Activity 1.1.2 Introduction to Engineering

Introduction

Scientists investigate our natural world; engineers create the human designed world. Technologies are the products and processes created by an engineer and often used by a scientist. Knowledge of science and math is necessary for the creation of new technologies. People working in all of these career areas helped put the cereal you may have eaten this morning on your table. The scientist helped the farmer to plant, grow, and harvest the grains (corn, oats, wheat, rice, and barley). The responsibility of the engineer includes designing the equipment used to harvest the grain and designing the factory where the grain was processed into what you eat today. The engineering technologist built the factory, built the tools and equipment necessary for converting the grains into cereal, and built the farm equipment that the engineer designed. All along the way, mathematicians were needed to solve problems like how big the factory should be or how much cereal should go in one box.

During this activity you will follow along with the Introduction to Engineering presentation to answer the questions, “What is engineering?” and “Why do we need to learn about engineering and technology?”

Equipment

·  GTT notebook

Procedure

1.  Follow along with the presentation to complete the Introduction to Engineering – What do Engineers do? Worksheets.

2.  Complete the conclusion questions.

3.  Fill in the appropriate section of your GTT Notebook.


Introduction to Engineering – What Do Engineers Do?

Complete the questions below while your teacher presents what is engineering?

1.  In your own words, describe the following terms:

Science- People experimenting with cells, chemicals, in their lab with big goggles and a long white coat on.

Technology-

Is people working on computers and helping to make things that we use every day.

Engineering-

Building, creating, inventing.

Math-

Numbers and letters that you work with to find a solution.

2.  Draw a concept map that shows how the STEM careers are connected.

3. Complete two examples of how scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians may work together when inventing or innovating a new product.

Example / Science / Technology / Engineering / Math
Pencil / Discovery of graphite and the fact that rubber (earaser) will remove graphite / Creating and writing device that doesn’t use ink / Designing a device with graphite insert, exterior holder, and attached earaser / What is the optimal length, diameter, or shape for the device?

4.  What is the difference between a need and a want?

A need is like something that you have to have in order to live you”need” it. A want is something that you could live without, but you like to have it, for example you don’t need a cell phone, but you want one or you like to have one so you can get talk to people.

5.  Complete the chart below by listing our human needs and wants:

Physical / Biological / Psychological
Needs / Shelter, clothing, shoes, learning. / Food, water, health. / Family, friends,
Wants / Nice house, nice car, nice clothes, good job. / Fresh water, fancy food, healthy living. / Cell phones, entertainment, music, see friends.

6.  What is an engineer?

Create almost everything in the world.

7.  List examples of what an engineer does?

Design, build, Create,Invent,Analyze,improve,evaluate,orchestrate,and conceive

8.  What is the difference between an invention and an innovation?

An invention is something that is the very first product made. Innovation is how the product changes and gets better over time.

9. Why do you need to learn about engineering and technology?

So we know how important engineers are and what they do. Engineers make the world go round. They make almost everything that we use now days.

Conclusion

1.  What product or system would make your life better?

Shoes that move so you don’t have to walk to can just stand there and hold a remote and the shoes will get you from here to there. At night you plug them into the wall and charge them. They would be called robo-shoes.

2.  Is this an invention or an innovation?

Invention

3.  What type(s) of engineer(s) might work on this project?

A computer engineer and a mechanical engineer.

Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Copyright 2010

GTT – Unit 1 – Lesson 1.1 – Activity 1.1.2 – Introduction to Engineering – Page 1