Problem Solvers on the Job E ngineers are professional problem solvers They use their knowledge of math chemistry and physics to design and create solutions to challenging problems They help make the world a better place Engineers build submarines and spaceships that can carry people safely to the bottom of the ocean and far out into space They design the world’s tallest buildings and machines so tiny Some engineers design new military technologies such as nuclear submarines and unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs or drones 4
An engineer works on a robotic arm Machines such as these greatly affect the lives of those who need them in countless ways you need a very powerful microscope in order to see them Engineers help keep the air clean and make sure our food is safe to eat The solutions they discover affect our lives in countless ways Engineers often work with other scientists Some scientists study the world as it is Engineers use science to create new things or to improve a product in the world The word engineer comes from the Latin word ingeniare meaning to create CO M PAR E AND CO NTRAST Engineers and other scientists often team up How might they solve a problem differently How might they solve it similarly 5
How Engineers Work E ngineers work in many industries The largest branches of engineering include civil mechanical chemical electrical VOCAB U LARY Industries are groups of businesses that provide particular products or services 6 and materials engineering Engineers from each branch solve different problems but they also perform many of the same functions After identifying a problem a team of engineers uses math and science to come up with a solution The design process usually starts with brainstorming A team of engineers tests a giant manned robot in a laboratory in South Korea
CAD software is used to make very accurate drawings of almost any object in both two and three dimensions Sometimes the craziest idea leads to a brilliant solution Once the team agrees on a design they test it A design may fail many tests and need to be reworked and corrected multiple times Failure is an important part of the process as it helps engineers make improvements Once testing is complete the design will be produced Eventually the final product goes into operation New computer technologies have changed the ways in which engineers work In seconds software programs make calculations that once took humans weeks to do Many engineers now rely on technologies such as CAD or computer aided design to do their work 7
