STS
MODULE 1
SCIENCE- knowledge about or study of the natural
world based on facts learned through experiments
and observation. Concerted human effort to
understand, or to understand better, the history
of the natural world and how the natural world
works, with observable physical evidence as the
basis of that understanding.
TECHNOLOGY- science or knowledge put into
practical use to solve problems or invent useful
tools.
SOCIETY= the sum total of our interactions as
humans, including the interactions that we engage
in to figure things out and to make things.
A group of individuals involved in persistent social
interaction, or a large social group sharing the
same geographical or social territory, typically
subject to the same political authority and
dominant cultural expectations.
GALELEON TRADE-Trade was given more focus by
the Spaniard colonial authorities due to the
prospects of big profits. The opening of the Suez
Canal saw the influx of European visitors to the
Spanish colony and some. It was a government
monopoly.
PRE SPANISH ERA- therapeutic properties of
plants and the methods of extracting medicine
from herbs. They already had an alphabet,
number system, a weighing and measuring system
and a calendar. Filipinos were already engaged in
farming, shipbuilding, mining and weaving. The
Banaue Rice Terraces are among the sophisticated
products of engineering by pre- Spanish era
Filipinos.
How does science and technology affect society?
KEYWORDS;
Major impact on society
Improve human condition
Knowledge and world view
procedures, entirely beneficial.
SCIENCE as AN IDEA- systematic explanation,
observation.
Science as an intellectual activity- encompasses a
systematic and practical study, experimentation.
SCIENCE AS A BODY OF KNOWLEDGE- subject or
discipline, a field of study.
Some Intellectuals and their Revolutionary Ideas-
what exactly happened during the scientific
revolution, it is important to examine the different
individuals whose ideas have shaken and
contested the dominant theories and ideas during
this period- the truths of their time.
Nicolaus Copernicus-model of the universe in
1510. Heliocentric Theory.
Charles Darwin- Theory of Evolution, The Origin of
the Specimens 1859
Sigmund Freud-his method of psychoanalysis was
proven to be effective in understanding some
neurological conditions that were not understood
by medicine at that time.
Development of Science in Mesoamerica
The Mayans built looms for weaving cloth and
devised a rainbow of glittery paints made from a
mineral called mica. Mayan knowledge and
understanding about celestial bodies were
advance for their time, as evidence by their
knowledge of predicting eclipse and using
astrological cycles in planting and harvesting. The
Mayans are also known for measuring time using
two complicated calendar systems. These
calendars were very useful for their life especially
in planning their activities and in observing their
religious rituals and cultural celebrations. The
pyramid at Chichen Itza in Mexico is situated at
the location of the Sun during the spring and fall
equinoxes
3 The Inca civilization is also famous in
Mesoamerica. The Incas made advance scientific
ideas considering their limitations as an old
civilization. The following were scientific ideas and
tools that they developed to help them in
everyday life:
1. Roads paved with stones;
2. Stone buildings that surmounted
earthquakes and other disasters;
3. Irrigation system and technique for
storing water for their crops to grow in all
types of land;
4. Calendar with 12 months to mark their
religious festivals and prepare them for
planting season;
5. The first suspension bridge;
6. Quipu, a system of knotted ropes to
keep records that only experts can
interpret;
7. Inca textiles since cloth was one of the
especially artistic achievements.
Following the Inca, the Aztec civilization has also
made substantial contributions to science and
technology and to the society as a whole. Some of
their contributions are the following:
1. Mandatory Education. The Aztec puts
value on education; that is why their
children are mandated to get education
regardless of their social class, gender, or
age. It is an early form of universal or
inclusive education.
2. Chocolates. The Aztec in Mexico
developed chocolate during their time. In
the Mayan culture, they used it currency.
The Aztec valued the cacao beans highly
and made it as part of their tribute to
their gods.
3. Antispasmodic medication. They used a
type of antispasmodic medication that
could prevent muscle spasm and relax
muscles, which could help during surgery.
4. Chinampa. It is a form of Aztec
technology for agricultural farming in
which the land was divided into
rectangular areas and surrounded by
canals.
5. Aztec calendar. This enabled them to
plan their activities, rituals, and planting
season.
6. Invention of the canoe. A light narrow
boat used for travelling in water systems.
India
Ayurveda, a system of traditional
medicine that originated in ancient India before
2500 BC, is still practice as a form of alternative
medicine. Ancient India is also notable in the field
of astronomy. They developed theories on the
configuration of the universe, the sphericalself-
supporting Earth, and the year of 360 days with 12
equal parts of 30 days each. Sama (2008) noted
that their interest in astronomy was also evident
in the first 12 chapters of the Siddhanta
Shiromani, written in the 12th century. Ancient
India is also known for their mathematics. Bisht
(1982) noted that the earliest traces of
mathematical knowledge in the Indian
subcontinent appears in the Indus Valley
Civilization. The people of this civilization,
according to Bisht (1982), tried to standardize
measurement of length to a high degree of
accuracy and design a ruler, the Mohenjo-daro
ruler.
China
They discovered various medical
properties and uses of different plants and
animals to cure human illness. And example is the
practice of acupuncture. In terms of technology,
the Chinese are known to develop many
civilizations were compass, papermaking,
gunpowder, and printing tools that became
known in the west only by the end of the Middle
Ages (Davies, 1995). They also invented other
tools like iron plough, wheelbarrow, and
propeller, among others. They developed a design
of different models of bridges (Zhongguo ke xue
yuan, 1983), invented the first seismological
director, and developed a dry dock facility
(Needham et al., 1971).
Middle East Countries
With the spread of Islam in the 7th and
8th centuries, a period of Muslim scholarship, or
what is called the Golden Age of Islam lasted until
the 13th century. The common language of
Arabic, access to Greek texts from the Byzantine
Empire, and their proximity to India were
contributory to the intellectualization of the
Muslims and provided their scholars knowledge to
create innovations and develop new ideas, but
contrary to the Greeks, Muslim scientists placed
greater value on science experiments rather than
plain-thought experiments. A Muslim scientific
named Ibn al-HaythTheam is also regarded as the
Father of Optics, especially for his empirical proof
of the intromission theory of light.
In mathematics, the mathematician Muhammad
ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi gave his name to the
concept of the algorithm while the term algebra
is derived from al-jabr, the beginning of the title
of one of his publications. What is now known as
the Arabic numeral system originally came from
India, but Muslim mathematicians did make
several refinements to the number system, such
as the introduction of decimal point notation.
Muslin chemist and alchemists also played an
important role in the foundation of modern
chemistry (Durant, 1980). In particular, some
scholars considered Jabir ibn Hayyan to be the
“Father of chemistry” (Derewenda, 2007; Warren,
2005).
In the field of medicine. Ibn Sina pioneered the
science of experimental medicine and was the
first physician to conduct clinical trials. His two
most notable works in medicine, the Book of
Healing and The Cannon of Medicine, were used
as standard medicinal texts in both the Muslim
world and in Europe during the 17 th century.
Among his many contributions are discovery of
the contagious nature of infectious diseases and
the introduction of clinical pharmacology.
Development of Science in Africa
The ancient Egyptian civilizations has contributed
immensely and made significant advances in the
field of astronomy, mathematics, and medicine.
For example, the development of geometry was a
product of necessity to preserve the layout and
ownership of farmlands of the Egyptians living
along the Nile River. The rules of geometry were
developed and used to build rectilinear
structures, the post of lintel architecture of
Egypt.
Egypt was known to be the center of alchemy,
which is known as the medieval forerunner of
chemistry. They tried to study human anatomy
and pharmacology, and applied important
components such as examination, diagnosis,
treatment, and prognosis for the treatment of
diseases. These components displayed strong
parallels to the basic empirical method of
studying science.
Metallurgy was also known in the African regions
during the ancient times. North Africa and the Nile
Valley imported iron technology from the Near
East Region that enabled them to benefit from
the developments during the Bronze Age until
the Iron Age. They invented metal tools used in
their homes, in agriculture, and in building their
magnificent architectures.
The Lebombo Bone from the mountains between
Swaziland and South Africa, which may have been
a tool for multiplication, division, and simple
mathematical calculation or a six-month lunar
calendar, is considered to be the oldest known
mathematical fundamental mathematical
operations and other mathematical skills. They
have knowledge of the basic concepts of algebra
and geometry. The Islamic regions in Africa during
the medieval period was also benefiting from
mathematical learning, which is considered
advanced during those times, such as algebra,
geometry, and trigonometry.
These Filipino scientists are:
• Caesar A Saloma – an internationally
renowned physicist
• Edgardo Gomez – famous scientist in
marine science
• William Padolina – chemistry and
president of National Academy of Science
and Technology (NAST) – Philippines
• Angel Alcala – marine science

1. Ramon Cabanos Barba – for his

outstanding research on tissue culture in
Philippine mangoes
2. Josefino Cacas Cosimo – for his works
on observing the characteristics of
Antarctica by using satellite images
3. Jose Bejar Cruz Jr. – known
internationally in the field of Electrical and
Electronics Engineering
4. Lourdes Jansuy Cruz – notable for her
research on sea snail venom
5. Fabian Millar Dayrit – for his research
on herbal medincine
6. Rafael Dineros Guerrero III – for his
research on tilapia culture
7. Enrique Mapua Ostrea Jr. – for
inventing the meconium drugs testing
The University of the Philippines-Los Baños is a
science paradise for agriculture, forestry, plant
and animal science, and veterinary science. It has
produced numerous scientists and various
research in the fields mention.
The University of the Philippines-Visayas is also a
national center for marine science, fisheries, and
other related sciences.
The University of the Philippines- Manila is a
center of excellence and has produced many
researchers, doctors, health professionals and
scientists in the area of medical and public health.
The University of the Philippines-Diliman also has
established a national science and engineering
complex to develop more research and produce
more scientist and engineers in the country. The
government must find ways to stablish more
research laboratories and research institute.

8. Lilian Formalejo Patena – for doing

research on plant biotechnology

9. Mari-Jo Panganiban Ruiz – for being an

outstanding educator and graph theorist

10.Gregory Ligot Tangonan – for his

research in the field of communication
technology

There are other outstanding Filipino scientists who

are recognized here and abroad for their
outstanding contribution in science: