Answer the following question on your agree or

disagree sheet.What technology has

influenced your life the most? Why?

Objectives:

• Be able to define the purpose of the following technologies; dams, levees, aqueducts, irrigation, roads & bridges,

• Identify ways in which technologies have modified the physical environment.

How Have Technologies

Modified the Physical Environment?

• Technological innovations have been used by people to change the physical environment.

• Example: The use of steel plows allowed farmers to turn their land into productive farmland.

•NOT all changes in the physical environment

have been good!

1. Dam• A dam is a barrier across flowing

water that obstructs, directs or slows down the flow often creating a lake.

• Problems:– Ecology– Water temperature– Oxygen contenthttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/dam/basics.html

Hoover Dam•Colorado River ran wild for years

•Grand Canyon

•Flooded farmland

•Drought

•Cattle died

•Crops were destroyed

2. Levee• The main purpose of a levee is to

prevent flooding of the adjoining countryside.

• Problem: They continue the flow of the river resulting in higher and faster water flow

• Levee Breach: Hurricane Katrina

3. Aqueducts:• An artificial channel that is

constructed to convey water from one location to another.

• The Colorado River aqueduct supplies the LA area with water.

4. Irrigation:• Is the artificial application of water to

the soil usually for assisting in growing crops.

• Problems:– Water pollution– Decrease of underground aquifers

5. Roads:• An identifiable route, way or path

between two or more places.

• Roads are typically smoothed or paved to prepare for travel. (They did not used to be!!!)

6. Bridges:• Is a structure built to span a gorge,

valley, road, railroad track, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/basics.html

REVIEW

1. How have levees along the Missouri River mainly affected the environment?

– A.) They have made the local water safe for drinking?

– B.) They have enabled fish to move upstream past dams.

– C.) They have generated electricity from the passing water.

– D.) They have protected the surrounding countryside from flooding.

D

1. How do people benefit from aqueducts?

– A.) They have warmed the water temperature.

– B.) They enable water to be channeled to other cities for use.

– C.) They protect the surrounding countryside from flooding.

– D.) They have polluted the water.

B

What is the purpose of a dam?

• A.) To retain water

• B.) To generate electricity

• C.) Obstruct, direct or slow down the flow of water.

• D.) All of the Above

D

Technology How did this technology modify the physical environment?

The Telegraph

Samuel F.B. Morse invented the telegraph. It worked by sending electrical signals over a wire. In his system known as the Morse code, each letter of the alphabet is represented by its own mix of signals. This invention allowed people to communicate across the country in a short time period. Before this invention their only form of communication was mail, which could take months.

“Ticket Out”

On a separate piece of paper answer the following question:

*Predict an invention that will

modify the physical world in the future. Be creative , but realistic!!!