Sean Borchers

4th period
Engineers Verses Scientists

Who They Are

Engineers and scientists share similar characteristics in the work of each profession, so
much so that some do not know the distinction between the two. Both professions use math
and the sciences, such as physics and chemistry, to some degree and pursue topics of similar
interest. However, a scientist serves a different purpose from an engineer in those interest.
The scientist is the one who observes the natural world and asks questions and creates
theories based on what was observed. Scientists expand on what they experience by
developing ideas that are relative unknowns to the rest of humanity, performing research and
experiments to help verify and build on what they already know.
The engineer is the one who takes what is discovered by the scientist and develops
practical solutions to problems in the natural world. Engineers will typically design products and
build them as tools to achieve success and/or improve on the problem at hand. Engineers can
also research and perform experiments, but they are typically based on the product they are
trying to create, whereas the scientists focus on the overall ideas they are trying to create.
What They Do
One common aspect of each profession is the method or process they use to pursue
their interests. Scientists use the scientific method, while engineers use the engineering design
process. The scientific method consists of asking a question about an observation of the natural
world, researching that question, creating a hypothesis and testing that hypothesis, collecting
data and making conclusions, and communicating results. Meanwhile, the engineering design
process consists of defining a problem in the natural world, researching that problem, defining
constraints, developing and testing a solution, and communicating results. Both processes are
similar in that a topic is defined, researched, solution-tested, and communicated. However, the
purpose of each field comes into play with scientists being idea-oriented, having a question and
a hypothesis, while engineers are problem-oriented, having this defined problem and
constraints.
Conclusion
Overall, scientists and engineers have their similarities and differences, but they use
those characteristics to complement each other in the real world. The scientist asks the “What”
question, leading them to find the “Why” answer about it, while the engineer develops the
“how” implications and completes the cycle of discovering and creating new things in our
universe.
 Works Cited
Comparing the engineering design process and the scientific method. (n.d.). Retrieved
September 3, 2019, from Science Buddies website:
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/engineering-design-
process/engineering-design-compare-scientific-method
Engineering. (2019). In Gale In Context Online Collection. Detroit, MI: Gale. Retrieved from
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IOMZAY539207255/GPS?u=tel_k_cmsmb&sid=GPS&xid
=ab5b308f
Helmenstine, A. M., sciences, P. D. D. H. holds a P. D. in biomedical, Writer, I. a S., educator,
school, consultant S. has taught science courses at the high, college, & Levels, G. (n.d.).
Engineer vs scientist—What’s the difference? Retrieved August 29, 2019, from
ThoughtCo website: https://www.thoughtco.com/engineer-vs-scientist-whats-the-
difference-606442