Introduction to Science,

Technology and Society

GE 7 STS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the importance of studying science, technology, and
society;
2. Explain how science and technology relates to a problem of
societal concern; and
3. Develop a deeper interest in the field of science, technology,
and society.
 COMMUNICATION ECONOMY

SCIENCE AND
TRANSPORTATION EDUCATION
TECHNOLOGY

HOSPITALS HOMES
Effects of Science and Technology to Society

• Imbalanced ecosystem due to species

extinction. Results: Change in
HEALTH PROBLEMS Environment & Climate
• Men Fearless – guns, explosives,
nuclear power in pursuit of riches
Science
 Latin word “Scientia” which means Knowledge
 the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical
and natural world through observation, experimentation, and the
testing of theories against the evidence obtained (Scientific
Method).
 Research and development refer to usual activities associated with
science as a process. It involves the acquisition of new knowledge
and the utilization of such knowledge to devise new or improved
products and processes.
 Science (4 Characteristics)
1. Focuses on the Natural World – understand animals, plants,
earth, man. Goal: understand components and how it works
2. Goes through Experiments – for science to be science, it has
to be proven by experiments
3. Relies on Evidence – important to prove or confirm theories
4. Passes through Scientific Community – has to work with
diverse people who would qualify the idea
Technology
 Greek word “techne” which means “art, skill, craft”
 the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.
 The outputs of technological activity are necessarily composed
of both “software” and “hardware.” Software refers to methods,
techniques, organizations, and management. Hardware
pertains to tools, equipment, machines and materials
(UNESCO, 1979).
 Utilization of technology – the actual use of technology in the
production process points out the potentials as well as
problems associated with a particular technology.
Science and Technology
 Dynamic processes engaged in by man to satisfy two basic
needs – the thirst for knowledge and the material
requirements for human survival and prosperity.

 Exist even before the words biology, chemistry, physics,

engineering, and agriculture were coined.
Society
 Latin word “Societas” which means “a friendly association with
others”
 a group of persons with a common interest, belief, or purpose
historical societies.
 Make use of science to produce useful technologies in order for
the people to live in accordance to their necessities.
WHERE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
IS TAKING THE SOCIETY
 Man has benefitted much from the Science and advances of
technologies but S&T itself would not exist without the society.
 S&T – society to progress, risks and dangers should not be taken
lightly.

“Society may seem dependent on science and technology but

it is the society that decides what happens to S&T.”
 S&T IN THE WORLD:
(ANCIENT, MIDDLE AND
MODERN AGES)
S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES
• From the beginning of time, man has strived to
improve his way and quality of life. The caveman
discovered how to make and use tools,
developed a logical sequence of activities and
evolved processes that added value to his life.
S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES
• The totality of the use of his knowledge, skills,
tools, and materials constitutes what we today
describe as “technology.”
S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES (TRANSPORTATION)

• Discover new horizons in search for food and

settlements (nomadic);
• Trading of goods (esp. lacking necessities);
• Navigation through observing landmarks or watching the
direction of the sun and stars
• Record-keeping – important to remember places they’d
been and document the trades they made, their history &
culture to establish identities and civilizations
S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES (TRANSPORTATION)

• Weapons and Armors –

important in discovery of new
places; wild animals & risk of
conflicts with other tribes (to
form allies or invade weaker
one); development of weapon is
a major achievement for
protection & security
S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES (EARLY HUNTING AND GATHERING TOOLS)

• Prehistoric tools provides

evidence of the hunting
and gathering methods of
early people (e.g. slabs of
bark are used to collect
nuts and berries, used as
crude dishes & bowls)
S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES (EARLY HUNTING AND GATHERING TOOLS)

• Tackle and arrows –

used around 800 BC
• Tools for digging and
cutting with
recreated wood
handles
S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES (ANCIENT AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES)

• Relief art on the

walls of the Tomb of
Neffer Sakkara show
Egyptian workers
harvesting crops and
tending livestock
with rudimentary
tools
S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES (ANCIENT AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES)
S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES (ANCIENT AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES)

• Ancient Seal – used to

close agreements, record
transactions, & authorize
documents
• Seal, one of the earliest
form of printing, carved
design in a rock pressed
into wet clay or wax to
create distinctive mark. Stamp seal (left) and modern impression (right): unicorn, c.
2600–1900 BC
S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES (ANCIENT AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES)

• Farming tools – 6000 BC

• The picture portrays axe
(bottom) used for clearing;
flint sickles (left) for
harvesting cereal crops; flat
rock and rounded stone for
grinding flour and
perforated clay slabs
probably used to ventilate
bread ovens
S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES (ANCIENT WHEEL)

• People from ancient civilization used

animals as means of transportation
• The first wheel was made up of clay,
rock, and mud which slowly
developed until wheels were
made by joining together wooden
planks. They connected it to vehicles
called chariots to get to places faster
• The invention of wheel is credited to
the Sumerians.
S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES (ANCIENT WHEEL)

Potter’s Wheel

Vehicle’s Wheel
S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES (CATAPULT)

• Catapult works like a giant slingshot, propelling large stones,

javelins, and other objects over high walls and other barrier
 S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES (ANCIENT PAPER)

Around 3000
BC, the ancient
Egyptians
began writing
on a papyrus
(made up from
a pith of plant
called Cyperus
papyrus)
 S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES (SHADOOF)

• Tool invented and used

by ancient Egyptians to
irrigate land.

• Hand-operated device
used for lifting water
S&T IN ANCIENT TIMES (ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM)
• Discovered in 1902 and retrieved from waters of Antikythera,
Greece.
• World’s oldest known mechanical computer by Greek
• Similar to clock; believed to predict astronomical positions