Skip to main content

What is Technology?

Youth consider the definition of technology as any thing or process humans (engineers) design to solve a problem.

Youth Will Know
  • A technology is any thing designed by humans to solve a problem. 
  • Engineers design and improve technologies. 
  • There are always opportunities to improve existing technologies. 

Activity Downloads

P2_What_Is_Technology_Educator_Guide
What Is Technology Educator Guide
pdf 546.67 KB
P2_What_Is_Technology_Engineering_Journal
What Is Technology Engineering Notebook (English)
pdf 186.44 KB
P2_What_Is_Technology_Engineering_Journal_Spanish
What Is Technology Engineering Notebook (Spanish)
pdf 423.39 KB
Image
Activity Trivia Icon

Setup

The Educator Guide has a script, materials list, and prep directions. Be sure to have it open and ready to help guide you through every activity. 

  • Post the Engineering Design Process poster. 
  • Copy and cut out the Technology Match Cards, Educator Guide pp. 13–23: one for each student or group. 
  • Watch and prepare to play the Engineering Everywhere Special Report video (9:51). 
Image
Activity Trivia Icon

Guiding Question

What is technology and how can it solve problems?

Image
Activity Trivia Icon

Youth Will Do

  • Match technologies based on the problem they solve. 
  • Imagine ways to improve the newer versions of technologies. 
Image
Activity Trivia Icon

Did You Know?

  • People can turn almost any thing into technology, if they use it to solve a problem. A rock can be used to grind corn or shaped into an arrowhead. 
Image
List icon

Quick Tips

  • Don't skip the video! It sets the stage for the entire unit. 
  • If youth are not familiar with the technologies on the cards, have them work in groups to figure out the pairs together. 

Glossary

  • Technology: any thing designed by humans to solve a problem 
  • Remote Sensing: to collect information from a distance 

Videos

Engineering Everywhere Special Report: Remote Sensing

Activity Timing

5 min
Introduction
10 min
Investigate
15 min
Imagine and Improve
15 min
Special Report Video
10 min
Reflect
55 min
Total