Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
ENGINEERING IN SOCIETY
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ENGINEERING IN SOCIETY
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Subject: Engineering
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 4
Grade code: 1.1.1.LI.4
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 1.1.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.1.1.LI.4
Theme: ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Subtheme: ENGINEERING IN SOCIETY
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This lesson explores the foundational skills that unite all engineers, regardless of their specialisation. From the person who designs the roads we travel on (Civil Engineer) to the one who creates the apps on our phones (Software Engineer), a core set of abilities is essential for success. Understanding these common skills is crucial for any student considering a future in engineering. It helps us appreciate the complexity of projects like the Akosombo Dam, the Tema Motorway, or even the new tro-tro tracking apps, and see how different experts collaborate to build our nation, Ghana.
A. Major Engineering Disciplines in Ghana
Before we discuss common skills, let's understand the main fields of engineering. While there are many specialisations, these are some of the most common ones you will encounter in Ghana: Civil Engineering: Deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment. *Ghanaian Context:* Building roads (N1 Highway), bridges (Adomi Bridge), dams (Bui Dam), buildings (Jubilee House), and water supply systems. Mechanical Engineering: Involves the design, production, and operation of machinery and tools. *Ghanaian Context:* Designing engines for vehicles at Kantanka Automobile, maintaining equipment at the Tema Oil Refinery, or developing processing machines for cassava or cocoa. Electrical Engineering: Focuses on electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. *Ghanaian Context:* Managing the national power grid (GRIDCo), designing wiring for new estates in East Legon, or working on telecommunication systems for companies like MTN or Vodafone. Chemical Engineering: Applies principles of chemistry, physics, and biology to transform raw materials into more useful products. *Ghanaian Context:* Refining crude oil into petrol at TOR, manufacturing pharmaceuticals at Ernest Chemists, or processing food and beverages at Kasapreko Company Limited. Agricultural Engineering: Combines engineering with agriculture to improve farming efficiency and sustainability. *Ghanaian Context:* Designing irrigation systems for farms in the Afram Plains, developing storage silos to reduce post-harvest losses, or creating machinery for planting and harvesting yams. Computer/Software Engineering: Involves the design, development, and testing of computer hardware and software. *Ghanaian Context:* Developing mobile money platforms (like MTN Momo), creating websites and apps for Ghanaian businesses, or managing IT infrastructure for banks. B. The Common Skill Set: The Engineer's Toolkit
Despite their different focuses, all engineers rely on a shared set of skills. We can group these skills into two main categories: Technical Skills and Professional Skills. Technical Skills (Hard Skills) These are the specific, teachable abilities usually learned through education and training. They are quantifiable and often involve specific knowledge. Strong Foundation in Mathematics and Science: This is the language of engineering. *Explanation:* Engineers use calculus to model changing systems, physics to understand forces and energy, and chemistry to understand material properties. *Example:* A Civil Engineer calculating the load-bearing capacity of a concrete pillar for a new high-rise building in Accra uses principles of physics (forces) and advanced mathematics. Computer Literacy and Programming: Modern engineering is impossible without computers. *Explanation:* This includes using basic software (spreadsheets, word processors) and specialised software like Computer-Aided Design (CAD). Many engineers also need to know programming languages like Python or C++. *Example:* A Mechanical Engineer at Kantanka uses CAD software (like AutoCAD or SolidWorks) to design a new car part before it is physically built. A Software Engineer uses languages like Java or Python to build a new banking app. Technical Drawing and Design: The ability to create and interpret technical blueprints and schematics. *Explanation:* Engineers must communicate complex ideas visually. Blueprints are the detailed instructions for building something. *Example:* An Electrical Engineer designs a circuit diagram showing how a new office complex in Kumasi should be wired. A construction foreman must be able to read this drawing perfectly. Professional Skills (Soft Skills) These are interpersonal skills and personal attributes that determine how well an individual works and interacts with others. They are crucial for turning technical knowledge into real-world success. Problem-Solving: This is the absolute core of engineering. *Explanation:* Engineers are fundamentally problem-solvers. They identify a problem, analyse it, brainstorm potential solutions, test them, and implement the best one. *Example:* Problem: Perennial flooding in the Odaw River basin in Accra. An engineering team would use their problem-solving skills to analyse the cause (silt, plastic waste, inadequate drainage), design solutions (dredging the river, building storm drains, creating waste traps), and oversee the project. Critical Thinking: The ability to analyse information objectively and make a reasoned judgement. *Explanation:* Engineers don't just accept information. They question it, look for evidence, and evaluate different options before making a decision. *Example:* A Chemical Engineer at a factory is told a new, cheaper chemical can be used in a process. Instead of just agreeing, they use critical thinking to research the new chemical's properties, potential safety risks, and its long-term effect on the final product before approving its use. Creativity and Innovation: Finding new and better ways to do things. *Explanation:* Engineering is not just about applying old formulas. It's about inventing new solutions. *Example:* An Agricultural Engineer in Northern Ghana, faced with drought, might creatively design a low-cost, solar-powered drip irrigation system using locally available bamboo and recycled plastics instead of expensive imported pipes. Communication Skills (Oral, Written, Visual): *Explanation:* An engineer must be able to explain complex ideas clearly to different audiences—from technical team members to non-technical clients, government officials, or community members. *Example:* A Civil Engineer proposing a new bypass road in Takoradi must write a detailed technical report for the Ministry of Roads and Highways, but also be able to explain the project's benefits and impact in simple terms at a community meeting with local chiefs and residents. Teamwork and Collaboration: *Explanation:* Major engineering projects are never done by one person. Engineers must work effectively in teams with other engineers, architects, technicians, financiers, and managers. *Example:* The construction of the Kejetia Market in Kumasi required civil engineers (for the structure), electrical engineers (for lighting and power), and mechanical engineers (for ventilation systems) to collaborate closely to ensure the project was completed successfully. Ethical Responsibility and Professionalism: *Explanation:* Engineers have a duty to protect public health, safety, and welfare. They must act with integrity, honesty, and be aware of the environmental and social impact of their work. *Example:* An engineer who discovers a flaw in the design of a building that could make it unsafe has an ethical responsibility to report it, even if it causes delays or costs more money. Cutting corners to save money, like using substandard iron rods, is a major ethical violation. Lesson Activity: Concept Mapping (Talk for Learning) Divide the class into 5-6 groups. Assign each group one engineering discipline (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, etc.). Brainstorm (5 mins): In your groups, list all the skills you think an engineer in your assigned field would need. Share and Web (15 mins): One group (e.g., Civil Engineering) comes to the board and writes their discipline in a central circle. They then write their brainstormed skills in smaller circles connected to the centre. The teacher then moderates a discussion. "Which of these skills do you think a Mechanical Engineer would also need?" As skills are identified as common, draw lines connecting them or move them to a central "COMMON SKILLS" area on the board. . Build on It: The next group (e.g., Mechanical) comes up. They add any new skills specific to their field but also connect to the common skills already identified. Other groups can respectfully add or suggest connections. Synthesise: By the end, the board will show a large web or concept map, visually demonstrating how all disciplines are linked by a core set of common skills.
Guided Practice (With Solutions)