TIJ1O - Exploring Technologies

History of Technology Research Project

Your task:
● Research a technological advancement in human history
● Document your research following the questions under the 3 headings below
● Use the following choice board to present your research

Animation Written Response Poster

Social Media Posting Greeting Card Presentation

Audio Pamphlet Trading card

Infographic Public Service Announcement Video

Screencast Mind Map Other

○ You don't need to answer all the questions, they are a guide of things to consider
● Submit your work at the end of the period as part of your RST (only work in-class)
○ You will have 3 periods to work on this project before a brief 1-on-1 conference

1. The Technology and How it Works

● Summarize your topic in point form here
○ what it is and how does it work
○ consider what materials are used, and give an understanding of its parts
● Embed a video that shows how the technology works
○ 2-8 min long
○ not the first video you find
○ good animation or demonstration of the technology
○ gets to the point
● Paste pictures and/or diagrams here too
● List all your sources

2. The History of the Technology

● Find information on who contributed to the development of the technology
○ What person or groups of people contributed to its development?
○ When was the technology developed?
○ Where?
○ Why was the technology developed? What need did it fill?
○ How? What earlier technologies were needed or contributed to the development?
TIJ1O - Exploring Technologies
History of Technology Research Project

3. Impact on Society and the Environment

● Research and reflect on how this technology would have changed people's lives, society
and the environment. Consider some of the following questions:
○ Why was the technology adopted? Did it make people's lives easier?
○ Who benefited from the technology? Does everyone benefit equally or were
some people left out?
○ Was or are any people or groups harmed by the technology?
○ Did the technology lead to the use or overuse of resources?
○ What waste does the technology produce?
○ Does this technology help the environment?
○ What further technologies did this one help to spur on?
○ Is this technology still used and where do you think it will go in the future?
● Wrap the research with a short personal reflection on the technology, any personal
thoughts or experience on it and what you've learned

List of Possible Topics (not limited to this list):

● The plough (plow)
● The saddle
● The loom (making clothes)
● Archimedes' screw (water pump)
● Mills (river, wind)
● Gears
● Paper
● The printing press
● Sanitation systems (sewers)
● Refrigeration
● The steam engine
● The internal combustion engine
● The assembly line
● The telegraph
● The lightbulb
● Radio
● The camera
● The internet