speech, writing, or signals • Construction The act or process of building, erecting, or constructing buildings, roads, or other structures • Energy The ability to do work; one of the basic resources used by a technological system What is Engineering? Key Terms • Engineering Using technological and scientific knowledge to solve practical problems • Environment The surroundings in which a person, animal, or plant lives • Ergonomics The study of workplace equipment design or how to arrange and design devices, machines, or workspace so that people and things interact safely and most efficiently What is Engineering? Key Terms • Industrial Anything relating to (or resulting from) industry, manufacturing, production, etc. • Invention A new product, system, or process that has never existed before, created by study and experimentation • Innovation An improvement of an existing technological product, system, or method of doing something What is Engineering? Key Terms • Manufacturing The process of making a raw material into a finished product; especially in large quantities • Math The science of patterns and order and the study of measurement, properties, and the relationships of quantities using numbers and symbols What is Engineering? Key Terms • Nanotechnology The science and technology of building devices, such as electronic circuits, from single atoms and molecules • Process Human activities used to create, invent, design, transform, produce, control, maintain, and use products or systems; a sequence of actions that combines resources to produce an output What is Engineering? Key Terms • Science The study of our natural world through observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanations • System A group of interacting, interrelated, or interdependent elements/parts that function together as a whole to accomplish a goal What is Engineering? Key Terms • Technology The way people use resources to meet their wants and needs; the devices humans use • Transportation The process by which passengers or goods are moved or delivered from one place to another What is Engineering? Essential Questions 1) What is the purpose of a portfolio for a student? 2) What is the purpose of a portfolio for an engineer? 3) Why is it important for engineers to document their work in their engineering notebook? What is Engineering? Essential Questions 4) List some ways our lives are affected by engineers? 5) What is the difference between an invention and an innovation? 6) How does the use of technology affect the way that you live? Introduction to Engineering: What Do Engineers Do? What is Science? What is Technology? What is Engineering? What is Mathematics? What is STEM? Scientists Technologists Investigate our natural world Apply science and math to designs STEM Working together to solve problems based on societal needs and wants Mathematicians Engineers Use numbers and symbols to solve problems Create our designed world How are each of them needed to Create a Product? Example Pencil Science Discovery of graphite and the fact that rubber (an eraser) will remove graphite Technology Creating a writing device that doesn’t use ink Engineering Designing a device with a graphite insert, an exterior holder, and an attached eraser Math What is the optimal length, diameter, or shape for the device? Needs and Wants… What are our human needs? PHYSICAL PHYSICAL NEEDS: NEEDS: BIOLOGICAL NEEDS: PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS: • Basic shelter • Water • Family • Basic clothing • Food • Friends • Can you think of more? • Can you think of more? • Can you think of more? Needs and Wants… What are our human wants? PHYSICAL WANTS: BIOLOGICAL WANTS: PSYCHOLOGICAL WANTS: • Nice house • Fresh water • Talk with family • Nice car • Fancy food • See friends • Nice clothes • Healthy living • Entertainment • Can you think of more? • Can you think of more? • Can you think of more? Engineering Engineering uses scientific, technological, and mathematical knowledge to solve practical problems. Engineers Do Many Things • Invent – Develop a new product, system, or process that has never existed before • Innovate – Improve an existing technological product, system, or method Design Build Invent Analyze Orchestrate Create Conceive Improve Evaluate Engineers Work to Solve Many Kinds of Problems • An electrical engineer may design a GPS system for your vehicle. • A pharmaceutical/chemical engineer may find a cure for disease. • A computer engineer may build a computer the size of your watch. • A mechanical engineer may create a robot to discover water on a planet. • An agricultural engineer may evaluate the effects of global warming on food production. Engineers make our lives better Discussion Questions • What product or system makes (or would make) your life better? • Would this be considered an invention or an innovation? • What types of engineers might work on this project? Image Resources Microsoft, Inc. (2008). Clip Art. Retrieved September 10, 2008, from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx
