Lesson 1: Historical antecedents of science and technology

Intended learning outcome:

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

 discuss the historical antecedents of science and technology across
time; and
 explain how Philippine scientific and technological inventions were
shaped by various social contexts

One of the key interests of STS as an academic field is the history of science and
technology. As a strand of STS, the history of science and technology focuses on how
science and technology have changed across time.
Study the picture below. Try to guess their names and from what period did they
belong.
 Now that you have identified their names and from what period these inventions
belong, can you guess its purpose/s?

An antecedent is defined as a precursor to the unfolding or existence of something.

Thus, historical antecedents in science and technology are factors that paved the way for
the presence of advanced and sophisticated scientific and technological innovations
today. Knowledge of the history of science and technology is useful in appraising these
innovations today.
Ancient Period
The rise of ancient civilizations paved the way fir advances in science and
technology. These advances during the Ancient Period allowed civilizations to flourish by
finding better ways of communication, transportation, self-organization, and of living in
general.
 Middle Ages
Between the collapse of the Roman Empire in 5th century AD and the colonial
expansion of Western Europe in late 15th century AD, major advances in scientific and
technological development took place. These include steady increase of new inventions,
introduction of innovations in traditional production, and emergence of scientific thinking
and method. Also, some of humanity’s most important present-day technologies could be
traced back to their humanity’s most important present-day technologies could be traced
back to their historical antecedents in the Middle Ages.

Modern Ages
As the world population steadily increased, people of the Modern Ages realized
the utmost importance of increasing the efficiency of transportation, communication, and
production. Industrialization took place with greater risks in human health, food safety and
environment which had to be addressed as scientific and technological progress unfolded
at an unimaginable speed.
 Inventions by Filipino Scientists
The Philippines boasts of its own history and tradition of scientific and
technological innovations. Filipinos have long been known for their ingenuity. As with all
other inventions, necessity has always been the mother of Philippine inventions.
Throughout Philippine history, Filipinos are responsible for developing many
scientific and technological innovations focused on navigation, traditional ship building,
textiles, food processing, indigenous arts and techniques, and even cultural inventions.
The following are some of the most important inventions by Filipino scientists.

In this task, you will address this question: “If you were an inventor, what would
you invent?” In thinking about an invention, make sure that you come up with one that
has not yet been invented yet, but it is possible to be invented in the near future.
On the space below, sketch a draft of your invention then answer the questions
that follow.
1. What is the name of your invention? What does it do?
2. How is your invention similar or different from existing tools/technologies in terms
of function?
3. Why is there a need for this invention? How will this invention make the world a
better place to live in?
 Feedback !

Illustration (i.e., collage, drawing) will be graded with the use of this rubric below:

30pts-26pts 25pts-20pts 19pts-15pts 14pts and below

CRITERIA / SCALE
EXCEEDS STANDARDS MEETS STANDARDS BELOW STANDARD NO EFFORT

➢ The students’ work ➢ The output shows

➢ The students’ work ➢ The students’ work
demonstrates a little or no evidence
o Creativity demonstrates lacked sincere
unique level of of original thought.
originality. originality.
originality.
➢ The students
➢ The students gave completed the ➢ The student finished ➢ The student finished
an effort far beyond activity in an above the activity but can the activity but with
o Effort
the requirement of average manner, yet be improved with no effort.
the said activity. more could have little effort.
been done.
➢ The instruction was ➢ Did not follow the
➢ The instruction was ➢ The instruction was said instruction and
clearly followed, and
o Clarity of the followed, and the merely followed, and the illustration
illustration
Illustration illustration was the illustration needs cannot be
surpassed the
good. a little touch-up. understood.
expectation.
➢ The illustration was ➢ The illustration was ➢ The illustration was ➢ The illustration was
o Explanation well explained. mostly explained. somewhat not explained.
explained.
 Historical antecedents emphasize the various social, cultural, economic, and
political impacts of scientific and technological innovation throughout the history.
 Understanding how previous generations influenced and were influenced by
developments in science and technology, today’s generation can come up with
informed decisions on the proper application of science and technology to daily
life.
 "Necessity is the mother of invention;" in other words, people create things
because society has complicated issues that need to be overcome. Innovations
work because they perform practical jobs that people know need to do.
 Science, technology, and engineering are essential criteria for any prosperous
society, especially in today's search for knowledge-based economies. If nations
struggle to adopt science and technology, then the chances of improving
themselves become negligible, and hence may even be listed as an undeveloped
country.
 Science and technology have profoundly affected society, and its effect is on the
rise. By fundamentally altering our ways connection, how we work, our shelter,
clothes and food, our transport systems, and even the duration and the quality of
life itself, science has brought about improvements in morale values and
fundamental human philosophies.
 Science has changed how we live, and what we believe, starting with the plow.
Science has given man the ability to address social issues such as economics,
architecture, schooling, and justice by making life easier; to build cultures; and to
change the human circumstances.
Suggested Readings
https://www.uv.es/uvweb/university-institute-history-medicine-science/en/research/-
completed-projects-lines-previous-centers/science-technology-society-middle-age-early-
modern-period-1285895971799.html
https://gineersnow.com/engineering/surprising-filipino-inventions-might-want-know

References
Quinto, E., et.al. (2019). “Science, Technology and Society. Published on 2019 by C & E
Publishing, Inc.

https://read.cash/@OverThinker/historical-antecedents-that-changed-the-course-of-
science-and-technology-81625371