Module One: Orientations to Technology

Introduction

Science, technology, and society are tightly interconnected and play important roles in many aspects of our lives. For example, our society is highly dependent on the products of science and technology.

The 20th century was a century of unprecedented technological achievement. Many significant inventions in the areas of medicine, transportation, communications, energy, and daily living were developed and commercialized.

Science finds, Industry applies, Man conforms

From the Guide to the Columbian Exposition of the Chicago World's Fair of 1893.
Science and technology are separate entities, each with its own set of objectives and values. In a recent article entitled "Prizing the Profession" in ASEE Prism, January 2001, Henry Petroski writes:

Though often confused, science and engineering are of course distinct but coequal human endeavors: science studies what is; engineering creates what never was. This simple but practical definition, attributed to the rocket engineer Theodore von Karman, highlights the different objectives of those who work in the different fields. At the same time, it reveals how scientists can cross over into the field of engineering, and vice versa.

The Manhattan Project is an excellent example of scientists extending their studies of nature to engineer a new thing. The development of the steam engine, in a time when there was no science of thermodynamics, is an equally classic example of engineers creating something practical before it had a theoretical foundation. In today's world of science and engineering the fields typically advance together. Teams of scientists looking for the most elusive of subatomic particles must engineer elaborate and expensive super machines to detect them. Engineering teams working on designs of lighter but safer airplanes often have to advance the frontiers of materials science to achieve their goals.