Comparing Engineering and Science Practices

Comparing Engineering and Science Practices

They're related, but have different purposes

• Science is to come up with explanations about phenomena

• Engineering is the practice of solving problems with designed solutions

Both involve investigations

• Science - learn how and why things work

• Engineering - design and solve problems

• Scientists might ask questions like: "What causes..." "Why does..." "How does..."

• Engineers might ask questions like: "What is the best..." "What type of..."

Multiple Choice

What causes diamonds to form in the earth?

• Science

• Engineering

Multiple Choice

What is the most effective glass thickness for a small greenhouse?

• Science

• Engineering

Multiple Choice

What type of material best allows a building to withstand an earthquake?

• Science

• Engineering

Multiple Choice

What type of drill is the best to use for a sand mining operation?

• Science

• Engineering

Multiple Choice

What causes the change in seasons?

• Science

• Engineering

Ask questions and Define Problems

A tensile strength test could be used to investigate a science question, such as how the chemical properties of a material relate to its ability to withstand being pulled out of shape. The same test could be used to solve an engineering question, such as what material could be used to manufacture a part that must stretch less than 1% of its length when a certain-sized load is applied to it.

Tensile Test Video

Tensile Test

• A possible question a scientist might try to find an explanation for is how chemical properties of a material relate to its ability to withstand being pulled.

• What kind of problem might an engineer try to solve by doing a tensile test?

Poll

What kind of problem might an engineer try to solve by doing a tensile test?

• Finding a type of tape that won't break after holding a package together.

• Finding which tire material that allows a bike to go the fastest.

• Finding a type of metal that makes a cooking pot heat up the fastest.