Technology & Engineering will help you to understand the following:
How people use technology to make our world work.
Why technological systems work the way they do.
In what ways technology affects both people and our planet.
This book covers the seven areas of technological activity:
Communication and information.
Transportation.
Construction.
Manufacturing.
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Medicine.
Agriculture and biotechnology.
Energy and power.
In this book, you will learn that technology is a reaction to problems and opportunities—a
human adaptive system. You will learn that technological systems are made up of many
parts requiring tools. Also, you will learn about the problem-solving and design process,
especially the testing, evaluating, and communicating of design solutions.
Sections explore, in depth, the production of products and structures, communication
and information, agricultural and biorelated technologies, transportation, and the use of
energy. The management of technological systems is covered because every system must
have direction. The examination of societal and personal views of technology rounds out
the book.
Technology & Engineering is illustrated with photographs, drawings, diagrams, and
original artwork to help explain the concepts in the text. Most of these illustrations are
in color. This material has been carefully selected to make technology easy to under-
stand. Each chapter begins with objectives so you know what is covered. Key words
are in bold italics to help make you aware of them. Review questions and activities will
improve your understanding. The activities between sections provide you with valuable
hands-on experience.
Impacts, both positive and negative, accompany the use of technology. The only way
people in the modern world can choose and apply technology responsibly is to understand
how technology develops and how the various technological systems interact. A Student
Activity Manual has activities and exercises giving you important experience, while fully
enriching the concepts developed in the text.
A sound understanding of technology is vital for making wise choices. As you study,
you will see the effects of your choices. These choices control how technology is used.
Each person can make a difference to be sure that technology is used responsibly. With
a solid understanding of technology, you can understand and take an active part in our
human-built world.
Introduction