WHAT IS STS?

Science, Technology & Society (STS) is an interdisciplinary field of study that seeks
to explore and understand the many ways that modern science and technology shape
modern culture, values, and institutions, and how modern values shape science and
technology. STS examines how science and technology emerge, how they enter society,
how they change through social processes, and how society changes in response to
science and technology.
Many examples illustrate these relationships:
 Biotechnologies: Genetic science and engineering opens up the possibility of
humans taking control of life, itself. By altering the genetic makeup of plants,
animals and eventually humans, we may change forever our relationship to
nature.
 Globalization & Economic Competitiveness: The growing scale of economic
competition portends a “global culture”, tied together by computers, satellites, and
the internet. What effects are these developments already having on workers,
consumers, and nations? What will the future hold?
 The Internet: The emergence and spread of computer-mediated communications
is one of the fastest growing revolutionary technologies in history. The Internet
will likely change how we understand community, personal identity, and the
transfer of information around the world.
 Weapons Technologies, Terrorism, and Security: The arms race continues,
even after the fall of the Soviet Union. Nuclear weapons, missile delivery
systems, chemical and biological weapons, as well as ever-more-destructive
conventional weapons present unique and compelling problems for all humanity

These, and many other new sciences and technologies, are among the most powerful
forces operating in the world today. It is critical that those of us who create, use,
consume, and live with the products of modern science and technology understand
these forces; this is the intellectual goal of science, technology, and society.
Note: Students should plan to declare the STS major at least one year before planning
to graduate. Courses include: Contemporary Science, Technology, and Human Values,
Technology in History, Biomedical Ethics, Philosophical Issues in Environmental Ethics,
Genetics in Human Affairs, Technological Catastrophes, and World Populations & Food
Prospects Sample STS Specialty titles include: Biomedical, Engineering Ethics,
Engineering & Technology, Environmental Ethics, Nutrition Science, Philosophy
of Science, Science, Technology & International Affairs, Technology in Society
Is the study of STS IMPORTANT?
1. To understand how science, technology and social, cultural and material
elements influence the formation of new practices, new ways of understanding and new
institutions important in understanding contemporary postmodern society.
2. New technology and knowledge is fundamental to gauge and imagine direction
and what is the possible future.
3. The interaction between science and technology with society is a very important
field of inquiry which not only leads us to understand not only their relevance but also
their limitation and the problem they create.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

WHAT IS SCIENCE?
 Refers to the ORGANIZED BODY OF KNOWLEDGE people have gained using
that system
 It is a SYSTEMATIC WAY OF LEARNING about our NATURAL WORLD

Define SCIENCE
 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, "the world of science and technology"
 An organized, hierarchical activity that investigates nature and human nature by
experiment and observation.
 Also shapes culture

CONTENT: Body of organized knowledge about nature.

LATIN: scientia - Knowledge
METHOD: Of obtaining that knowledge, experiment, observation, hypothesis, theory,
law.
ATTITUDE: Organized and systematic skepticism.
GOALS: Explanation, understanding, prediction, control
LANGUAGE: Mathematics and technical vocabulary
TOOLS: Uses instruments and technologies
COMMUNITY: Discipline, education, credentials, careers, patrons, societies, “turf”
PROCESS: Organized, but very diverse activity shaped by social forces and historical
change.

Basic Science VS Applied Science

The scientific community has been debating for the last few decades about the value of
different types of science. Is it valuable to pursue science for the sake of simply gaining
knowledge, or does scientific knowledge only have worth if we can apply it to solving a
specific problem or to bettering our lives? This question focuses on the differences
between two types of science: basic science and applied science.
Basic Research (the thinkers)

• Basic science or “pure” science seeks to expand knowledge regardless of the

short-term application of that knowledge. It is not focused on developing a
product or a service of immediate public or commercial value. The goal of basic
science is knowledge for knowledge’s sake; though this does not mean that, in
the end, it may not result in a practical application.
• Discover basic facts, with no immediate focus on solving real-world problems
• Knowledge for Knowledge’s sake
• Speculative, often takes decades of cumulative knowledge to benefit society, but
breakthroughs can lead to paradigm shifts

Applied Research (the doers)

• Can impact real-world problems relatively quickly, but focuses in incremental
science rather than breakthroughs
• Makes relevant and immediate contributions to real-world problems

Pure Science
• Pure Science is whenever one is just curious about something. These kind of
experiments are conducted in which to simply find the answer to something, not
to really change anything in society around them.
Applied Science
• Applied science is different that is, in fact, applied to humanity and the outside
world. These kind of science experiment have more meaning and cause to the
human race as opposed to pure science . Applied Science is frequently used in
the medical field for things like vaccines, antibiotics, and other new medicines to
help humans become more immune to harmful bacteria and viruses that we are
exposed to everyday

What is technology?
• The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in
industry.
• "advances in computer technology"
• Machinery and equipment developed from the application of scientific knowledge.
• "it will reduce the industry's ability to spend money on new technology"
• The branch of knowledge dealing with engineering or applied sciences.
• Technology is the product of transferring scientific knowledge to practical use.
Different forms of technology are the result of people trying to find more efficient
ways to do things and testing new ideas.
• Technology is constantly improving and generally aims to make processes easier
for people. For example, the internet makes communication easier and more
efficient. While a single piece of technology often overlaps into different areas,
 there are generally six different categories of technology: communication,
electrical, energy, manufacturing, medical and transportation.

Six common types of technology

Here are six different categories of technology with examples for each:
1. Communication
Communication technology consists of any pieces of technology people use to
communicate with one another. Some early examples of communication
technology include Morse code and the telegraph. Below are some examples of
more modern communication technologies:
a. Television
Television sets transmit signals over which we can listen to and view audio and visual
content. People use television to communicate important messages, advertisements,
entertainment and more. Most televisions receive signals from a cable wire or over
the internet, which relays signals that direct a television set on what content to
display.
b. Internet
Many people consider the internet to be the most popular and powerful communication
technology. It allows people from around the world to interact through written
messages, as well as audio and video messages. With the internet, users can
communicate almost instantaneously with anyone else and share information. This
makes it a powerful tool for businesses, charities, governments and individuals among
many others.
c. Cell phones
Cell phones are a modern improvement over the telephone. With a cell phone, people
have the ability to call other phones and have a conversation with people across the
world. Many phones are also capable of connecting to the internet, which allows users to
communicate in other ways, such as text messages or video chats.
2. Electrical
Many pieces of modern technology use electricity in some form. A few examples of
electrical technology include:
a. Computers
Computers operate through a rapid pulsing of electrical currents. Their core foundation
of computers is binary code, which determines whether there is an electrical current.
Depending on the order in which the device receives these currents, a computer
performs different functions. People use computers to access the internet and print
physical copies of digital content among other functions.
b. Circuitry
A collection of electrical components that perform a particular function is a circuit. An
example of an electrical circuit is a computer processor, which is a small component that
translates electrical signals into computer code. Electrical circuits exist in many modern-
day items, such as computers, remote controls, cell phones, appliances and more.
c. Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is a computer system designed to make decisions and perform
actions autonomously. There are varying degrees of artificial intelligence sophistication
in many of our daily tasks. For example, online navigation apps use artificial
intelligence to analyze the best route for a traveler based on traffic, road closures and
more. Another example is search engines, which use artificial intelligence to determine
the best results to display for each unique user.
d. Software
Software includes the programs a computer uses to function properly. Most software
aims to provide entertainment to users or make tasks more efficient. For example,
word processing software makes it easier to create and edit documents when
compared to older forms of technology such as a typewriter.
e. Audio and visual technology
Audio and visual technology consists of items such as cameras, microphones and
projectors. Their purpose is to capture and display audio and visual mediums to users.
Audio and visual technology often combines with other forms of technology, such as
cellphones, to provide camera functionality, for example.
3. Energy
Energy technology aims to help generate, store and transmit energy for a variety
of purposes. Common examples of energy technology include:
a. Solar panels
Solar panels use energy from the sun's rays to generate power. People use these
panels to power things such as buildings, homes, outdoor lighting systems, water
heating systems and more. Solar panels are a form of renewable energy, which is
becoming a more popular form of energy generation due to its lack of carbon emissions.
b. Wind turbines
Wind turbines use propellers to generate wind energy. They are typically tall pillars
located in open plains or within the ocean where winds are strongest and generate the
most energy. As propellers spin, they generate energy, which the turbine then stores in
a battery or transmits directly to a desired source.
c. Batteries
Batteries store energy for later consumption, and people use these to power other forms
of technology such as a television remote. They range in size—from small batteries in
items such as watches to larger batteries for use inside cars or large solar panel
installations. There have been great improvements in battery technology recently, with
batteries now having the ability to store more energy for longer periods of time.
4. Mechanical
Mechanical technology is the application of engineering principles to achieve tasks
more efficiently. People use this technology in a wide variety of machinery, with
some common examples of mechanical technology including:
a. Manufacturing
Manufacturing technology aims to produce goods faster and in a more cost-effective
manner. A popular example of manufacturing technology is an assembly line, which
greatly improved the speed of production processes. Manufacturing technology's
benefits also include product quality improvements, better tracking and systems
analysis, faster shipping speeds and enhanced employee safety.
b. Heavy engineering
Heavy engineering technology helps professionals perform tasks such as building
bridges or digging tunnels. It helps transport heavy materials, dig holes into the ground
and make construction processes more efficient. Other areas of heavy engineering
include shipbuilding, mining, steel production and aerospace engineering.
5. Medical
Medical technology helps improve people's quality of life in a number of ways.
Some examples include:
a. Diagnostics
Diagnostic technology helps medical professionals attain more information about a
patient. Examples of diagnostic technology include thermometers, MRIs, X-ray
machines, electrocardiographs and stethoscopes. With these tools, medical
professionals can make better treatment decisions and explore parts of the human
body that would be impossible to analyze otherwise.
b. Pharmaceutical
The development and improvement of medicine results in better pharmaceutical
technology. Using different technologies, such as nanotechnology, microenvironments
and artificial organs, researchers learn more about how different substances impact
humans. They can then develop different prescription drugs, with the aim of curing or
significantly decreasing instances of harmful disease.
c. Surgical
Surgical technology allows surgeons to perform complex operations. Some recent
examples include smart surgical glasses that display essential information directly within
a surgeon's glasses and remote robotics, which allow surgeons to operate remotely with
increased precision. Surgical technology assists in every type of surgery—from basic
procedures such as appendectomies to more complex types such as spinal or brain
surgery.
d. Monitoring
To monitor the health and status of a patient, healthcare professionals increasingly rely
on technology. A common example is smartwatches, which can monitor biometric data
such as heart rates and quality of sleep. Other monitoring technology includes devices
implanted directly into a patient that provide even more advanced monitoring capabilities
to healthcare professionals.
6. Transportation
It's much easier to travel than it once was thanks to improvements in technology.
Examples of transportation technology include:
a. GPS
GPS, or a Global Positioning System, is a piece of technology that can pinpoint
locations on earth from satellites in earth's orbit. Using this technology, we can now
receive real-time directions, monitor the transit of different objects or record precise
time measurements. GPS is a feature in many devices such as smartwatches and
larger tracking systems used by corporations and governments.
b. Flight
Flight technology has become safer and more efficient over time. We use flight
technology in a number of ways—from the construction of planes to navigation
equipment on an aircraft. Improvements in flight technology are even more apparent
in space flight, which occurs fairly regularly.
c. Vehicles
Similar to flight technology, vehicles are now faster and safer. In addition, they are more
fuel-efficient and comfortable and often provide entertainment options, as well. Vehicle
technology has improved the way engines run, the safety features within vehicles, such
as airbags, and the entertainment options available in a car.
What is Society?
1. the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
“Drugs,
crime, and other dangers to society" Similar:

• the community • civilization

• the public • the world at large
• the general public • humankind
• the people • mankind
• the population • humanity
2. An organization or club formed for a particular purpose or activity. "The
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" What are the
types of Society?
THE SUMERIAN CIVILIZATION SUMMERIANS
The ancient Sumerians, who flourished thousands of years ago between the Tigris and
Euphrates rivers in what today is southern Iraq, built a civilization that in some ways was
the ancient equivalent of Silicon Valley. As the late historian Samuel Noah Kramer wrote,
“The people of Sumer had an unusual flair for technological invention.”
In what the Greeks later called Mesopotamia, Sumerians invented new technologies and
perfected the large-scale use of existing ones. In the process, they transformed how
humans cultivated food, built dwellings, communicated and kept track of information and
time.
The Sumerians’ creativity was driven to an extent by their land’s lack of natural
resources, according to Philip Jones, associate curator and keeper of the Babylonian
section at the Penn Museum in Philadelphia.

“They had few trees, almost no stone or metal,” he explains. That forced them to make
ingenious use of materials such as clay—the plastic of the ancient world. They used it to
make everything from bricks to pottery to tablets for writing.
But the Sumerians’ real genius may have been organizational. They had the ability to
take inventions that had been developed elsewhere and apply them on a much bigger
scale. This way they could mass-produce goods such as textiles and pottery that they
could then trade with other people.

As Kramer writes, there was something in the Sumerian identity that drove them to dream
big and think ingeniously. “Spiritually and psychologically, they laid great stress on
ambition and success, preeminence and prestige, honor and recognition,” he explains.
The Sumerians’ innovations gradually spread and led to the development of the modern
technologically advanced world that we live in today. Here are some of the areas where
the Sumerians left their mark.

CUNEIFORM
– the first writing system and it is a system that utilizes word pictures and triangular
symbols which are carved on clay using wedge instruments and then left it dry. -
Used for record keeping and communication

The URUK CITY

Uruk City – is considered to be the first true city. Sumerians were able to build the city
using only mud or clay from the river, which they mixed with heeds, producing sun-
baked bricks. Infrastructure

Great Ziggurat of Ur
Great Ziggurat of Ur – also called the mountain of God and it was built in the same
manner that they constructed the City of Uruk. The ziggurat was a piece in a temple
complex that served as an administrative center for the city, and which was a shrine of
the moon god Nanna, the patron deity of Ur. Infrastructure
Irrigation and Dikes
Irrigation and Dikes – An irrigation system was usually made up of canals, dikes,
basins, dams, and levees. Water was stored in basins or dikes, along the fields for
the crops during the winter. The water kept the crops through the winter, giving the
crops enough time to grow before they are harvested. Used in mass production and
agricultural needs

Sailboats
Sailboats – used to carry large quantities of products and were able to cover large
distances. The main mode of transportation was through waterways such as rivers and
seas. Sailboats were invented in order to expand Sumerian trade. Wood and papyrus
were used to make lightweight sailboats so that it was easy for them to move on water.
Used for transportation

Wheel
Wheel – The wheel was used as a luxurious form of transportation for the wealthy, but
was also used for irrigation, pottery making, and milling.
Used in mass production

Plow
–In Mesopotamia, man first harnessed the ox and developed the first plow called the
“ard.” Used for agricultural works.

Road
Road – First road developed by Sumerians to facilitate faster and easier travel.
Used for transportation

BABYLONIAN CIVILIZATIONS
 The Babylonians used the innovations of the Sumerians, added to them, and built
an empire that gave the world, among other things, codified laws, a tower that
soared above the earth, and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
 Geographically, the empire of Babylonia occupied the middle and southern part of
Mesopotamia. Situated between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, it stretched from
the present-day city of Baghdad south to the Persian Gulf.
Hanging Garden of Babylon – The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were one of the
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World as listed by Hellenic culture. It was described as a
remarkable feat of engineering with an ascending series of tiered gardens containing a
wide variety of trees, shrubs, and vines, resembling a large green mountain constructed
of mud bricks.
- Infrastructure
EGYTIAN CIVILIZATIONS
 Ancient Egypt in North Africa was one of the most powerful and influential
civilizations in the region for over 3,000 years, from around 3100 B.C to 30 B.C. It
left behind numerous monuments, documents and works of art that continue to be
studied by scholars today.
 However Egyptian civilization existed long before this period, and it has survived
and flourished since. While the civilization's rulers, language, writing, climate,
religion and borders have changed many times over the millennia, Egypt still exists
as a modern-day country.
 Paper or Papyrus – The papyrus plant is a reed that grows in marshy areas
around the Nile river. In ancient Egypt, the wild plant was used for a variety of
uses, and specially cultivated papyrus, grown on plantations, was used to make
the writing material. The inside of the triangular stalk was cut or peeled into long
strips. These strips were then laid out in two layers, one horizontal and one
vertical, and pressed and dried to form a papyrus sheet. Finally, many of these
sheets were then joined end-to-end to form a roll. No glue was required; instead,
the natural gum of the plant held the sheets together. A roll was usually about one
foot in height and could be up to 100 feet in length.
 For record keeping and communications.
Ink (Black) – The Egyptians mixed vegetable gum, soot and bee wax to make black ink.
They replaced soot with other materials such as ochre to make various colours.
Hieroglyphics – The Egyptian hieroglyphic script was one of the writing systems used
by ancient Egyptians to represent their language. Because of their pictorial
elegance, Herodotus and other important Greeks believed that Egyptian hieroglyphs were
something sacred, so they referred to them as ‘holy writing’. Thus, the word hieroglyph
comes from the Greek hiero ‘holy’ and glypho ‘writing’.
Cosmetics – were worn for health and aesthetic reasons. Kohl around the eyes to
prevent and even cure eye diseases. Used for health and aesthetic reasons
Wig – were worn for health and wellness rather aesthetic purposes. The wigs were used
to protect the shaved heads of the wealthy Egyptians from the harmful rays of the sun. It
was considered cleaner than the natural hair because it prevented the accumulation of
head lice. The base of an Egyptian wig was a fiber-netting skullcap, with strands of
human hair, wool, flax, palm fibers, felt, or other materials attached. Used for health
reasons and also as protection.
Water Clock/ Clepsydra – the amount of water remaining in the device determines how
much time elapsed since it is full. It was widely used as a timekeeping device during
ancient times. It is any timepiece by which time is measured by the regulated flow of
liquid into (inflow type) or out from (outflow type) a vessel, and where the amount is then
measured. Used as time keeping
GREEK CIVILIZATIONS
ancient Greek civilization, the period following Mycenaean civilization, which ended
about 1200 BCE, to the death of Alexander the Great, in 323 BCE. It was a period of
political, philosophical, artistic, and scientific achievements that formed a legacy with
unparalleled influence on Western civilization.
Alarm Clock – The upper ceramic vessel supplies the next vessel through an
(appropriately calculated for every case) outflow funnel. When the second vessel
becomes full at the programmed moment (for example after 7 hours) through the
internally located axial pipette, it evacuates fast towards the next closed vessel and
forces the contained air to come out whistling through a tube at its top. After its function,
the third vessel empties slowly (through a small hole located at its bottom) towards the
lower storage vessel in order to be reused. Used as time keeping
Water mill – It was a water-powered mill for grinding grain which continues identically in
use until today. It was particularly suitable for the hilly and mountainous regions of
Greece and Asia Minor since it was capable of functioning with small quantities of water
that were moved, however, at great speed. It constitutes the predecessor of the water
turbine. Used for mass production

ROMAN CIVILIZATIONS
Ancient Rome was the center of one of the largest and most powerful empires in history.
With its center in today’s Italy the Roman Empire conquered the
whole Mediterranean region and spread its influence to the Middle East, Northern
Africa,
Western and Central Europe. It reached the height of its power between 100 and 200
A.D. Afterwards the Roman Empire began to collapse because it became too big to rule.
The West Roman Empire ended in 476 A.D. when Germanic tribes invaded, the East
Roman Empire continued to exist for many centuries
Newpaper –The Romans were known to contribute to public discourse through the use of
official texts detailing military, legal and civil issues. Known as Acta Diurna, or “daily
acts,” these early newspapers were written on metal or stone and then posted in heavily
trafficked areas like the Roman Forum. Used for communication
Bound books / Codex – The Romans streamlined the medium by creating the codex, a
stack of bound pages that is recognized as the earliest incarnation of the book. The first
codices were made of bound wax tablets, but these were later replaced by animal skin
parchment that more clearly resembled pages. Used for record-keeping
Roman architecture – Arches have existed for roughly 4,000 years, but the ancient
Romans were the first to effectively harness their power in the construction of bridges,
monuments and buildings. The ingenious design of the arch allowed the weight of
buildings to be evenly distributed along various supports, preventing massive Roman
structures like the Colosseum from crumbling under their own weight. Architectural work
Roman Numerals – Romans devised their own number system specifically to address
the need for a standard counting method that would meet their increasing communication
and trade concerns.
Used for communication

CHINESE CIVILIZATIONS
Ancient China produced what has become the oldest extant culture in the world. The
name 'China' comes from the Sanskrit Cina (derived from the name of the Chinese Qin
Dynasty, pronounced 'Chin') which was translated as 'Cin' by the Persians and seems
to have become popularized through trade along the Silk Road.
The Romans and the Greeks knew the country as 'Seres', “the land where silk comes
from”. The name 'China' does not appear in print in the west until 1516 CE in Barbosa's
journals narrating his travels in the east (though the Europeans had long known of
China through trade via the Silk Road). Marco Polo, the famous explorer who
familiarized China to Europe in the 13th century CE, referred to the land as 'Cathay. In
Mandarin Chinese, the country is known as 'Zhongguo' meaning "central state" or
"middle empire".
Silk – is naturally produced by silk worms, the Chinese were the ones who developed
the technology to harvest the silk and process it to produce paper and clothing. Used for
health and communication
Tea Production – Tea is an important part of Chinese tradition. In Chinese history there
is reference to tea as far back as 5000 years. While the origin of tea drinking is not
really known, by most accounts the beginnings of the tea culture in China began around
2737
B.C. Used for mass production
The largest and most extensive infrastructure that the nation built. Made with stone,
brick, wood, earth, and other materials, it showcased the extent of Chinese engineering
technology at that time. The Great Wall of China is the collective name of a series of
fortification systems generally built across the historical northern borders of China to
protect and consolidate territories of Chinese states and empires against various
nomadic groups of the steppe and their polities. The total length of the great wall is
21,196 km(13,170 miles). Used for security and protection, Infrastructure.
Gunpowder – it was developed by Chinese alchemists who aimed to achieve
immortality. They mixed charcoal, sulphur and potassium nitrate, but instead an elixir of
life, they accidentally invented a black powder that could actually generate large
amounts of heat and gas in an instant. Used for security and protection.

MIDDLE/MEDIEVAL AGES
People use the phrase “Middle Ages” to describe Europe between the fall of Rome in
476 CE and the beginning of the Renaissance in the 14th century. Many scholars call
the era the “medieval period” instead; “Middle Ages,” they say, incorrectly implies that
the period is an insignificant blip sandwiched between two much more important
epochs.
Printing Press – machine by which text and images are transferred to paper or other
media by means of ink. Although movable type, as well as paper, first appeared in
China, it was in Europe that printing first became mechanized. The earliest mention of a
printing press is in a lawsuit in Strasbourg in 1439 revealing construction of a press for
Johannes Gutenberg and his associates. Used for mass production.
Microscope – was the key in discovering new means in preventing and curing various
illnesses. Zacharias Janssen was able to develop the first compound microscope.
Roman philosophers mentioned “burning glasses" in their writings but the first primitive
microscope was not made until the late 1300’s. Two lenses were placed at opposite
ends of a tube. Grinding glass to use for spectacles and magnifying glasses was
commonplace during the 13th century. In the late 16th century several Dutch lens
makers designed devices that magnified objects, but in 1609 Galileo Galilei perfected
the first device known as a
Telescope – an optical instrument that helps in the observation of remote objects, was
a great help for navigators during this time. The Telescope was another great invention
in the middle Ages. Galileo was considered the first to invent the telescope but there is
confusion between Hans Lipper shy and Galileo. Galileo was born in Italy in Pisa in
1564 and died in 1642. The telescope was invented in the fall of 1609 in Venice. Galileo
also made a book by using the Telescope called The Starry Messenger. The Telescope
magnified 10 times what you could see without it. The Telescope was made out of wood
and leather, which had a convex main lens and a concave eyepiece. used for navigation
War Weapons – great development in the weaponry technology occurred. Medieval
weaponry can be divided into attacking and defensive, and also into cold weapons and
firearms. Most popular were cold weapons, although by the end of this period the use of
firearms increases, and they subsequently supersede the cold weapons. used for
security and protection
Mechanical Artillery – Artillery in the middle Ages primarily consisted of the
introduction of the cannon, large tubular firearms designed to fire a heavy projectile over
a long distance. Guns, bombs, rockets and cannons were first invented in China during
the Han Chinese Song Dynasty and then later spread to Europe and the Middle East
during the period. used for security and protection
Counterweight trebuchet – gravity powers these weapons revolutionized medieval
siege weapons by use of counterweights allowing it to hurl huge stones very long
distances. It was first used in the eastern Mediterranean basin. Trebuchets were used in
the Crusades by the 1120’s, Byzantium by the 1130’s and in the Latin West by the
1150’s. used for security and protection
Horseshoe – U-shaped metal plate by which horses’ hooves are protected from wear
on hard or rough surfaces. Horseshoes apparently are a Roman invention; a mule’s loss
of its shoe is mentioned by the Roman poet Catullus in the 1st century BC. Horseshoes
let horse adapt to rocky terrain, mountains and carry heavier loads. They may have
been known to the Romans and Celts as early as 500 BC.
Horse Collar – It allowed more horse pulling power, such as with the heavy plough. The
horse collar, which came into general use in Europe during the 12th century, was one of
the most important inventions of the Middle Ages. Yoked like oxen in the old European
manner, horses had pulled inefficiently because their harness passed across their
windpipe and choked them as they pulled
Hourglass (1338) – Hourglasses are among a number of ingenious timekeeping
devices used before the development of clocks in the Middle Ages. Hourglasses, also
called sandglasses, sand timers, sand clocks, or egg timers, are a relatively recent
invention. The earliest known record of hourglasses dates from the 14th century.
Windmills (1180’s) – In the Middle Ages most windmills were used as mills proper -
for grinding corn into flour, the inhabitants of the manor usually having to take their corn
to the lord's mill; exclusive possession of the manorial mill was one of the privileges that
the manorial lords generally managed to arrogate to themselves.
Chess (1450) – the earliest predecessors of the game originated in 6 th century AD in
India and spread through Persia and the Muslim world to Europe. The game evolved to
its current form in the 15th century.
Mirrors (1180) – first mention of a mirror was made in 1180 by Alexander Neckhan who
said “take away the lead which is behind the glass and there will be no image of the one
looking in”. The earliest made mirrors were hand mirrors; mirrors large enough to reflect
the whole body appeared in the 1st century AD. Celts adopted hand mirrors from the
Romans and by the end of the Middle Ages had become quite common throughout
Europe. They were usually made of silver, though sometimes of polished bronze.

MODERN TIMES
🞇 Pasteurization – the process of heating dairy products to kill the harmful bacteria
that allow them to spoil faster. It was invented by Louis Pasteur. Louis Pasteur's
pasteurization experiment illustrates the fact that the spoilage of liquid was
caused by particles in the air rather than the air itself. These experiments were
important pieces of evidence supporting the idea of the Germ Theory of Disease.

🞇 Petrolium Refinery – Samuel M. Kier was able to invent kerosene by refining

petroleum. Kerosene was later on referred to as the “illuminating oil” because it
was used at first to provide lighting to homes. Kerosene, also known as paraffin,
lamp oil, and coal oil (an obsolete term), is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid
which is derived from petroleum. It is widely used as a fuel in aviation as
well
as households. Its name derives from Greek: κηρός (keros) meaning
"wax", and was registered as a trademark by Canadian geologist and inventor
Abraham Gesner in 1854 before evolving into a genericized trademark.
 🞇 Telephone – Antonio Meucci (Inventor of the Telephone). Started in September
2001, Meucci was credited as the inventor of the Telephone. Used for mass
production
🞇 Calculator – for easier arithmetic calculations, but also resulted in the
development of more complex processing machines like the computer. The first
solid-state electronic calculator was created in the early 1960s. Pocket-sized
devices became
available in the 1970s, especially after the Intel 4004, the first microprocessor, was
developed by Intel for the Japanese calculator company Busicom.

PHILIPPINES INVENTIONS
🞇 Salamder amphibious tricycle – invented by Dominic N. Chung, Lamberto Armada, Victor
“Atoy” Llave
🞇 Salamander – an amphibious tricycle that can cross not only flooded streets but also rivers
and lakes.
🞇 Salt Lamp – Sustainable Alternative Lighting (SALt) Lamp invented by Aisa Mijeno. By mixing
two tablespoons of salt and a glass of tap water.
🞇 Medical Incubator – made by placing a nature laundry basket inside a bigger one. Hot water
bottles were inserted between the baskets to provide warmth and a makeshift hood to allow
oxygen circulations. Invented by Dr. Fe Del Mundo – a Filipino paediatrician and the first
Asian woman admitted into Harvard Medical School. Used for health
🞇 Mosquito Ovicidal / Larvicidal trap system – was introduced by the Department of Science
and Technology – Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) and also known
as OL Trap. This trap system is made of natural ingredients that are lethal to mosquitos but
safe for human and the environment.
🞇 Ejeepney – is considered as the primary mode of transportation of most Filipinos.
MODULE 3: INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTIONS THAT DEFINED SOCIETY
The Intellectual revolution pertains to the period of paradigm shifts or changes in the scientific beliefs
that have been widely embraced and accepted by the people (Hintay, 2018)
THE THREE REVOLUTIONS THAT DEFINED THE SOCIETY
1.) Ideas of known intellectuals
2.) Information Revolution
3.) Cradles of Early Science
IDEAS OF KNOWN INTELLECTUALS COPERNICAN REVOLUTION
In the 6th century, Ptolemy introduced the geocentric model where it showed that the Earth is the
center of the universe which was thought to be true by most of the people at that time.
NICHOLAS COPERNICUS (1473-1543)
Copernicus is an Astronomer who contradicts the geocentric model and proposed the Heliocentric
Theory where planets revolve around the sun.
The change from the belief of geocentric to heliocentric happened through the contributions of other
important persons such as:

• Brahe’s observation of the star Cassiopeia

• Kepler stated that the planets move in elliptical orbits and the sun at the center
• Galileo Galilei developed telescope and observed Venus
• Isaac Newton’s law of gravitation
The Copernican revolution influences conceptual changes in cosmology, religion, physics,
and philosophy.
Cosmology is a branch of astronomy that involves the origin and evolution of the universe, from the
Big Bang to today and on into the future. According to NASA, the definition of cosmology is "the
scientific study of the large scale properties of the universe as a whole."
PHYSICS- the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy.
The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered
as an academic discipline.
DARWINIAN REVOLUTION UNITED KINGDOM
CHARLES DARWIN (1809-1882)
Formulated his book “On the Origin of Species” in 1859 that presented evidence on how species
evolved over time and “The Descent of Man (1871)” that introduced the idea of all organic life under
the realm of revolutionary thinking. Darwin proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection
where organisms change overtime as a result of changes in heritable physical or behavioral traits.
The changes that allow an organism to better adapt to its environment can help it survive and have
more offspring. There are 2 main points in his theory:
1. All life on Earth is connected and related to each other
2. This diversity of life came about because of the modifications in populations that were driven by
natural selection Natural Selection- survival of the fittest.
FREUDIAN REVOLUTION SIGMUND FREUD (1856-1939)
Freud founded psychoanalysis. He described that the brain can be segmented into compartments. He
developed an observational method to study human's inner life mainly focuses on human sexuality
and evil nature of man. The Freudian revolution greatly affected or gave rise to the Literature, Visual
Arts and Music.
Id, Ego, and Superego
The id, ego and superego work together to create human behavior. The id creates the demands, the
ego adds the needs of reality, and the superego adds morality to the action which is taken.
INFORMATION REVOLUTION
The Information Revolution started from the Sumerian pictographs, which is the earliest writing
system. Then comes the invention of Gutenberg’s printing press 1455. There emerged the use of
typewriter and telegraph. Today, technologies are used widely which became easier with the help of
internet to communicate and disseminate and store information.
THE FOUR CRADLES OF EARLY SCIENCE MESOAMERICAN
Mesoamerican Civilizations

• Mayan  Inca  Aztec  Olmec

Contributions of the Mesoamericans
• The Aztecs had established a great military force.
The Aztec empire was strongly militaristic and its relations with other territories typically revolved
around war. The Aztecs conquered neighboring regions in order to co llect tribute and obtain captives
for human sacrifice. War was justified when a territory closed its roads to commerce, when a
merchant or ambassador was killed, or if a territory refused to pay its required tribute. A ritual was
followed for declaring war. The Aztec Emperor would issue a declaration of war and envoys were
sent to the enemy region. The enemy was given a gift of weapons and 20 days to respond to the
declaration and submit to Aztec authority. If no agreement was reached, the enemy was brought
another gift of weapons and given another 20 days to respond. If no agreement was reached after
this second offering, a third and final warning was given with harsher terms. If no agreement was
reached after the final warning, the Aztec army would attack within twenty days. Enemy kings
suffered personal punishment by the Aztecs if they waited until the third warning to accept the Aztec
empire's terms. During combat, captured warriors were enslaved and sacrificed. Captives had the
option of fighting Aztec warriors in order to obtain their freedom and would be forced to fight with a
handicap (such as with one hand tied behind their backs). If the captured warrior won the fight, he
would be set free. The Aztecs also engaged in what were known as "flower wars." These wars were
conducted to provide warriors with battle training and to obtain human sacrifices for religious
ceremonies. Human sacrifice was important to the Aztecs and was done to  The Aztecs had
established a great military force appease the gods and maintain the balance of life in the universe.
Most sacrificial victims were warriors captured in battle. To be sacrificed was an honor because it was
believed that this would guarantee life after death.
• The chinampa of the Aztecs used small rectangular area of fertile land to grow crops on the
shallow lake beds.
Chinampa is a technique used in Mesoamerican agriculture which relies on small, rectangular areas
of fertile arable land to grow crops on the shallow lake beds in the Valley of Mexico.
• The use of rubber is documented in the Maya ball game called tlatchtli.
The ball court, shaped like a capital I with serifs and oriented north–south or east– west, represented
the heavens. Players, wearing heavy padding, used elbows, knees, and hips to knock a solid rubber
ball into the opponent’s end of the court. In PostClassic times (after c. 900 CE), the object was to hit
the ball through one of two vertical stone rings (placed on each side of the court). The ball
represented the sun (or moon or stars), and the rings represented the sunrise and sunset or the
equinoxes. Extremely violent, the game often caused serious injury and, occasionally, death. In
addition, human sacrifice was also part of the ritual surrounding tlachtli.
• They used cocoa beans as a currency.
The Aztecs believed that cacao seeds were the gift of Quetzalcoatl, the god of wisdom, and the
seeds once had so much value that the Aztecs also used them as a form of currency.
• The Maya developed an accurate calendar, also known as the Mayan Calendar.
Of all the ancient calendar systems, the Maya and other Mesoamerican systems are the most
complex and intricate. They used 20-day months, and had two calendar years: the 260-day Sacred
Round, or tzolkin, and the 365-day Vague Year, or haab. These two calendars coincided every 52
years. The 52-year period of time was called a "bundle" and meant the same to the Maya as our
century does to us.
The ancient Maya were accomplished observers of the sky. This image shows Maya animal
constellations found in the Paris Codex. Using their knowledge of astronomy and mathematics, the
ancient Maya developed one of the most accurate calendar systems in human history. The ancient
Maya had a fascination with cycles of time. The most commonly known Maya cyclical calendars are
the Haab, the Tzolk’in, and the Calendar Round. Aside from these, the Maya also developed the
Long Count calendar to chronologically date mythical and historical events. The 13 baktun cycle of
the Maya Long Count calendar measures 1,872,000 days or 5,125.366 tropical years. This is one of
the longest cycles found in the Maya calendar system. This cycle ends on the winter solstice,
December 21, 2012.

 The Quipos are used by the Incan for book-keeping

Historic documents indicate that quipus were used for record keeping and sending messages by
runner throughout the empire. The color, knot placement and type of cord are all part of the logical
numerical reading of the quipu.
 The Mita system was invented by the Inca. It is a labor service that takes for in road and
bridge construction, in cultivation of corn and textile production.
MITA SYSTEM.
“You have to serve your stay three times in your life.” Anyone who is physically able to serve. In Inca
Empire, they have no currency/ no money use. This labor system is around 90 days per service.
Three Kind of Service
1. Service to your state
a. Farming the Emperor’s land
b. Building Noble Places
c. Serving in the Military (exempt: Craft people- because they are highly valued.)
2. Service to your gods
a. Farming Priest’s land
b. Building Temples
c. Attending to Shrine
3. Service to your Community
a. Building Road and Bridges
b. Maintaining Agricultural Storehouses
c. Farming and Fishing Mita

MIDDLE EAST
Contributions in the Middle East:
• The Arab applied the romans principles and improves the watermill known as noria.
• The Middle East is known for their machine designed for the improvement of irrigation, industrial
work and for war.

The windmill and watermill are used for crushing sugarcanes, grinding grain, and pumping water. The
word "noria" comes from the Arabic term, Na-urah, meaning "the first water machine." It was the
earliest mechanical device propelled by means other than man or animal. The noria was an
inevitable invention that sparked the development of countless types of hydraulic and rotating
machines. Over the centuries, it has allowed civilizations to nourish their villages and crops with
water, the most fundamental of resources. In time, this triggered the beginning of a new era - the
turning of arid lands into prosperous empires.

• The book of Al-Jazari, Badi‘ Al-Zaman Abu¯’L- ‘Izz Isma‘il Ibn Al-Razzaz described candle
and water clocks, water vessels, fountains, automata, and water raising devices.

The book, which al-Jazarī wrote at the command of Nāsir alDīn, is divided into fifty chapters, grouped
into six categories; I, water clocks and candle clocks (ten chapters); II, vessels and figures suitable for
drinking sessions (ten chapters); III, pitchers and basins for phlebotomy and ritual washing (ten
chapters); IV, fountains that change their shape and machines for the perpetual flute (ten chapters);
V, machines for raising water (five chapters); and VI, miscellaneous (five chapters): a large
ornamental door cast in brass and copper, a protractor, combination locks, a lock with bolts, and a
small water clock. The book is clearly written in straightforward Arabic; and the text is accompanied
by 173 drawings, ranging from rudimentary sketches to full page paintings. On these drawings the
individual parts are in many cases marked with the letters of the Arabic alphabet, to which al-Jazarī
refers in his descriptions. The drawings are usually in partial perspective; but despite considerable
artistic merit, they seem rather crude to modern eyes. They are, however, effective aids to
understanding the text.
• The book written by Taqi al-Din ibn Maruf al-Rashid alDimashqi explained steam power and a
blueprint of a six-piston pump. Piston pumps can be used to move liquids or compressed gases and
can also pump viscous media and media containing solid particles. Piston pumps are used for water
and oil hydraulics, industrial processing equipment, high pressure cleaning and the pumping of
liquids.

Taqi al-Din also invented a 'Monobloc' pump with a six cylinder engine, first described in The Sublime
Methods of Spiritual Machines. It was a hydropowered waterraising machine incorporating valves,
suction and delivery pipes, piston rods with lead weights, trip levers with pin joints, and cams on the
axle of a waterdriven scoop-wheel. It also employed a crankshaft-connecting rod mechanism, like that
of the twin-cylinder reciprocating suction piston pump earlier invented by AlJazari in 1206. Al-Din's
Monobloc pump also included a vacuum, which was formed

• The book written by Taqi al-Din ibn Maruf al-Rashid alDimashqi explained steam power and a
blueprint of a six-piston pump.
Piston pumps can be used to move liquids or compressed gases and can also pump viscous media
and media containing solid particles. Piston pumps are used for water and oil hydraulics, industrial
processing equipment, high pressure cleaning and the pumping of liquids "as the lead weight moves
upwards, it pulls the piston with it, creating vacuum which sucks the water through a non-return clack
valve into the piston cylinder.

ASIA
Major contributions in Asia
 Traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture and herbal medicine were practiced
 Four great inventions in china: Compass, gunpowder, papermaking, printing
China held the world's leading position in many fields in the study of nature, from the 1st
century before Christ to the 15th century, with the four great inventions having the greatest
global significance. Papermaking, printing, gunpowder and the compass - the four great
inventions of ancient China-are significant contributions of the Chinese nation to world
civilization.

 Other: alchemy, which is a Taoist chemistry

Taoist physical practices, such as breath exercises, massage, martial arts, yoga and meditation are
designed to transform a person both mentally and physically and so bring them into closer harmony
with the Tao. Tao means “ways” or path.

Many of these practices are called internal alchemy (nei-dun) by Taoists.

Taoists also practice external alchemy (wai-dan), which involves diet and the use of minerals and
herbs to promote long life.

Why call it alchemy?

Alchemists are people who want to transform things into something more valuable, such as
converting lead into gold. Taoist alchemy is concerned with transforming human beings so as to give
them longer life and bring them closer to the Tao. The first alchemists were seeking an elixir which
could be used to turn cheap metal into gold. They worked in laboratories, grinding, mixing and
heating various substances together in search of the magical compound. Other alchemists went in
search of a different sort of elixir; a pill, potion or practice that would make human beings immortal.
Creating this elixir also involved various combinations of ingredients and particular methods of
heating, grinding and mixing, together with other rituals. This became known as wai-dan (external
alchemy) presumably because it involved adding something to the body from outside. It was both a
literal idea, since some people must have hoped to live for ever, and a metaphorical one in which the
spirit was steadily purified and came closer to unity with the Tao. Interior alchemy, which didn't
involve external physical compounds, probably developed slightly later. For a long time both were
practiced together (rather in the same way that some modern patients will use both drugs and
meditation to deal with sickness). Interior alchemy also seeks to achieve longer life, purity and
closeness to the Tao, but the practitioner works on themselves without the use of chemicals to
transform the elements within their body into purer forms that will promote the energy of life. The texts
retain the alchemical link by using the language of making an elixir and of chemical transformation to
describe internal spiritual development.

AFRICAN
Contributions from Africa:
• Africa is known for the production of Kola nuts and coffee in Ethiopia (Kola nuts are mostly found in
West Africa and is the basis of cola drink).

In certain African countries, the kola nut is chewed during ceremonies and rituals. It is also used to
sweeten breath. Another application of the kola nut in the western world is as a flavoring agent for
sodas.

The kola nut is also used as an additive in energy drinks and performance enhancers. In some cases,
it is used in the form of an extract or powder.

The nut is boiled to extract the kola or it can be ground into a powder. In certain parts of the world, the
nut is used as a type of alternative medicine.

• Coffee was developed as a consumable drink that spread to Arabia and then throughout the world

• Africa used plants with salicylic acid for pain (aspirin) and for diarrhea (Kaopectate).  They are also
highly advanced in medicine such operating autopsies and caesarian.

• The technology involved experimentation in drainage, construction of polders, desalination, and

irrigation. Evidence in 1978 suggests that they already mastered making steels.