What is Engineering?
 What
would the world be like without
engineers?
 Look
at the following comics and figure
out what engineers do!
The World Without Engineers
The World Without Engineers
The World Without Engineers
The World Without Engineers
The World Without Engineers
The World Without Engineers
The World Without Engineers
Engineers are Inventors!
Engineers use science and math to solve real
world problems!
 What are some of the types of engineers you
have heard of?
 Possibly:

 Chemical, electrical, mechanical, software, civil,
biomedical, and environmental. AND MANY MORE!
Look around you, virtually every manmade contraption
you see was conceived of and created by an
engineer!
SCIENCE vs. ENGINEERING

SCIENCE

ENGINEERING

Analysis: ask questions, look
for patterns, develop
knowledge
Produce knowledge
Characteristic activity:
research
(learn about nature)
Study of what is

Synthesis: integrate bits of
knowledge to create
something new
Produce processes and things
(part of technology)
Characteristic activity:
creative design
Study of what never was






ENGINEERING IS EVERYWHERE
Engineering gives shape to our world
 We all know cars, computers, airplanes, and
bridges are all products of imaginative
engineering
 But did you know bubble gum, baseball bats,
movie special effects, roller coasters, and
synthetic human tissue replacements are also
engineering products?

ENGINEERING IS EVERYWHERE
Engineers design, create, or modify nearly
everything we touch, wear, eat, see, and hear in our
daily lives.
 Their innovations and inventions fuel economic
growth, fortify national security, improve
healthcare, and safeguard the environment.

The First Engineer
Imhotep
 Designed the pyramid near Memphis, Egypt
around 2550 BC.

Imhotep
He set a precedent by including temples,
pavilions, corridors, chapels and halls within
the closed walls.
 He was a commoner by birth.
 Which means he did not have a formal
education (that was only for the rich).
 At that time engineers learned the trade through
the apprenticeship system.

Imhotep
He became one of the king’s most trusted
advisors.
 His reputation lives on still today in many
fictional stories such as:
The Mummy &
The Mummy Returns

What is needed to
Create a Product?
Example
Science
Technology
Engineering
Math
Pencil
Discovery of
graphite and the
fact that rubber
(eraser) will
remove
graphite
Creating a
writing device
that doesn’t use
ink
Designing a
device with
graphite insert,
exterior holder,
and attached
eraser
What is the
optimal length,
diameter, or
shape for the
device?
Engineering
Engineering uses scientific, technological,
and mathematical knowledge to solve
practical problems.
Engineers Can Do Anything
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 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
What are Some Types of
Engineering?

Just as science is divided into separate fields
such as biology, chemistry and physics,
engineering is divided into a variety of
disciplines. The five largest engineering
disciplines are chemical, civil, electrical,
industrial and mechanical. Engineers within
all of these disciplines can work in productoriented companies, government, or
academia.
Aerospace Engineering Aerospace engineers design,
analyze, model, simulate, and test aircraft, spacecraft,
satellites, missiles, and rockets. Aerospace technology also
extends to many other applications of objects moving within
gases or liquids. Examples are golf balls, high-speed trains,
hydrofoil ships, or tall buildings in the wind. Aerospace
engineers are typically specialists in fields with fancy names
such as aerodynamics, propulsion, navigation, flight testing,
and more.
Biomedical Engineering This is an interdisciplinary field
combining mechanical, electrical, and chemical
engineering to study the human body. Biomedical
Engineers study biology and medicine to develop
technologies related to health care. They develop medical
diagnostic machines, medical instruments, artificial
organs, joint replacement parts, and prosthetic devices.
Chemical Engineering Chemical Engineers
use their knowledge of physics, chemistry, and
biology to discover and manufacture better
plastics, paints, fuels, fibers, medicines,
fertilizers, semiconductors, paper, and all other
kinds of chemicals, by carrying out chemical
reactions and purifications.
Civil Engineering The design and construction of
buildings, dams, water treatment and carrying
systems, air pollution controls, and transportation
systems are the responsibilities of civil
engineers. Subheadings of civil engineering
include: geotechnical, environmental, structural,
transportation, materials, and project management.
Computer Science and Engineering Computer scientists
and engineers are involved in the development of both
hardware and software for computers. They work on
computer-related systems like CD-ROMs, modems and
monitors, as well as cutting-edge projects including robotics
and virtual reality systems.
Environmental Engineering Keeping the water, air and soil
healthy are the responsibilities of environmental engineers.
To accomplish this goal they deal with issues including waste
management, pollution control and irrigation.
Electrical Engineering Electrical engineering deals with
electricity, magnetism, and light and how it is used. Electrical
engineers are found in a variety of companies including the
computer, communications, and automotive industries.
Mechanical Engineering Engineers within this
discipline tend to focus on one of three aspects of
mechanical engineering; design, manufacturing, or
energy/power. Cars, airplanes and toys are just a few
of the areas in which mechanical engineers work.
Petroleum Engineering Petroleum engineers study
the earth to find oil and gas reservoirs. They design
oil wells, storage tanks, and transportation systems.
They supervise the construction and operation of oil
and gas fields. Petroleum engineers are researching
new technologies to allow more oil and gas to be
extracted from each well. They help supply the
world's need for energy and chemical raw materials.
Now let’s take a look at some
real life engineers and what
they’re working on right now!
Separating Oil from Water

Di Gao, a chemical engineer at the University of
Pittsburg, invented a plastic-coated cotton
material that could clean up the Gulf.
Designing Better Cars

Marcus Ashford, a
mechanical engineer at
the University of
Alabama, has invented a
car engine with 80% less
exhaust emissions.
Cleaning Up the Ocean

Alexandria Boehm is an environmental engineer who
works on ways to clean up oceans near where people
live.
Designing Space Colonies

Kimberly Jones is a civil engineer working on
purifying water so that we can one day go to Mars!!!
Controlling Computers with Thoughts

Daniel Moran, a biomedical engineer at Washington
University, has invented a way to play video games
using only the human mind!
Listening for Cancer
• John Viator, a
biological engineer,
has invented a way to
hear cancer cells.
2015 Average Starting Salaries as reported by
payscale.com and US Division of Labor
Industry
Average Entry-Level
Salary
Average Annual Top 10 Percent
Salary
Salary
Biomedical Engineering
$60,698
$91,760
$139,350
Civil Engineering
$55,220
$87,130
$128,110
$66,945
$110,650
$160,610
$67,779
$106,050
$154,800
Chemical Engineering
$66,281
$103,590
$156,980
Electrical Engineering
$64,138
$95,780
$143,200
Environmental Engineering
$54,751
$86,340
$125,380
Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences
Data Not Provided
$100,970
$159,010
Materials Science and Engineering
$65,979
$91,150
$138,450
Mechanical Engineering
$61,523
$87,140
$126,430
Computer Engineering
•Computer Hardware Engineers Software Developers,
Systems Software
How long do engineers
have to go to school?

Engineers need a minimum of a
college Bachelor's degree. That
means they must finish high school
and typically four years of college.
A few engineering programs take
five years. A college degree could
take longer if you only attend
college part time or perhaps attend
during evenings.
How can I become an engineer?

First you will need a college degree. After that,
many engineers seek a Professional Engineer
(P.E.) license. It helps to begin preparations for
all this at the middle school levels. Where
possible, choose a well-rounded mix of classes
with emphasis on math and science. Taken
from discoverengineering.org
Why study engineering?

Job satisfaction
 The No. 1 cause of unhappiness is job
dissatisfaction.
 Important to find a career you enjoy.

Variety of career opportunities
 Neil Armstrong, Jimmy Carter, and Alfred
Hitchcock all started with an engineering
education.
Why study engineering?

Challenging work





Problems will be open-ended
No single answer
No answer in the back of the book
No teacher to tell you that you are right or wrong
You find a solution and persuade others that yours
is the best one
Why study engineering?

Intellectual development
 An engineering education will develop your ability to
think logically and to solve problems

Benefit society




You can choose projects that benefit society
Cleaning the environment
Developing prosthetic aids for disabled persons
Finding new sources of energy
Why study engineering?

Financial security
 This should not be your only reason for choosing
a career in engineering
 However, you will be well paid
 Engineering graduates receive the highest
starting salary of any discipline
Why study engineering?

Prestige
 Engineers greatly help
○ sustain our nation's international competitiveness
○ maintain our standard of living
○ ensure a strong national security
○ protect public safety
 People know that engineering requires hard work and
strong technical skills. As a member of this
profession, you will receive a high amount of
prestige.
Why study engineering?

Professional environment
 You will work in a professional environment in
which you will be treated with respect and have some
freedom in choosing your work.

Creative thinking
 We are in a time of rapid social and technological
changes, therefore, the need for engineers to think
creatively is greater than ever before.
Why study engineering?

Technological and scientific discovery
 Do you know why golf balls have dimples?
 When you drive on a mountain road, do you look at the
guard rails and understand why they were designed the
way they are?
 Do you know why split-level houses experience more
damage in earthquakes?
 An engineering education can help you understand how
many things in the world work.
The Engineering Design Process
Loop
Redesign
Identify the
Problem
Present Your
Design
Research the
Problem
Test and Modify
Design
Construct an
Initial Design
Select
One Solution
Find Possible
Solutions
43
You will be an Engineer!

Throughout this year, you will answer:
 1. What is a problem that we have?
 2. What can you find out about the problem?
 3. What ideas are there already out there that could help us





solve the problem?
4. How can you use those ideas to determine a solution?
5. What would your design look like?
6. Build and test it. Does your design work?
7. Show others!
8. Make it better!