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Grade 7 · Science · Unit 12 of 16

Technology & Trade-offs

Design factors, benefits, risks and rethinking tech

What your child practises

Children think about what makes a good design, why technologies have benefits and drawbacks, and how communities can change a technology when they learn more.

Manitoba Curriculum learning outcome: SCI.7.D.5, SCI.7.D.6, SCI.7.D.7, SCI.7.D.8 · design factors, trying strategies, predictable and unforeseen consequences, and reconsidering technologies

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which strategy can help you test a design before you build it?

    • making a drawing or model
    • guessing
    • asking nobody
    • skipping the test

  2. Question 2

    Manufacturing makes goods affordable. A possible downside is…

    • no jobs
    • shorter days
    • pollution from factories
    • higher prices always

  3. Question 3

    Pumping groundwater helps farms get water. A possible unforeseen problem is…

    • the aquifer can be used up faster than it refills
    • wells become taller
    • rivers freeze
    • water becomes lighter

  4. Question 4

    Old phones and computers that are thrown away can cause…

    • faster Wi-Fi
    • more clean water
    • electronic waste (e-waste)
    • less pollution

  5. Question 5

    Hydroelectric dams provide clean electricity. One impact to evaluate is…

    • longer days
    • lower prices of lumber
    • more snow in July
    • flooding of land and changes to river ecosystems

  6. Question 6

    Many communities moved away from lead paint and leaded gasoline after learning about health effects. This shows…

    • technologies never change
    • technologies can be replaced when new information appears
    • all technology is harmless
    • science is never used

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