Science:

• A body of knowledge
• Seeks to describe and understand the natural world and its physical properties
• Scientific knowledge can be used to make predictions
• Science uses a process--the scientific method--to generate knowledge

Engineering:

• Design under constraint
• Seeks solutions for societal problems and needs
• Aims to produce the best solution given resources and constraints
• Engineering uses a process--the engineering design process--to produce solutions and technologies

Technology:

• The body of knowledge, processes, and artifacts that result from engineering
• Almost everything made by humans to solve a need is a technology
• Examples of technology include pencils, shoes, cell phones, and processes to treat water

In the real world, these disciplines are closely connected. Scientists often use technologies created by engineers to conduct their research. In turn, engineers often use knowledge developed by scientists to inform the design of the technologies they create.

Science, engineering, and technology are all situated in a larger society that determines what science and engineering get done. Human values, needs, and problems determine in large part what questions scientists investigate and what problems engineers tackle. In turn, the technological products of science and engineering influence society and change human culture.