Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science
Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science
This domain tests how people solve problems with materials, tools and systems, and how science is applied in homes, farms, transport, health and communication. Items focus on the design process, material properties, structures and appropriate technology.
The design process
- Define the problem and the user. List criteria (what success looks like) and constraints (cost, time, materials, safety).
- Generate several ideas, choose one, build a prototype, test it against the criteria, record results, improve it, and communicate the solution.
- A prototype is a first model, not the final product. Testing must be fair: change one thing at a time and use the same method each time.
Materials and structures
- Choose materials by properties: strength, hardness, flexibility, waterproofing, conductivity, cost and availability.
- Structures need stability: a wide base, a low centre of gravity, firm joints and bracing such as triangulation.
- Forces act on structures as tension (pulling) and compression (pushing).
- Simple machines and mechanisms make work easier; they do not reduce the total energy needed.
Technology in use
- Technology includes tools, machines, ICT, water treatment, vaccines, transport and farm equipment - not only computers.
- Appropriate technology fits local needs, skills, cost and environment. Every technology has benefits and risks; for example, pesticides raise yields but can pollute water.
Worked example
Design a straw bridge to span 30 cm and hold 500 g.
Reasoning: criteria are a 30 cm span and a 500 g load; constraints are limited straws, tape and time. A flat bundle bends easily, so add triangles (trusses) and a deeper side beam to resist bending. Test with weights, note where it fails, reinforce the joints and retest. Any improvement must be justified by the test evidence.
Traps that cost marks
- Mixing up criteria (what counts as success) with constraints (limits).
- Claiming a prototype is a finished product.
- Choosing a material because it looks nice without linking choice to properties.
- Thinking machines create energy rather than transfer or redirect force.
- Ignoring safety, cost or environmental effects when judging a design.
- Changing several design features at once and then not knowing which one helped.