Answer the following question on your agree or disagree sheet. What technology has influenced your life the most? Why?

Objectives: Be able to define the purpose of the following technologies; dams, levees, aqueducts, irrigation, roads & bridges, Identify ways in which technologies have modified the physical environment.

How Have Technologies Modified the Physical Environment?

Technological innovations have been used by people to change the physical environment. Example: The use of steel plows allowed farmers to turn their land into productive farmland.

NOT all changes in the physical environment have been good!

1. Dam A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or slows down the flow often creating a lake. Problems: –Ecology –Water temperature –Oxygen content

Hoover Dam Colorado River ran wild for years Grand Canyon Flooded farmland Drought Cattle died Crops were destroyed

2. Levee The main purpose of a levee is to prevent flooding of the adjoining countryside. Problem: They continue the flow of the river resulting in higher and faster water flow Levee Breach: Hurricane Katrina

3. Aqueducts: An artificial channel that is constructed to convey water from one location to another. The Colorado River aqueduct supplies the LA area with water.

4. Irrigation: Is the artificial application of water to the soil usually for assisting in growing crops. Problems: –Water pollution –Decrease of underground aquifers

5. Roads: An identifiable route, way or path between two or more places. Roads are typically smoothed or paved to prepare for travel. (They did not used to be!!!)

6. Bridges: Is a structure built to span a gorge, valley, road, railroad track, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle.

REVIEW

1.How have levees along the Missouri River mainly affected the environment? –A.) They have made the local water safe for drinking? –B.) They have enabled fish to move upstream past dams. –C.) They have generated electricity from the passing water. –D.) They have protected the surrounding countryside from flooding.

D

1.How do people benefit from aqueducts? –A.) They have warmed the water temperature. –B.) They enable water to be channeled to other cities for use. –C.) They protect the surrounding countryside from flooding. –D.) They have polluted the water.

B

What is the purpose of a dam? A.) To retain water B.) To generate electricity C.) Obstruct, direct or slow down the flow of water. D.) All of the Above

D

Technology How did this technology modify the physical environment? The Telegraph Samuel F.B. Morse invented the telegraph. It worked by sending electrical signals over a wire. In his system known as the Morse code, each letter of the alphabet is represented by its own mix of signals. This invention allowed people to communicate across the country in a short time period. Before this invention their only form of communication was mail, which could take months.

“Ticket Out” On a separate piece of paper answer the following question: *Predict an invention that will modify the physical world in the future. Be creative, but realistic!!!