People and technology
Technology means tools, machines and methods that people make to solve problems. Hand tools came first, then machines, then electricity and computers. Technology makes work faster, easier and safer, and gives us more goods. It also changes jobs and ways of living.
Mission and responsibility of engineers
An engineer designs and improves technology. The mission is to use science to solve problems for people. The responsibilities are:
- Safety: bridges, machines and food plants must not hurt people
- Honesty: report test results truly, never hide faults
- Care for others: think about workers, users and neighbours
- Keep learning: know the latest safe methods
- Care for nature
Environment and technology
Technology can harm the environment: smoke makes air dirty, factory waste pollutes rivers, and mining and building remove trees. But technology can also protect it:
- Filters and scrubbers clean smoke
- Solar and wind give clean energy
- Recycling reduces waste
- Better design uses less material and power
The idea of sustainable technology is to meet today's needs without harming tomorrow.
Try it
At home: pick one device (phone, fan, bike). Write one benefit, one cost to nature and one idea to cut that cost. In the 3D: in the last step, move the care slider from 0 to 100. What happens to output and smoke?
Key formulas and definitions
- Key term: technology = tools, machines and methods that solve problems
- Engineer duties: safety, honesty, care for people and nature
- Every technology has a benefit and a cost
- Sustainable: meet today's needs without harming tomorrow
Worked examples
1. A factory makes 100 items a day and makes 10 units of smoke. A filter cuts smoke by half. What is the smoke now?
10 x 1/2 = 5 units. Output is still 100 items.
2. An engineer finds a crack in a test beam but the deadline is near. What should she do?
Report it truly and fix it. Safety and honesty come before the deadline.
3. Name one benefit and one cost of a car, and one fix.
Benefit: fast travel. Cost: smoke. Fix: use electric or shared vehicles, or a clean engine.
Common mistakes
- Thinking technology is always good or always bad. It has both benefits and costs.
- Thinking only big companies cause pollution. Small choices add up.
- Hiding a fault to save time or money.
- Thinking clean technology is a loss. It often saves money later.