LESSON 1

Science, Technology and lt's Significance to Society in Contemporary World

Content Standard:The learners demonstrate an understanding of the meaning of science, technology

and its significance.

Learning Outcomes:The students will be able to:1. State the meaning of Science and Technology;

2. Describe some notable developments of science and technology and its significance to the society;

3. Describe some disadvantages of science and technology.

Word Bank:Science, Technology, wheel, compass, Print, Compass, printing press, combustion engine,
telephone,Penicillin

Discussion.

The Meaning of Science and Technology

Science, technology and society (STS), also referred to as science and technology studies, is the study of
how social, political, and cultural values affect scientific research and technological innovation, and how
these, in turn, affect society. STS scholars are interested in a variety of problems including the
relationships between scientific and technological innovations and society, and the directions and risks
of science and technology. The field of STS is related to history and philosophy science although with a
much broader emphasis on social aspects of Science and technology.

Science, technology and society refers to the interaction between science and technology and social
cultural, political and economic contexts which shape and are shaped by them; specific examples
throughout human history of scientific and technological developments.

B. Meaning of Science

Science is a systematized body of knowledge

Science is an organized and dynamic inquiry (following scientific method)

Science is knowledge gained through observation and experimentation

Science is a human activity; scientist

Science is a social enterprise: people, knowledge, skills, facilities, apparatuses and technologies
Science leads to formation of concepts, methods, principles, theories, law and procedures which seek to
describe and explain nature and its Phenomena.

Meaning of Technology.

Technology as material products; results of scientific inquiry, hardware produced by a scientist

Technology as the application of knowledge in solving scientific and practical problems that will help
humans to survive and improve his life

Technology as human cultural activities or endeavors

Technology as a social enterprise - Technology is a complex system of knowledge, skills, people,

methods, tools, materials and resources applied and allocated to the development, operation and
production of a new or improved product, process orservices.Technology as modern technology based
on the advances of science since the end of WWII to the present.D. Some of the notable human
successes in the field of science and technologyHumans are ingenious species. Humans (Homo sapiens)
have dreamed up and created some amazing and far-out things. From the moment someone bashed a
rock on the ground to make the first sharp-edged tool, to the debut of the wheel to thedevelopment of
Mars rovers and the Internet, several key advancements stand out particularly revolutionary. Here are
some of most important inventions of all time. along with the science behind the invention and how
they came about.