PRHS Connections Between Engineering, Technology, Science, and Society

How are they connected?

Scientists discover things about our natural world. Engineers use that knowledge in their designs to develop new technologies. Scientists then use the new technologies to make even more discoveries.

Knowledge

Science is knowledge of the physical or natural world.

Knowledge

Scientists try to offer explanations for why things happen the way they do. Scientists want to understand why.

Explains

Scientists run controlled experiments so that they can properly offer support for or reject their hypotheses. They use the knowledge they gain to make future predictions (hypotheses) to which they will test.

Experiment

Solution

Engineers seek solutions for our problems, needs, and wants.

Solution

Method

Engineers follow a variety of processes through which they produce and analyze technologies

Method

The Best

The Best

Engineers are always trying to improve things. There are always changes that can be made to make most any product better.

From cell phones, to medicine, to playground equipment, to carrot cake..... If it is something that people make.....it is TECHNOLOGY!

Anything Man made

Brainstorming and Theorizing

Brainstorming and Theorizing

Team engages in discussion to consider issues and

potential needs in a specific industry.

The goal of this step is to form a theory that will solve an issue, need, or problem.

Exploring and Hypothesizing

Once a team has chosen an idea to pursue, further exploration and research begins.

During this step, researchers will work with product developers who

will develop initial prototypes of the product or process, which further enables exploration and hypothesizing.

Exploring and Hypothesizing

Designing Developing

Testing

The design and development phase involves building on the initial prototype developed during the previous step to further design and develop a product or process.

This step involves testing the prototype through a trial and error process to create a series of products - with each one improving on the next design to eliminate flaws or limitations.

The designers will also consider issues such as how to mass-produce a product so they can make many in the shortest time possible.

Designing

Developing and

Testing

Implementing and Improving

Implementing and Improving

During this next step, the prototype produced continues to evolve by ensuring that the product meets all criteria required for final approval and launch of the product.

The R&D team will implement any modifications necessary to meet these regulations.

The team will also develop marketing strategies, like pricing and distribution.

Return to Theorizing and Brainstorming

After the launch of a product, the R&D cycle does not end. The team will monitor marketing and sales closely, considering this the biggest test of the design!

Product evaluation will occur to ensure that the design is effective and successful. The team will be ready to make modifications, if necessary, to resolve issues or make improvements to their product.

It’s even possible that the team will abandon their product all together and revisit Step 1 of the R&D cycle because results fail to meet expectations.

Return to Brainstorming and Theorizing

electrical power plants, airports, subways,

cell phone networks, agricultural systems, school systems, television networks, etc.

Examples

Good

We can grow more crops to feed more people.

Half of the nitrogen does not go into the plants which means it goes into the atmosphere and our water supply. This nitrogen is a volatile chemical and it harms the environment.

Bad

1. DNA Mapping

2. Genetic Testing

3. Personal DNA Tests

4. Forensics

Why?

Water is Collected

Surface Reservoirs

Water is collected

Filter

Mesh Screen

Filtered

Aeration

Softening Process

add lime and soda ash

Softening Process

Calcium and Magnesium then settle out. Water is not so hard and won't hurt pipes.

Coagulation

This causes contaminants to clump together. Process is called flocculation and the clumps are called blocks.

Coagulation

Disinfection

Disinfection

Removes harmful microorganisms by adding chlorine gas

Sedimentation

Blocks are given time to fall to the bottom of the tank of water.

Sedimentation

Filtration

Water now passes through 3 layers: anthracite, sand, and gravel.

Filtration

Fluoride

Fluoride

Added to promote healthy teeth

Nature

• fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas)
• wind
• tides
• solar energy
• biomass
• nuclear

Most of our electricity is generated by thermal power plants.

Thermal

Energy

Plants

Nuclear energy, fossil fuels, biomass are used to heat water to make steam that will turn turbines and generate electricity.

Electricity grids are used to get the electricity to us. There are 4 major grids across the US and Canada. They work independently of each other.

Grid

Allows us to stay connected. You do not have to find a public phone for emergencies.

Good

People are on their phones all the time. They text and drive. Phones are a major distraction and are the cause of many wrecks and traffic deaths.

Bad

It is cheaper, requires less workers, and it is faster.

Good

Bad

The impacts on communities of blowing up mountains and dumping the rubble into streams are profound. It forces residents to contend with contaminated drinking water, increased flooding, dangerous coal slurry impoundments, and higher rates of cancer and other health issues

Good

Nuclear energy has a very low lifecycle carbon footprint (reducing carbon emissions and it does not rely on environmental conditions to produce power.

They can and have had meltdowns. The nuclear radioactive waste is difficult and expensive to dispose of.

Bad

Good

They act as a second set of eyes. They give dirvers alerts to problems.

The driver is still the driver and needs to stay alert. If they depend on the vehicle’s capabilities too much and drive more recklessly so more accidents will happen. Smart cars take some of the control away which some people are not going to like.

Bad