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Science and Engineering. Chapter 1- Section 4. What is Technology?. Technology. Technology refers to the products and processes that are designed to meet our needs. Tools and methods for creating these products are also technology.
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Science and Engineering Chapter 1- Section 4
Technology • Technology refers to the products and processes that are designed to meet our needs. • Tools and methods for creating these products arealso technology. • Technology refers to ANY process, product, or knowledge that is developed to meet a need.
Engineering • Engineering is the process of using science and mathematics to create or improve technology. • Engineers are scientists who create technology.
The Engineering Design Process • The engineering design process is the process engineers use to develop a new technology. • Similar to the scientific method the steps can be completed in order or repeated as needed. • There are 5 Steps
STEP 1 Identify and Research A Need Engineers research and define a need or problem they are trying to solve. Example: Need: I want to write my thoughts down. Technology: Pencil, paper, pen, etc.
Step 3 Step 2 Developing Possible Solutions • Once a need has been identified and researched, the second step is to think about possible solutions. • One way is to brainstorm ideas by having a group of people share ideas quickly. • After the best idea is chosen, the next step is to build a prototype. • A prototype is a test model of the product that allows engineers to see if their design works the way they expect it to. Making a Prototype
Step 5 Step 4 Testing and Evaluation • This step helps to determine whether the technology does the job it was designed to do. • Cost-benefit Analysis- during this step engineers determine if the cost of making the product is worth the benefit of the product. Ex: If it is very expensive to make and only somewhat useful it is not worth making the product. • If the prototype did not work well engineers would either modify the prototype or try a new solution. • They would also look to see if the prototype could fill a different need. Modifying and retesting the solution
Benefits –vs- Consequences • Anytime a new product is created engineers must look at the intended benefits –vs- the unintended consequences. • Intended benefits are the “good things: a product was meant to do. • Ex: A refrigerator keeps food from spoiling.
Benefits –vs- Consequences • Unintended consequences are the “bad things” that are caused by the new technology that engineers did not anticipate happening. • Ex: Early refrigerators used toxic gas to cool. The gas began to leak as the refrigerator got older.
Bioengineering: The application of engineering to living things. • Adaptive Bioengineering: refers to a product or process that CHANGES the living thing. • Ex: Altering DNA in cells, pest resistant corn, artificial skin • Assistive Bioengineering: a product or process that HELPS a living thing but DOES NOT CHANGE them permanently. • Ex: prosthetic leg, crutches, contact lenses