The document outlines the roles of scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and technologists in creating products to meet societal needs, emphasizing collaboration in STEM fields. It differentiates between science and technology, illustrating how each contributes to engineering and problem-solving, with examples like the development of a pencil. Additionally, it discusses essential questions related to engineering practices, the importance of documentation, and the distinctions between inventions and innovations.

2. Scientists
Investigate our
natural world
Technologists
Apply science and
math to designs
Mathematicians
Use numbers and symbols
to solve problems
Engineers
Create our
designed world
STEM
Working together
to solve problems
based on societal
needs and wants

3. Science vs. Technology
• Scientists investigate our natural world
• Engineers help create the human-
designed world
• Technology (or technologies) denotes the
products and processes created by an
engineer and often used by a scientist
(the “stuff” or “things” we use)

4. How are each of them needed to
Create a Product?
Example Science Technology Engineering Math
Pencil Resources Idea Design, using
your idea with
the resources
you have
Size and
shape
Dimensions

5. How are each of them needed to
Create a Product?
Example Science Technology Engineering Math
Pencil Discovery of
graphite and
the fact that
rubber
(an eraser)
will remove
graphite
Creating a
writing device
that doesn’t
use ink
Designing a
device with a
graphite insert,
an exterior
holder, and an
attached eraser
What is the
optimal
length,
diameter,
or shape for
the device?

6. Science…Math…
• Knowledge of science and math is
necessary for the creation of new
technologies
• People working in multiple career areas
helped put the cereal you may have eaten
this morning
• Think about the tables and or chairs you
may have used so far today.

7. Scientists…Engineers…
• Information from a scientist helped the
farmer to plant, grow, and harvest the
grains (corn, oats, wheat, rice, and barley)
• The responsibility of an engineer includes
designing the equipment used to harvest
the grain and designing the factory where
the grain was processed into what you eat
today

8. Engineers…Technologists…
• An engineering technologist built the
factory, built the tools and equipment
necessary for converting the grains into
cereal
• Engineering technologists were part of a
team that built the farm equipment (that
an engineer designed)

9. Mathematicians…
• 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
• Have you ever noticed that most cereal
boxes are the same width, but they vary in
height and/or thickness? Why do
you think these particular dimensions are
chosen?

10. What is Engineering?
CONCEPTS
• Science is the study of the natural world,
while technology is the study of how
humans develop new products to meet
needs and wants.
• Teams of people can accomplish more
than one individual working alone.

11. Introduction to Engineering
• Scientists investigate, explore, study…
• Engineers create, build, produce…
• Technologies = 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

12. What is Engineering?
CONCEPTS
• Technological change is illustrated through
inventions, innovations, and the evolution
of technological artifacts, processes, and
systems
• Technology can have both positive and
negative consequences (effects)
social, cultural, economical, political, and
environmental consequences

13. What is Engineering?
CONCEPTS
• Engineers, designers, and engineering
technologists are needed in high demand
for the development of future technology
to meet societal needs and wants.
• An engineering notebook is used to
record original ideas or designs.
• A portfolio is an organized collection of
best works.

14. What is Engineering?
Key Terms
• Agriculture
The raising of crops and animals for food,
feed, fiber, fuel, or other useful products.
• Artifact
A human-made object.
• Biotechnology
All technology connected with plant and
animal life.

15. What is Engineering?
Key Terms
• Communication
The transmission of information through a
common system of symbols, signs, behavior,
speech, writing, or signals
• Construction
The act or process of building, erecting, or
constructing buildings, roads, or other structures
• Energy
The ability to do work; one of the basic resources
used by a technological system

16. What is Engineering?
Key Terms
• Engineering
Using technological and scientific
knowledge to solve practical problems
• Environment
The surroundings in which a person,
animal, or plant lives
• Ergonomics
The study of workplace equipment design
or how to arrange and design devices,
machines, or workspace so that people and
things interact safely and most efficiently

17. What is Engineering?
Key Terms
• Industrial
Anything relating to (or resulting from) industry,
manufacturing, production, etc.
• Invention
A new product, system, or process that has
never existed before, created by study and
experimentation
• Innovation
An improvement of an existing technological
product, system, or method of doing
something

18. What is Engineering?
Key Terms
• Manufacturing
The process of making a raw material into
a finished product; especially in large
quantities
• Math
The science of patterns and order and the
study of measurement, properties, and the
relationships of quantities using numbers
and symbols

19. What is Engineering?
Key Terms
• Nanotechnology
The science and technology of building
devices, such as electronic circuits, from
single atoms and molecules
• Process
Human activities used to create, invent,
design, transform, produce, control,
maintain, and use products or systems; a
sequence of actions that combines
resources to produce an output

20. What is Engineering?
Key Terms
• Science
The study of our natural world through
observation, identification, description,
experimental investigation, and theoretical
explanations
• System
A group of interacting, interrelated, or
interdependent elements/parts that function
together as a whole to accomplish a goal

21. What is Engineering?
Key Terms
• Technology
The way people use resources to meet
their wants and needs; the devices humans use
• Transportation
The process by which passengers or
goods are moved or delivered from one place to
another

22. What is Engineering?
Essential Questions
1) What is the purpose of a
portfolio for a student?
2) What is the purpose of a
portfolio for an engineer?
3) Why is it important for engineers
to document their work in their
engineering notebook?

23. What is Engineering?
Essential Questions
4) List some ways our lives are
affected by engineers?
5) What is the difference between
an invention and an innovation?
6) How does the use of technology
affect the way that you live?

24. Introduction to Engineering:
What Do Engineers Do?

25. What is Science?
What is Technology?
What is Engineering?
What is Mathematics?
What is STEM?

26. Scientists
Investigate our
natural world
Technologists
Apply science and
math to designs
Mathematicians
Use numbers and symbols
to solve problems
Engineers
Create our
designed world
STEM
Working together
to solve problems
based on societal
needs and wants

27. How are each of them needed to
Create a Product?
Example Science Technology Engineering Math
Pencil Discovery of
graphite and
the fact that
rubber
(an eraser)
will remove
graphite
Creating a
writing device
that doesn’t
use ink
Designing a
device with a
graphite insert,
an exterior
holder, and an
attached eraser
What is the
optimal
length,
diameter,
or shape for
the device?

28. PHYSICAL
NEEDS:
• Basic shelter
• Basic clothing
• Can you think
of more?
What are our human needs?
Needs and Wants…
PHYSICAL
NEEDS:
BIOLOGICAL
NEEDS:
• Water
• Food
• Can you think
of more?
PSYCHOLOGICAL
NEEDS:
• Family
• Friends
• Can you think of
more?

29. What are our human wants?
PHYSICAL
WANTS:
• Nice house
• Nice car
• Nice clothes
• Can you think
of more?
BIOLOGICAL
WANTS:
• Fresh water
• Fancy food
• Healthy living
• Can you think
of more?
PSYCHOLOGICAL
WANTS:
• Talk with family
• See friends
• Entertainment
• Can you think of
more?
Needs and Wants…

30. Engineering
Engineering uses
scientific, technological, and
mathematical knowledge
to solve practical problems.

31. Engineers Do Many Things
• Invent – Develop a new product, system, or
process that has never existed before
• Innovate – Improve an existing technological
product, system, or method
Create
Build
Conceive
Design
Evaluate
Analyze
Orchestrate
Invent
Improve

32. • An electrical engineer may design a
GPS system for your vehicle.
• A pharmaceutical/chemical engineer
may find a cure for disease.
• A computer engineer may build
a computer the size of your watch.
• A mechanical engineer may create
a robot to discover water on a planet.
• An agricultural engineer may evaluate the
effects of global warming on food production.
Engineers Work to Solve Many
Kinds of Problems
Engineers make our lives better

33. Discussion Questions
• What product or system makes
(or would make) your life better?
• Would this be considered an
invention or an innovation?
• What types of engineers might
work on this project?

34. Image Resources
Microsoft, Inc. (2008). Clip Art. Retrieved September 10, 2008, from
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx