FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev.

0 10-July-2020

Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 2

STUDY GUIDE FOR MODULE NO. 2

HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MODULE OVERVIEW

This module will introduce you the major roles of science and technology in the everyday life in a
historical perspective. As you proceed with the learning activities, you should be able to discover how different
social, cultural, economic, and political conditions affected science and technology and how science and
technology affected society as a whole. This module will focus on three historical periods: Ancient, Middle,
and Modern Period.
We will not only be looking at the history of science and technology in a global context. We will also
discuss important Philippine inventions and innovations. This way we could appreciate the different
contributions to the science and technology field of our own countrymen.

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this Module, you should be able to:

1. discuss the interactions between science, technology, and society throughout history;
2. discuss how scientific and technological developments affect society and the environment; and
3. explain how Philippine scientific and technological inventions shaped and were shaped by various
social context.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1

Reflection

Before continuing on this Module, watch an 18- minute TEDxTalk by Hannu Rajaniemi entitled The Big
History of Modern Science using the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcWsjlGPPFQ. Afterward,
reflect on the following question: “Why is it important to study the history of Science and Technology?”

ANTECEDENT DEFINED

Though it is important to study scientific and technological innovations that had important societal
impacts, there would not be enough time to study them all. What we would focus on are the historical
antecedents, which, according to Quinto, et al (2019), are “factors that paved the way for the presence of
advanced and sophisticated scientific and ethnological innovations today.” The study of these historical
antecedents is important because they help us better understand how to develop new scientific and
technological innovations and help us make better decisions based from our experiences.
In our study of these historical antecedents, we will be dividing them into three distinct but interrelated
periods. This relationship of different historical antecedents of science and technology across time can be
seen in Figure 2.1.

Figure 2.1: Historical antecedents of S&T across Time

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Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 2

ANCIENT PERIOD

In the ancient times, people were concerned with transportation and navigation, communication and
record keeping, mass production, power and energy, security and protection, as well as health, observation,
and measurement, aesthetics, engineering, and architecture. A primary challenge they faced was the
conservation of life. The early people might have been successful in harnessing the rich resources that the
world could provide but their survival posed a great problem. Different illnesses and diseases, both natural
and man-made, hampered the full potential of a human being. Given this predicament, science and
technology played a major role in the discovery of cures, if not the prevention of illness. Moreover, in order to
integrate their needs for better transportation, establishment of structures for protection from human attacks
and natural disasters, and construction of bigger and stronger infrastructure. Furthermore, the people were
not contented on beautifying their infrastructures and surrounding but more on being able to prolong life with
the mass production of food and advancement of medical technology, as well as raising the quality of life.

The rise of ancient civilizations such as Sumerians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and
Chinese paved the way for advances in science and technology. Their contributions not only allowed these
ancient civilizations to flourish, but also paved the way for the developments of many other science and
technology innovations.

Some of the important historical antecedents of much more modern science and technology innovations
which were discovered in the ancient times include the ancient wheel, paper, shadoof, Antikythera
mechanism, and aeolipile. To learn more about these technologies, you may consult Quinto (2019) and read
pages 18 – 19 of this textbook. However, you are free to look for any material that discusses these pieces of
scientific and technological innovations. Make sure that when you read about these technological
innovations, you are mindful of their impact to modern times. However, it should be noted that many more
scientific and technological innovations were developed during ancient times.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 2

Poster Making

Your class will be divided into six groups to create a poster for an ancient civilization. For each
civilization, draw the contributions of each civilization that helped in the advancement of science and
technology. On a separate sheet of paper, write what these contributions are all about and how it influenced
you as a member of the modern society. The ancient civilizations include the following:
Group 1: Sumerians
Group 2: Babylonians
Group 3: Egyptians
Group 4: Greeks
Group 5: Romans
Group 6: Chinese

Each group’s work will be discussed by one member of the group during our online discussion. You will
be given a maximum of five minutes to discuss the contents of your poster. Your work will be graded as
follows:

4 3 2 1
Creativity and Work is inventive Work shows a high Work shows some Work is not
originality and shows a high degree of degree of original.
degree of imagination and inventiveness and
imagination and resourcefulness. resourcefulness.
resourcefulness.
Visual appeal The poster is The poster is The poster is The poster is
exceptionally attractive in terms tolerably attractive messy and poorly
attractive in terms of layout, design, in terms of layout, designed and
of layout, design, and neatness. design, and layed out
and neatness. neatness.
Clarity of The message of The message of The message of The message of

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Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 2

message the poster is the poster is clear the poster is the poster is
exceptionally clear and impactful. comprehensible incomprehensible.
and impactful. but may lack
impact.
Explanation The explanation The explanation The explanation The explanation
was complete, was complete and was complete, but was incomplete,
concise, and clear. clear. may be long- long-winded, and
winded or unclear. unclear.
Timeliness Completed work Completed work Completed work Completed work
was passed earlier was passed on the was passed the was passed more
than the deadline deadline given. day after the than a day after the
given. deadline given. deadline given.

MEDIEVAL / MIDDLE AGES

The Middle Ages, which occurred between the collapse of the Roman Empire in 5th century AD and the
colonial expansion of Western Europe in late 15th century AD, was an age of which started with wars,
migrations, and population rise and fall. These events led to new technologies needed in the fields of
weaponry, transportation and navigation, mass food and farm production, and health. This is also the period
of the emergence of scientific thinking and scientific method. Because of this, many of our technologies can
actually be traced back in this time period.

According to Quinto (2019), the heavy plough, gunpowder, paper money, mechanical clock and
spinning wheel were the important technologies which emerged in this time period. Read pages 20 – 22 of
this textbook to learn about these, but you may use any material that you wish discussing these innovations.
Just like in the ancient period, be mindful of their impacts to society and that they are not the only
technologies that are developed during this time.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 3

Worksheet

After reading about the innovations during the Middle Ages, complete the following table.
Heavy Gunpowder Paper money Mechanical Spinning
plough clock wheel
Developer / inventor
Origin
Time of invention
Impact or contribution
to mankind

MODERN AGES

According to Quinto, et al (2019), the Modern Ages was marked with a steady increase in population
that emphasizes the “importance of increasing the efficiency of transportation, communication, and
production”. During the Modern ages, more complicated problems were created that needed more solutions
and greater risks for many aspects of human life were needed to be addressed.

Read pages 22 – 25 of Quinto (2019) to have a brief background on important historical antecedents of
science and technology that started in the Modern Ages. These include, but are not limited to, compound
microscope, telescope, Jacquard loom, engine-powered airplane, and television. You may also consult any
resource that you wish regarding the said technologies.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 4

Reflection

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Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 2

After reading about the technologies developed during the Modern Ages, choose at least two (2)
inventions / technologies that you consider to be antecedents of other inventions / technologies. Describe their
function and how they are being used, who invented that technology, why you chose these two particular
inventions and technologies and the social, political, cultural, or economic contexts in which the invention was
made.

Your work will be assessed using the following criteria:

4 3 2 1
Depth of Content Demonstrates a Demonstrates a Demonstrates a Lacks
comprehensive comprehensive basic understanding of
understanding of understanding of understanding of the subject for
the subject for the subject for the subject for reflection.
reflection and work reflection. reflection.
can be used as an
example for others.
Originality and Work is insightful Work is insightful Work shows some Work is not
Insight and shows a high and shows insight and some original.
degree of imagination. degree of
imagination. imagination.
Style and Clarity Ideas are clearly Ideas are clearly Ideas show some Ideas are not
articulated and well articulated and well degree of clarity communicated
developed. developed. but are not well clearly nor are they
developed. well developed.
Organization and Writing is well- Writing is well- Writing has some Writing is
Grammar organized with no organized with few degree of unorganized and
spelling and spelling and organization with contains many
grammatical errors. grammatical errors. some spelling and spelling and
grammatical errors. grammatical errors.
Timeliness Completed work Completed work Completed work Completed work
was passed earlier was passed on the was passed the was passed more
than the deadline deadline given. day after the than a day after the
given. deadline given. deadline given.

INVENTIONS BY FILIPINO SCIENTISTS

The Philippines, despite being considered a developing country, have their own contributions to science
and technology and have a culture of developing scientific and technological innovations. Known for original,
clever, and inventive ideas, Filipino scientists and inventors have used the needs and necessities of our
nation in their innovations using resources that are indigenous to the country. Areas where Filipinos focus
include adaptation to natural disasters, navigation, textiles, food, and culture.

Quinto (2019), lists some of our many Filipino scientists, inventors, and innovators, along with their
contributions to society. These include:
Some of our Filipino scientists and inventors are the following:

1.Manuel Guerrero. Studied beriberi in infants in the Philippines during Spanish era.

2.Leon Ma Guerrero. First licensed pharmacist in the Philippines, and one of the most eminent
botanists in the country in his time.

3.Anaclento del Rosario. Leading chemist in the Philippines during the Spanish era, regarded as the
"Father of Philippine Science and Laboratory", and invented the formula for producing a pure kind of alcohol
from tuba in a nipa palm.

4.Abelardo Aguilar. Invented Erythromycin, an antibiotic from Streptomyces erythreus.

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Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 2

5.Aisa Mijeno. Invention of Sustainable Alternative Lighting Lamp (SALt lamp), an environment friendly
light source that runs on saltwater. It is safer as it poses no risk of fire and emit no toxic gases and it benefits
those from far-flung barrios.

6.Rolando dela Cruz. Invented a local mole remover from extracts of cashew nuts.

7.Maria Orosa. Invented the banana ketchup.

8.Fe del Mundo. Invention of medical incubator from indigenous and cheap materials which did not run
on electricity by placing a native laundry basket inside a bigger one abd inserting hot water bottles between
the baskets to provide warmth and makeshift hood to allow oxygen circulation. She was the first Asian
woman who admitted into Harvard Medical School. Other breakthroughs in Philippine medicine attributed to
Del Mundo include her works on the immunization and treatment of jaundice and the BRAT diet (includes
banana and rice) for curing diarrhea.

9.Dominic Chung, Lamberto Andrada, and Antonio Llave. Invention of the Salamander, an amphibious
tricycle that can cross not only flooded streets but also rivers and lakes.

10. Enrique Ostrea, Jr. Invention of the meconium drug testing

11. Angel Alcala. Outstanding contributions to marine science

12. Caesar Saloma. Outstanding contributions to physics

13. Edgardo Gomez. Outstanding contributions to marine science

14. Fabian Dayrit. Outstanding contributions to herbal medicine

15. Gregory Tangonan. Outstanding contributions to communications technology

16. Jose Cruz, Jr. Outstanding contributions to electrical engineering

17. Josefino Comiso. Outstanding contributions to Antarctica satellite imaging

18. Lilian Patena. Outstanding contributions to plant biotechnology

19. Lourdes Cruz. Outstanding contributions to sea snail venom

20. Mari-Jo Ruiz. Outstanding contributions to education and graph theory in mathematics

21. Rafael Guerrero III. Outstanding contributions to tilapia culture

22. Ramon Barba. Outstanding contributions to tissue culture in Philippine mangoes

23. William Padolina. Outstanding contributions to chemistry

Their impacts will be discussed in much greater detail in Module 4.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 5

Drawing / Model-making Activity

Draw or create of a model of an invention or innovation that could be beneficial to our society on the
present day. Describe what your invention is, why you decided to invent it, what influences did you draw from
this invention, and how it will benefit society as a whole. Your work will be graded according to the following
criteria:
4 3 2 1
Creativity and Work is inventive Work shows a high Work shows some Work is not
originality and shows a high degree of degree of original.
degree of imagination and inventiveness and

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Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 2

imagination and resourcefulness. resourcefulness.

resourcefulness.
Visual appeal The poster is The poster is The poster is The poster is
exceptionally attractive in terms tolerably attractive messy and poorly
attractive in terms of layout, design, in terms of layout, designed and
of layout, design, and neatness. design, and layed out
and neatness. neatness.
Clarity of The message of The message of The message of The message of
message the poster is the poster is clear the poster is the poster is
exceptionally clear and impactful. comprehensible incomprehensible.
and impactful. but may lack
impact.
Explanation The explanation The explanation The explanation The explanation
was complete, was complete and was complete, but was incomplete,
concise, and clear. clear. may be long- long-winded, and
winded or unclear. unclear.
Timeliness Completed work Completed work Completed work Completed work
was passed earlier was passed on the was passed the was passed more
than the deadline deadline given. day after the than a day after the
given. deadline given. deadline given.

After finishing this Module, you will have a quiz, which covers both Modules 1 and 2.

SUMMARY

The following learning points summarize what you have learned in this section:

 The development of science and technology is affected by social contexts and social contexts affect
the developments in science and technology. By looking at the conditions present in a certain
historical period, we can discern the needs of humankind and these needs drive the development of
science and technology.
 Certain scientific and technological innovations are considered as historical antecedents; that is, they
are precursors of other scientific innovations. They provide solutions to existing problems and are
important foundations for the development of future products and processes.
 The Ancient Period, Middle Ages, and Modern Ages are three historical periods marked with differing
contexts and thus developed different types of technologies.
 Filipino scientists and inventors contributed to the development of science and technology. They
focused on the needs of the nation as the main motivators of their inventions.

REFERENCES

 Anderson, P.((2001). More is Different-One More Time. In Ong and Bhatt, R.N.Eds.More is
Different: Fifty Years of Condensed Matter Physics. (pp.1-8). USA: Princeton University Press.
Retrieved from: https://www.tkm.kit.edu/downloads/TKM1 2011 more is different PWA.pdf
 Shuttleworth, M.(2008, April 15). Scientific Reductionism. Exxplorable.com. Retrieved from
https://explorable.com/scientific-reductionism
 TheScienceFoundation.(2011,November 28).Stephen Colbert Interviews Neil deGrasse Tyson at
Montclair Kimberley Academy-January 29th 2010. Video file. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.co/watch?v=ers2SPaTFTg
 TEDxTalks(2015, June 13). The Big History of Modern Science I Hannu Rajaniemi ITEDxDanubia.[.
Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.co/watch?v=ZcWsjlGPPFQ

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