What engineers do, how systems work, and how engineering affects people, money and the environment — built around the Duns Park and Bluidy Burn flood-risk case study.

Open PDF Booklet Go to self-check
Revise the topic Learn sections, quiz and self-check to get ready for assessment. Case study help (Duns Park) A method, prompts and trusted sources for your own research — not answers. Check my booklet · I missed a lesson Answers and worked examples for the booklet tasks, plus the learn sections.

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📋 Revision focus — what to know for this unit tap to open

Revision focus

The full tasks and R/A/G tracking are in the booklet. This webpage is for quick revision.

  • Know the four main engineer types: electrical, mechanical, civil and chemical/materials.
  • Explain systems using input → process → output → feedback.
  • Use Duns Park and Bluidy Burn as a real engineering example.
  • Explain social, economic and environmental impacts.
  • Write answers using what + why.
👷 Types of engineers — electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical tap to open

Types of engineers

Most real projects need several types of engineers working together.

Electrical

Electrical engineer

Works with: electricity, electronics, wiring, sensors and control systems.

Example: lighting, motors, displays, monitoring systems.

Duns Park link: water-level sensors or data logging.

Mechanical

Mechanical engineer

Works with: moving parts, machines, forces and mechanisms.

Example: pumps, gates, valves, brakes, gears.

Duns Park link: pumps or moving flood-control parts, if needed.

Civil

Civil engineer

Works with: buildings, roads, bridges, drainage and infrastructure.

Example: paths, culverts, bridges, flood defences.

Duns Park link: drainage routes, paths and ground works.

Chemical

Chemical engineer

Works with: materials, fuels, coatings and chemical processes.

Example: rust protection, plastics, paints, water treatment.

Duns Park link: durable materials for wet outdoor conditions.

Revision tip: If a question asks what an engineer does, do not just name the engineer. Say what they would design or improve, then explain why it matters.

Real examples from class

Big projects need several engineer types working together. These are the examples used in your booklet.

Edinburgh Trams

Electrical: displays, wiring, lighting and power.

Mechanical: wheels, brakes and moving parts.

Civil: tracks, stations and structures.

Chemical: coatings and materials that resist weather and wear.

Queensferry Crossing

Electrical: bridge lighting and sensors.

Mechanical: cables, tensioning and moving joints.

Civil: towers, deck and foundations.

Chemical: rust-proof coatings for steel in a marine setting.

SpaceX rockets

Electrical: control, guidance and electronics.

Mechanical: engines, valves and moving parts.

Civil: launch pads and ground structures.

Chemical: fuels and heat-resistant materials.

Try it: sort the jobs

This is the booklet "Sort the jobs" task. Tap a job to select it, then tap the engineer who would do it. Tap Check when every job is placed.

Electrical
Mechanical
Civil
Chemical

⚙️ Systems thinking — input, process, output, feedback tap to open

Systems thinking

A system is a group of parts working together to do a job. Engineers often describe systems using input, process, output and feedback.

The four parts are: input (what goes in — a sensor detects a person), process (what happens inside — the control system sends a signal), output (the result — the door opens) and feedback (information used to check it — the system confirms the door opened fully).

Duns Park system example

Input: rainfall, surface water and groundwater.

Process: wetlands, drainage routes, planting and land shaping slow or store the water.

Output: reduced flood risk, better access and improved habitats.

Feedback: site checks, water-level data and community feedback show if the solution is working.

Try it: build a system diagram

Tap a tile to select it, then tap the correct slot to place it. Place all four parts of the Duns Park flood-management system.

Input Tap to place
Process Tap to place
Output Tap to place
Feedback Tap to place
🌊 Local case study — Duns Park and Bluidy Burn tap to open

Local case study: Duns Park and Bluidy Burn

This case study shows how engineering is used to solve a real local problem. The challenge is not only to reduce flooding. Engineers also need to think about access, safety, cost, habitats and long-term use of the park.

The problem

Flooding and waterlogged ground

Parts of Duns Park can become waterlogged and difficult to use. Paths, wetland areas and access routes may be affected when the ground is saturated.

The aim

Reduce flood risk

The aim is to manage water better while keeping the park useful, safe and good for wildlife.

Possible solution

Nature-based flood management

Wetlands, planting, drainage routes and land shaping can help slow, store or redirect water.

Engineering judgement

Balance different needs

A good solution should reduce flooding without creating unnecessary cost, disruption or environmental damage.

Big question: How could engineers help reduce flooding in Duns Park while keeping the park useful, safe and good for wildlife?

🌊 Balance the needs — match each feature to its main job

A good Duns Park design does more than stop flooding. Tap a feature, then tap the need it mainly serves (or drag it across). Then check.

Reduce flooding—
Keep it safe & usable—
Protect wildlife—
Keep cost & upkeep low—

Case study help — research it yourself

Your booklet case study (page 14) asks you to research a real project. For S3 that project is Duns Park and the Bluidy Burn. There is no answer sheet for this — it is your own research. Use the six prompts below, the sentence starters and the trusted sources at the foot of the page.

Research promptWhat to look for
What is the project?Describe what is being planned for the park and burn.
Why is it being developed?What problem (flooding, waterlogged ground) is it solving?
What materials or technology are used?Wetlands, drainage, planting, land shaping, sensors.
Who is it designed to help?Park users, local residents, wildlife.
Positive impacts?One social, one economic, one environmental — with a reason.
Negative impacts?Cost, disruption, or habitat risk during construction.

Sentence starters

The Duns Park project is about…

It is being developed because…

One positive impact is… This matters because…

One negative impact is… This affects…

What makes a strong case study answer?
  • Uses real detail from a trusted source, not a guess.
  • Covers all six prompts.
  • Gives at least one positive and one negative impact.
  • Explains every point with what + why.
🌍 Impacts of engineering — social, economic, environmental tap to open

Impacts of engineering

Engineering projects can have positive and negative impacts. A strong answer says what the impact is and why it matters.

Social

Effects on people

Positive: people may be able to use paths and park areas more often.

Negative: construction work may temporarily limit access.

Sentence starter: One social impact is...

Economic

Effects on money and jobs

Positive: a more usable park may support visitors and local events.

Negative: the project will cost money to design, build and maintain.

Sentence starter: One economic impact is...

Environmental

Effects on the natural world

Positive: wetlands and planting may improve habitats.

Negative: construction could disturb habitats if not planned carefully.

Sentence starter: One environmental impact is...

What + why example

Weak answer: It makes the park better.

Better answer: One positive social impact is that people may be able to use the park paths more often. This matters because flooding can make parts of the park difficult or unsafe to access.

Sort these impacts

Tap a statement to select it, then tap the correct column (Social, Economic or Environmental) to place it.

Social
Economic
Environmental

✅ Booklet answers — check your work / catch up tap to open

Check your booklet work

Try each task in your booklet first, then open the matching answer below. Where a task is open-ended, you will see an example of a strong answer — yours can be different, as long as it uses what + why.

Your case study (booklet page 14) is your own research, so it has no answer sheet. Use the Case study help section instead.

Engineers (booklet pages 2–6)

Quick Match — which engineer? p.2
  • Designs a bridge — Civil engineer
  • Works on engines and gears — Mechanical engineer
  • Designs wiring and control systems — Electrical engineer
  • Develops rust-proof coatings and plastics — Chemical engineer
Sort the jobs p.3

Electrical: designs a display screen.

Mechanical: works on a motor; works on brakes.

Civil: designs a road; designs a tunnel.

Chemical: develops fuel; improves water treatment; develops paint coatings.

Tip: you can try this as a tap-to-sort game in the Engineer types section.

Check your understanding p.3
  1. Engineering is about solving real problems using science, maths, technology and creativity.
  2. Engineers often work in teams.
  3. A civil engineer mainly works on buildings and infrastructure (roads, bridges, tunnels, dams).
  4. A chemical engineer mainly works on materials and chemical processes (fuels, plastics, coatings, water treatment).
Edinburgh Trams — modelled example p.5

Electrical: design the displays, wiring, lighting and power — passengers need clear information and the tram must run safely.

Mechanical: design the wheels, brakes and moving parts — the tram must move and stop safely and smoothly.

Civil: design the tracks, stations and structures — the tram needs a safe route and strong infrastructure.

Chemical: choose coatings, paints and materials — parts must resist rust, weather and wear.

Queensferry Crossing p.5

Example of a strong answer:

Electrical: design the bridge lighting and sensors so it is safe to use at night.

Mechanical: design the cables and moving joints so the bridge can flex safely in the wind.

Civil: design the towers, deck and foundations so the structure is strong.

Chemical: choose rust-proof coatings so the steel lasts in salty sea air.

SpaceX rockets + challenge p.6

Example of a strong answer:

Electrical: design the guidance and control electronics so the rocket flies accurately.

Mechanical: design the engines and valves so it launches and lands safely.

Civil: design the launch pad and ground structures.

Chemical: develop the fuels and heat-resistant materials.

Challenge: any engineer can be argued for, as long as you give a reason — e.g. "chemical engineers, because without the right fuel and heat shielding the rocket could not survive launch or re-entry."

Impacts (booklet pages 7–12)

Quick starter — what kind of impact? p.7
  1. A new sports centre creates jobs — economic
  2. Better street lighting makes people feel safer — social
  3. A new road damages local habitats — environmental
  4. Faster internet makes communication easier — social
  5. A new shopping area brings in money — economic
  6. A factory creates pollution — environmental
Quick Sort — social, economic or environmental p.8

Social: safer travel; easier communication.

Economic: more jobs; more tourism; higher building costs.

Environmental: habitat loss; less pollution; noise.

Note: "noise" can also be a social impact — what matters is that you explain who or what it affects.

Tip: you can try this as a tap-to-sort game in the Impacts section.

Check your understanding + sentence completions p.9
  1. Social impacts affect people's lives.
  2. Economic impacts affect money and jobs.
  3. Environmental impacts affect the natural world.
  4. Engineering projects can have both positive and negative impacts.

Example sentence completions:

One positive economic effect of a new leisure centre is that it creates jobs. This is important because local people earn money and spend it in the area.

One negative environmental effect of building a new road is that it destroys habitats. This affects the wildlife that lived there.

One positive social effect of better hospital equipment is that patients get better treatment. This matters because more lives can be saved.

Social impacts — smartphones & online gaming p.10

Examples of strong answers:

Smartphones — better: people can stay in touch and get help quickly. Worse: people may spend less time talking face to face.

Online gaming — positive: friends can play and talk together from anywhere. Negative: too much screen time can affect sleep and exercise.

Economic impacts — leisure centre & self-checkouts p.11

Examples of strong answers:

Leisure centre — gains: it creates jobs and brings customers to nearby cafés. Loses: other gyms or pools may lose customers.

Self-checkouts — gains: the supermarket saves on staff costs. Loses: some checkout workers may lose their jobs.

Environmental impacts — wind farm + practice summary p.12

Wind farm — example of a strong answer:

Positive: it makes clean electricity, which reduces fossil-fuel use and pollution.

Negative: building it can disturb habitats and some people think it spoils the view.

Practice summary:

  1. A new railway helps people get to work — social
  2. A new shopping area brings more customers — economic
  3. Building work damages local habitats — environmental
  4. Better street lighting makes an area feel safer — social
  5. A new factory creates jobs — economic

End of Topic Self-Check (booklet page 16)

End of Topic Self-Check answers p.16
  1. The four main types are electrical, mechanical, civil and chemical.
  2. A system is a group of parts working together to do a job. It has an input (what goes in), a process (what happens) and an output (the result).
  3. Example: a civil engineer could design the drainage and paths in Duns Park so that water flows away and the park stays usable.
  4. A social impact affects people's lives; an economic impact affects money and jobs.
  5. Example: one positive impact of the Duns Park project is reduced flooding. This matters because the park stays safe and usable for the community.

Key words to use:

  • Reliable — works properly again and again.
  • Efficient — does the job well with little waste.
  • Fit for purpose — suitable for the job.
  • Impact — an effect or change caused by something.

Poster or presentation help

Your final output should explain the case study clearly. It does not need to include every detail from the booklet.

Suggested structure

  1. What is the problem?
  2. Which engineers could be involved?
  3. How could the flood-management system work?
  4. What are the social, economic and environmental impacts?
  5. What is your recommendation?

Minimum evidence

  • At least three engineer types.
  • One input-process-output-feedback system diagram.
  • One positive and one negative impact.
  • A final recommendation using what + why.
🧠 Test yourself — quiz and interactive activities tap to open

Test yourself

Answer all questions, then tap Check answers to see how you did.

✅ Self-check — rate your confidence tap to open

These are the eight success criteria from your booklet. Rate yourself using 🔴 🟡 🟢. Your ratings are saved on this device.

  1. 1. I can name the 4 main types of engineering.
  2. 2. I can describe what different engineers do.
  3. 3. I can explain how engineers design, build, test and improve products and systems.
  4. 4. I can describe positive and negative effects of engineering on society.
  5. 5. I can describe positive and negative economic effects of engineering.
  6. 6. I can describe positive and negative environmental effects of engineering.
  7. 7. I can use real examples in my answers.
  8. 8. I can explain my ideas clearly using what + why.
Rate each criterion above to see a summary.
Best revision method: answer the questions out loud first, then check the booklet if you get stuck.
Useful links

PDF booklet

The full class booklet with tasks, tables and R/A/G tracking.

Open booklet

PPT slides (PDF)

The lesson presentation slides for this unit.

Open slides

Scottish Borders Council consultation

Information about the Duns Park and Bluidy Burn flood-risk project.

Open source

Council news article

Background on plans to relieve flood risk in the park area.

Open source

Funding article

Background on nature-based solutions and project funding.

Open source

Back to S3 Engineering Science

Sources & credits: Booklets © R Stewart, 2026.