Slide 1 - Technology and Science

Slide 2 - The Study of Technology

• Many countries in the world have been and are now implementing the study of technology.

Slide 3 - In the United States as well as in other countries, there is confusion about the term “technology.”

Slide 4 - In 2001 and 2004 polls conducted in the US found a majority of Americans (62% in 2004 and 59% in 2001) responded that science and technology are basically one and the same thing.

Slide 5 - When asked how important it is for high school students to understand the relationship between science and technology, 98% of the Americans stated that they thought that this was “very or somewhat important”.

Slide 6 - Most Americans (68% in 2004 & 67% in 2001) view technology very narrowly as being computers, electronics, and the internet.

Slide 7 - There was near total consensus (98% in 2004 & 97% in 2001) in the public sampled that schools should include the study of technology in the curriculum.

Slide 8 - What is Science?

• What is Technology?

Slide 9 - Science seeks to understand the natural world.

• National Science Education Standards, National Research Council, 1996.

Slide 10 - Science

• The goal of science is often to describe, explain, and predict relationships that occur naturally.
• In other words, science tries to explain objects and events.
• E.g., How do changes in the kind of soil affect how abundantly mushrooms grow?

Slide 11 - What is Technology?

• It is the innovation, change, or modification of the natural environment in order to satisfy perceived human wants and needs. (Standards for Technological Literacy, ITEA, 2000)
• The goal of technology is to make modifications in the world to meet human needs. (National Science Education Standards, NRC, 1996)

Slide 12 - What is Technology ? (Continued)

• In the broadest sense, technology extends our abilities to change the world: to cut, shape, or put together materials; to move things from one place to another; to reach farther with our hands, voices, and senses. (Benchmarks for Science Literacy, AAAS, 1993)
• Technology is the process by which humans modify nature to meet their needs and wants. (Technically Speaking: Why All Americans Need to Know More About Technology, NAE/NRC, 2002)

Slide 13 - Technology

• The goal of technology is to try and change the relationship that exists to achieve desirable results.
• In other words, technology tries to change objects and events.
• E.g., how can we stop mushrooms from growing on lawns?

Slide 14 - Science vs. Technology

• Deals with the natural world.
• Is very concerned with what is (exists) in the natural world. (i.e.: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, Geology, etc.)
• Deals with how humans modify, change, alter, or control the natural world.
• Is very concerned with what can or should be designed, made, or developed from natural world materials and substances to satisfy human needs and wants

Slide 15 - Science vs. Technology (Continued)

• Is concerned with processes that seek out the meaning of the natural world by “inquiry”, “discovering what is”, “exploring”, and using “the Scientific Method”.
• Is concerned with such processes that we use to alter/change the natural world such as “Invention”, Innovation”, Practical Problem Solving, and Design.

Slide 16 - Example: Science vs. Technology

• How do changes in the kind of soil affect how abundantly mushrooms grow?
• How can we stop mushrooms from growing on lawns?

Slide 17 - Science vs. Technology

• A scientist would attempt to explain how the changes in soil affect how abundantly mushrooms grow.
• A technologist would attempt to develop ways to stop mushroom growth on lawns.
• These fields have much in common. Often the information gathered by the scientist is used by the technologist to make a useful product.

Slide 18 - While technology and science have a common denominator being the natural world, they are similar yet very different.

• Technology is not any more “applied science” than science is “applied technology”.

Slide 19 - Environment

• Science and technology have many impacts, both positive and negative, on the environment.
• Example:
• How will the environment be affected by the scientific and technological ideas of airplanes?

Slide 20 - Affects on the Environment

• Increased pollution
• Increased use of fuel
• As humans travel globally they carry and spread disease from one area of the world to another.
• Ecosystems destroyed to build runways.
• Affects of pesticides on organisms other than the crops sprayed.