21st Century Events: Science and Technology

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Americans

marveled at the Wright Brothers’ flight and the Model T Ford. The

first commercial computer was built in the 1950s. In 1969

Americans landed on the moon. By the year 2000, the Internet

and e-mail were household words. Where will we go from here? In

August 2012, NASA safely landed the rover Curiosity on Mars! With

these advancements in science and technology, it seems

anything is possible.

In the early 1900s, a simple cut finger could be fatal. Advances in science and

medicine have helped us understand how the human body works. As a result of ongoing

studies, new medications, and new technologies people

are living longer and healthier lives.

Advances in transportation, such as GPS, make

travel faster and shipping products more efficient each

day. Computers control traffic lights that keep traffic

moving safely and help air traffic controllers safely guide

over 30,000 flights a day through the air.

Today, social media posts to networks like Facebook can be seen around the world in

seconds. Today’s smartphone can perform over 2 billion operations per second. Is this instant

communication more positive or more negative for our society? Some people believe this

instant communication is like an addiction, others disagree. What do you think?

Adapted from Pearson myWorld Social Studies: Building Our Nation