Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
ENGINEERING IN SOCIETY
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
ENGINEERING IN SOCIETY
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Engineering
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 2
Grade code: 1.1.1.LI.2
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 1.1.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.1.1.LI.2
Theme: ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Subtheme: ENGINEERING IN SOCIETY
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
For class groups and homework, share this lesson page so learners also get the summary, objectives, and full lesson context.
Indicator Code & Statement: B1.1.1.1.2 - Outline the contributions of each engineering discipline in solving societal problems.
This section breaks down the major engineering disciplines. As a teacher, you will explain each one, using the Ghanaian examples to make the concepts tangible and relatable. What is Engineering? Engineering is the use of scientific principles (like mathematics, physics, and chemistry) to design, build, and maintain structures, machines, systems, and processes that solve human problems. Engineers are practical problem-solvers. Major Engineering Disciplines and Their Contributions in Ghana Civil Engineering What it is: Civil engineering is one of the oldest disciplines. It deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment. Think of it as the engineering of public infrastructure. Societal Problems Solved: Poor Transportation: Inadequate or bad roads make it difficult to transport goods (like cocoa from farms to the port) and for people to travel. Lack of Clean Water: Many communities lack access to safe drinking water, leading to diseases like cholera. Inadequate Shelter and Buildings: Need for safe, durable homes, schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings. Flooding: Poor drainage systems in cities like Accra cause flooding during the rainy season. Contributions & Ghanaian Examples: Roads and Bridges: Civil engineers design and supervise the construction of major highways like the Tema Motorway and the Adome Bridge, which connect regions and boost trade. Water Supply and Treatment: They design dams like the Akosombo Dam (which also generates power) and water treatment plants like the Weija Water Treatment Plant, which supplies clean water to Accra. Buildings and Structures: They ensure the structural safety of buildings like the Jubilee House, the Kejetia Market in Kumasi, and our own school buildings. Drainage Systems: They design large drains and gutters to manage stormwater and prevent flooding. Mechanical Engineering What it is: Mechanical engineering deals with the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of machines and mechanical systems. It involves anything that moves, from a small engine to a large power plant. Societal Problems Solved: Power Generation: Ghana needs a reliable electricity supply for homes and industries. Transportation: Need for vehicles to move people and goods. Food Processing: Need for machines to process raw agricultural produce like cocoa, cassava, and maize. Manufacturing: Need to produce goods locally instead of importing them. Contributions & Ghanaian Examples: Power Plants: Mechanical engineers design and maintain the turbines and generators in both hydroelectric plants (Akosombo Dam) and thermal power plants (Karpowership, VRA plants in Aboadze). Automotive Industry: They are involved in designing and assembling vehicles, as seen at Kantanka Automobile. They also maintain the large machinery used in mining and construction. Agro-processing Machinery: They design machines like corn shellers, cassava graters, and cocoa pod breakers that reduce manual labour and increase efficiency for farmers. HVAC Systems: They design the Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems used in large buildings like the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel or the Kotoka International Airport (Terminal 3). Electrical and Electronic Engineering What it is: This discipline focuses on electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. Electrical engineering deals with large-scale generation and distribution of power, while electronic engineering deals with smaller circuits, like those in computers and phones. Societal Problems Solved: Lack of Electricity: Many rural and urban areas face inconsistent power supply ("dumsor"). Poor Communication: Need for reliable ways for people to communicate over long distances. Control Systems: Need for automated systems in factories and homes. Contributions & Ghanaian Examples: Power Grid: Electrical engineers design and manage the national power grid, including transmission lines and substations managed by the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) and distribution by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). Telecommunications: Electronic engineers have built the infrastructure for mobile networks like MTN, Vodafone, and AirtelTigo, allowing for widespread mobile phone use and internet access. Renewable Energy: They are at the forefront of designing and installing solar power systems, such as the Navrongo Solar Power Station, to provide clean energy. Consumer Electronics: They design and help manufacture electronic devices we use daily, from televisions to mobile money payment systems. Agricultural Engineering What it is: Agricultural engineering applies engineering principles to farming and food production. It's a blend of mechanical, civil, and chemical engineering focused on agriculture. Societal Problems Solved: Food Insecurity: Need to produce more food to feed a growing population. Post-harvest Losses: A significant portion of harvested crops spoil before they can be sold or eaten due to poor storage and processing. Drought and Unreliable Rainfall: Dependence on rain-fed agriculture makes farming difficult in many parts of Ghana. Contributions & Ghanaian Examples: Irrigation Systems: They design and build irrigation schemes like the Tono and Kpong Irrigation Projects, which allow farmers to grow crops like rice and vegetables year-round. Farm Machinery: They design and adapt machinery like tractors, ploughs, and harvesters suitable for Ghanaian soil conditions and crops. Food Storage and Processing: They develop improved storage structures like silos to protect grains from pests and spoilage. They also design facilities for processing cassava into gari or drying grains. Chemical Engineering What it is: Chemical engineering involves using chemistry, physics, and biology to transform raw materials into useful products. It deals with large-scale chemical processes. Societal Problems Solved: Fuel and Energy: Need to refine crude oil into petrol, diesel, and kerosene. Public Health: Need for clean water and safe disposal of waste. Value Addition: Need to process our natural resources like cocoa and gold into more valuable products. Contributions & Ghanaian Examples: Petroleum Refining: Chemical engineers work at the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) to process crude oil into fuels that power cars and generate electricity. They are also vital in the offshore oil and gas industry. Water Purification: They design the processes used at water treatment plants to add chemicals like chlorine to kill germs and make water safe to drink. Food and Beverage Industry: They are involved in large-scale production of drinks at companies like Coca-Cola or Accra Brewery Limited, and processing cocoa into chocolate at companies like Niche Cocoa. Pharmaceuticals: They help design processes to manufacture medicines at local pharmaceutical companies.
Guided Practice (With Solutions)
Instructions for Teacher: Present these questions one by one. Have students think individually, then discuss with a partner before sharing with the class. This "Think-Pair-Share" approach encourages participation.
Question 1: The government of Ghana wants to build a new bridge over the Volta River to connect two towns, which will boost trade and reduce travel time. Which *primary* engineering discipline would lead this project, and why? Solution: Discipline: Civil Engineering. Reasoning: Civil engineering is the discipline responsible for designing and constructing public infrastructure like bridges, roads, and dams. A civil engineer would be needed to study the river, design the bridge's structure to be safe and strong, and oversee its construction.