- 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).

- 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.

- Understanding Technology Previewing Visuals • 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.

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

End of Section:Understanding Technology

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

- 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.

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

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

- Technology Design Skills Building a Prototype • 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- Technology Design Skills Patents • 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.

- 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.

End of Section:Technology Design Skills

- Technology and Society Working on the Farm • 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.

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

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

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

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

It decreased from about45 percent to about2 percent, or a reduction of about 43 percent of the total workforce. Calculating: By how much did the percentage of farm workers change between 1860 and 2000? - Technology and Society Working on the Farm

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

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. Inferring: Based on what you know about technological advances, how would you explain the trend shown in the graph? - Technology and Society Working on the Farm

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

Effects Cause - 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. Positive effect: can plow more land Positive effect: protects crops Positive effect: workers can do more Positive effect: saves lives Positive effect: greater production Invention of steam-powered looms Invention of tractors Invention of computers Invention of air bags Pesticide application Negative effect: loss of farm jobs Negative effect: can cause injury or death Negative effect: loss of jobs Negative effect: harmful to plants and animals Negative effect: quickens pace of life

- Technology and Society Links on Technology and Society • Click the SciLinks button for links on technology and society.

End of Section:Technology and Society

Science Technology Graphic Organizer 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

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