Table of Contents Understanding Technology Technology Design Skills Technology and Society

How Does Technology Relate to Science? - Understanding Technology How Does Technology Relate to Science? Science is the study of the natural world to understand how it functions. Technology, on the other hand, changes, or modifies, the natural world to meet human needs or to solve problems. For example, understanding the physics of light (science) led to the development of optical fibers and endoscopes (technology).

How Technology Progresses - Understanding Technology How Technology Progresses Technology, such as writing or word-processing technology, is always changing. Technology progresses as people’s knowledge increases and as new needs can be satisfied.

Previewing Visuals - Understanding Technology When you preview, you look ahead at the material to be read. Preview the figure Science and Technology. Then write two questions you have about the diagram in a graphic organizer like the one below. As you read, answer your questions. Science and Technology Q. What does technology have to do with science? A. Advances in technology contribute to advances in science. Q. How does science affect technology? A. Advances in science contribute to advances in technology.

Click the SciLinks button for links on technology. - Understanding Technology Links on Technology Click the SciLinks button for links on technology.

End of Section: Understanding Technology

Identifying a Need - Technology Design Skills When engineers identify a need, they clearly define the problem they are trying to solve.

Researching the Problem - Technology Design Skills Researching the Problem After defining a problem, engineers need to research it fully. When engineers research a problem, they gather information that will help them in their tasks.

Designing a Solution - Technology Design Skills Brainstorming leads to several possible design solutions. Sketching and modeling help engineers visualize different designs.

Designing a Solution - Technology Design Skills In choosing the best design, engineers must evaluate constraints and make trade-offs. Engineers sometimes have to repeat one or more steps.

Building a Prototype - Technology Design Skills Prototypes are used to test the operation of a product, including how well it works, how long it lasts, and how safe it is to use.

Troubleshooting and Redesigning - Technology Design Skills Troubleshooting and Redesigning The next stage in the design process is to identify the causes of any problems and to re-design the product to address the problems.

Communicating the Solution - Technology Design Skills Communicating the Solution Engineers must communicate to consumers how a product meets their needs. They must also communicate with those involved in bringing the product to consumers.

Patents - Technology Design Skills A patent is a legal document issued by a government that gives the inventor exclusive rights to make, use, or sell the invention for a limited time.

The Technology Design Process - Technology Design Skills Sequencing Sequence is the order in which a series of events occurs. As you read, make a flowchart that shows the steps in the technology design process. Put the steps of the process in separate boxes in the flowchart in the order in which they typically occur. The Technology Design Process Identify the need. Research the problem. Design a solution. Build a prototype. Troubleshoot and redesign. Communicate the solution.

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Working on the Farm - Technology and Society The graph shows the percentage of workers who worked on farms between the years 1860 and 2000. Use the graph to answer the following questions.

Working on the Farm - Technology and Society Reading Graphs: What factor is plotted on the horizontal axis? Year, from 1860 to 2000

Working on the Farm - Technology and Society Reading Graphs: What factor is plotted on the vertical axis? Percentage of total workers in the United States who are farm workers

Working on the Farm - Technology and Society Interpreting Data: Of the years shown on the graph, in which year was the percentage of farm workers highest? 1860

Working on the Farm - Technology and Society Interpreting Data: In which year was the percentage lowest? 2000

Working on the Farm - Technology and Society Calculating: By how much did the percentage of farm workers change between 1860 and 2000? It decreased from about 45 percent to about 2 percent, or a reduction of about 43 percent of the total workforce.

Working on the Farm - Technology and Society Drawing Conclusions: What trend does the graph show? The percentage of farm workers in the total workforce of the United States has declined steadily from 1860 to 2000.

Working on the Farm - Technology and Society Inferring: Based on what you know about technological advances, how would you explain the trend shown in the graph? The progress of technology, including the advance of tractors and other machinery, reduced significantly the need for workers on farms over the last 150 years.

Analyzing Risks and Benefits - Technology and Society Analyzing Risks and Benefits Should you use headphones? Evaluating the risks and benefits can help you decide.

Relating Cause and Effect - Technology and Society Relating Cause and Effect As you read, identify one positive and one negative effect of each technology discussed in this section. Write the information in a graphic organizer like the one below. Cause Effects Positive effect: can plow more land Positive effect: workers can do more Positive effect: protects crops Positive effect: saves lives Positive effect: greater production Invention of air bags Invention of computers Invention of steam-powered looms Invention of tractors Pesticide application Negative effect: harmful to plants and animals Negative effect: quickens pace of life Negative effect: can cause injury or death Negative effect: loss of farm jobs Negative effect: loss of jobs

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End of Section: Technology and Society

Graphic Organizer Science Technology Study of the natural world Changing the natural world Rely on each other To understand how it functions To meet human needs and solve problems

End of Section: Graphic Organizer