The Relationship between Science and Technology Unit 01 – Topic 01

Definitions Science is the study of naturally occurring phenomena with a view to gaining more knowledge about the universe. Technology is defined as "The human process of applying knowledge to satisfy our needs and wants and to extend our capabilities" (Hutchinson, 1994. p.4)

What is Technology? Technology is human innovation in action that involves the generation of knowledge and process to develop systems that solve problems and extend human capabilities...technology is how humans modify the world around them to meet their needs and wants or to solve practical problems (Foundation for the Atlantic Canada Technology Education Curriculum, 2001). Needs – those things which are required to sustain life Air, food, water, shelter, (reproduction, affection and security) Wants – everything else

Which is Technology ? Computers Plywood Satellites Cloning Take-out food Pencils Ink Toothbrush Planning a big BBQ Microscopes Corn Yogurt Cardboard Cartons Paper Cell phones Postal service Eye glasses Ironing your clothes Some discussion should occur. Many students will pick the obvious pieces of technology. In fact all of these are technology. Corn was bred by cross-pollinating corn with desirable traits. All are ways we meet our needs and wants. Some are tangible and others are processes how we do things. All have been invented by man. The world of technology is the human-made world.  Anything not naturally occurring in nature that exists in our world is a product of human technological activity.  This includes clothes, buildings, toys, art, and music.  Almost all plants grown by humans are modified in some way, either by genetic manipulation such as selective breeding, altering the growing environment (watering, adding fertilizers or pesticides), or processing after harvesting.  Practically all food is a technological product produced with technological knowledge, resources, and processes. Much of the general use of the word technology refers to computers and other electronic networked devices.  It is these devices and the rapid changes they are bringing about that is the primary focus of public attention.  Often that focus gets in the way of understanding the real issues, problems and opportunities. 

Technology is.. how we do things. includes knowledge and skills resources we use (tools, materials, money, etc) the processes and procedures we apply to do things. Writing fixing your bike (and riding it) ironing your clothes driving a car (or flying a plane) building a website planning a big BBQ

Components of Technology Technology is generally considered to have three components; the artifact (the product, whatever we have made) the knowledge required to produce the artifact (here is where science is important) and the processes required to produce the artifact.

The Artifact the obvious and visible components of technology technological products (artifacts) goods and services Examples include: cell phones computers hammers pencils postal service paper CD players desks

The Knowledge information Theories – includes scientific theories and principles organizations technical processes skills

The Process Designing, making, testing, and completing technological solutions to problems Involves different kinds of knowledge Involves development of technical skills and capability This component solves the problems, uses the resources, creates and solves human, social and environmental problems.

Technology Education and Science Technology education is a study of technology, which provides an opportunity for students to learn about the processes and knowledge related to technology that are needed to solve problems and extend human capabilities. The study of technology relies heavily on the application of scientific principles.

How is Technology Organized? Informational systems communications, management, and control Physical systems production, manufacturing, construction and exploration Biological systems improve human life, plants, or animals Communications technologies are informational technologies.  The primary purpose of communication technologies is to enable information to be effectively communicated from a sender to a receiver. 

Technology and Change The rate of change is how long it takes for a particular way of doing things to change. For most of human history technology changed very slowly This began to change with the industrial revolution.  With the introduction of computers, computer networks and the internet, the rate of technological change is increasing rapidly.  People used the same tools and resources in the same way, sometimes for centuries. The knowledge required remained fairly constant for long periods of time.  The means of making things, the knowledge and skills required, and the things that got made all began to change.  As time went on, the rate at which technologies changed began to increase.

Technology in Schools Technology Education (Tech Ed) Educational Technology (Ed Tech) Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)

Technology Education is an integrated, experience-based instructional program designed to prepare students to be knowledgeable about technology. includes its evolution, systems, technologies, utilization, and social and cultural significance. engaging in technology education is engaging in the design process.

Educational Technology also known variously as e-learning, instructional technology and learning technology is the use of technology to support the learning process. although the term can refer to all kinds of analogue technologies, eg photographs, film, video, audio recordings etc, it is usually used to talk specifically about digital computer technology.

Information and Communications Technologies known as ICT a diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information. computers, software, peripherals, the Internet, broadcasting technologies (radio and television), and telephony

Technological Literacy the ability to use technological systems, manage technological activities, and make informed decisions about technological issues. can be described as: Knowing about and understanding Being able to discuss with understanding, Being able to make informed decisions about technological issues, even complex ones like bioengineering. Technological literacy does not mean that you can engage in those sorts of processes, only that you have knowledge of, even though your input may impact the decision to engage or not engage in such technologies.

Technology capability is expressed as an action that results in new and innovative solutions through the application of one or more technological problem-solving strategies and the use of technological resources

Activity Example Claw Hammer

When it was invented/developed ? early man used a rock handle added in 4th century BC evolved and refined through the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, to the modern Industrial Age

The knowledge that led to the development how to tie objects with string (hide, woven fibers) how to shape wood to make a handle how to shape stone to create a hammer head how to beat out hammer heads from red hot iron (blacksmith skills) knowledge of simple machines (levers, fulcrums) to create an effective claw. understanding of the temper, hardness and durability of materials (iron) understanding the development of steel with the introduction carbon to iron. development of the triple-zone heat treating process which insures different degrees of hardness in the important areas of the face, eye and claw of the hammer head understanding of the properties of materials (steel and fiberglass) to further develop the hammer handles (originally made of wood).

The processing techniques that were required - 1 Early man -  a rock held in the hand find a suitable rock and swing the arm to crush or drive objects. Problem - Finger Bashing 4th century BC add handle  Tie the handle to the hammer head with vines or strips of hide Through the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age a hole or "eye" was bored into the head hammer head the head was made of iron Industrial Age iron was tempered to make steel

The processing techniques that were required - 2 Today  quality hammers require a hot forging process with exacting tempering of the steel to produce a durable, high-performing product. hammer handles are also made of steel and fiberglass a wood and rubber implant in the hammer head reduces the vibration and make the feel of these steel hammers "almost as kind as wood." Other innovations increasing the curve of the hammer claw to permit easy cradling of 2 x 4's milled faces to reduce nail slippage straight claw design for ripping hammers  finely polished hammer heads for quality inspection and customer pride of ownership

Scientific principles Some of the Concepts include: Torque Force Momentum Mechanical Advantage Annealing Making alloys

Activity 1-1 – Your Turn Select an artifact of technology Research: When it was invented/developed ? What knowledge led to the development of this product/invention ? Which processing techniques were required to develop/produce the completed artifact ? Which scientific principles apply to its use ? Include at least one graphic of the chosen technology.  See the course web for more details

Systems Technological systems are the building blocks of technological products Definition - A group of parts which can do together what the parts individually cannot do A system is designed to produce a specific output

System Parts Systems have three major parts Input, which is the desired result plus the resources used by the system Process, which is the action that the system performs Output, which is the results of the system process

Microwave as System

System Outcomes happen as a result of the processes that the system applies to the input may be just what we wanted, or it may not be may be just what we expected or not describe this as the outcomes or consequences, may be: good or bad expected or unexpected

Sample System Outcomes for Microwave

System Feedback Feedback is a part of the system that: monitors the output compares it to the input and adjusts the process to make sure the output is correct

Electric heat in a room Electric heat usually has a thermostat, either on the wall, or on the heater itself.   The thermostat is really three devices.  One is a dial (or slider) setting you adjust to tell the system your desired temperature.  The second is a thermometer that measures the actual air temperature.  The third is a switch that turns the heater on and off. 

Heating system with a few possible outcomes

Open and Closed Loop Systems An open loop system has no feedback A closed loop system has feedback

Applicability to this course This course is primarily about robotics systems, control systems in particular.  You will construct and operate systems that will be closed loop In the major technological problem solving exercise you will create a robotic systems.  The feedback components will be under hardware and software control. 

Activity 1-2 – Your Turn Select a System and apply the Universal Systems Model Identify the input, processing, output What is the possible outcomes of the system ? What is the feedback to the system if there is any. See the course web for more details about this activity