iii
Foundations of Engineering & Technology will help you to understand the
following:
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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.
■
How engineering is needed to create technology.
Foundations of Engineering & Technology ties engineering into the seven
areas of technological activity:
■
Manufacturing.
■
Construction.
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Energy.
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Information and communication.
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Transportation.
■
Medicine and health technologies.
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Agriculture and biotechnology.
In this book, you will learn that technology is a reaction to problems and oppor-
tunities—a human adaptive system. You will learn about technological systems
and how the engineering design process is used to create them. You will also
learn about the problem-solving and engineering design process, including how
to test, evaluate, and communicate design solutions.
Sections in the text explore the connection between technology and engi-
neering, the steps in the engineering design process, the technological systems,
the designed world, and the partnership between technology and society.
Foundations of Engineering & Technology contains many photographs, draw- y
ings, diagrams, and original artwork that help explain the concepts in the text. This
material has been carefully selected to make technology and engineering understand-
able. Each chapter begins with objectives so you know what is covered. Technical
Terms appear in bold italics in each chapter to increase your awareness of them.
Test Your Knowledge questions, Critical Thinking activities, and STEM Applications
improve your understanding of chapter materials. Engineering Design activities and
TSA Modular Activities help you apply chapter content to real-world situations.
Impacts, both positive and negative, accompany the use of technology. The
only way people in the modern world can choose and apply technology respon-
sibly is to understand how technology develops, how the various technological
systems work, and how engineering is applied to these systems.
Dr. R. Thomas Wright is one of the leading fi gures in technology-education fi
curriculum development in the United States. Dr. Wright has served the profes-
sion through many professional offices. These offices fi include president of the fi
International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) and
president of the Council on Technology Teacher Education (CTTE; now known
as the Council on Technology and Engineering Teacher Education [CTETE]).
Introduction
About the authors