SCIENCE,

TECHNOLOGY
, AND
SOCIETY
Lesson 2:
Science, Technology,
and Nation-
Building
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
discuss the role of science a nd technology in
Philippine nation-building;
evaluate government policies pertaining to science and
technology in terms of their contributions to nation-
building; and
identify actual science and technology policies of the
government and appraise their impact on the development
of the Filipino nation.
Brief Historical Background of
Science and Technology in the
Philippines
Pre-Spanish Philippines
Scientific knowledge is observed in the way they plant their crops that provide
them food, in taking care of animals to help them in their daily tasks, and for
food production.
Technology is used by people in building houses, irrigations, and in developing
tools that they can use in everyday life. (e.g., they developed tools for
planting, hunting, cooking, and fishing; for fighting their enemies during war.
The sophisticated designs of gold and silver jewelries, ceramics, and metal
tools proved that their technological ideas helped in the development of
different tools.
Trading with China, Indonesia, Japan and nearvy countries have influenced
their lives by providing different opportunities for cultural and technological
exchange.
Spanish Era
The Spa nia rds esta blished schools for boys a nd girls
a nd introduced the concept of subjects ad disciplines.
School of Science and Technology - the beginning of formal
science and technology in the country.
Learning of Science in school focuses on understanding
different concepts rela ted to huma n body, pla nts,
a nnima ls, and heavenly bodies.
Learning of Technology in school focuses on using developing
house tools used in everyday life.
Spanish Era
Galleon trade - brought additional technology an
development in the Philippines.
The Philippines, being one of the centers of global trade in
Southeast Asia during that time, was considered to be one of
the most developed places in the region.
Influences of America
Americans established the public education system, improved the
engineering works and the health conditions of the people.

They established a research university, the University of the Philippines,

and created more public hospotals than the former colonial master.

In basic education, science education focuses on nature studies and

science and sanitation, until it became a subject formally known as
"Science."
Figure 3. Influences in the Development of Science
a nd Technology in the Philippines
Famous Filipinos in the Field of Science
Ramon Cabanos Barba - for his outstanding research on
tissue culture in Philippine mangoes.
Josefino Cacas Comiso - for his works on observing the
characteristics of Antarctica by using satellite images
Jose Bejar Cruz Jr. - known internationally in the field of
electrical engineering; was elected as officer of the famous
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Lourdes Jansuy Cruz - notable for her research on sea snail
venom
Fabian Millar Dayrit - for his research on herbal medicine
Famous Filipinos in the Field of Science
Ra fa el Dineros Guerrero III - for his resea rch on
herba l medicine
Enrique Mapua Ostrea Jr. - for inventing the meconium
drugs testing
Lilia n Forma lejo Pa tena - for doing resea rch on
pla nt biotechnology
Mari-Jo Panganiban Ruiz - for being an outstanding
educator and graph theorist
Gregory Ligot Ta ngona n - for his resea rch in the field
of communications technology
Filipino Scientists who a re recognized a broa d
for their outstanding contributions to science:
Ca esa r A. Sa loma - a n interna tiona lly
renowned physicist
Edgardo Gomez - famous scientist in marine science
William Padolina - chemistry and president of National
Aca demy of Science a nd Technology
( NAST) - Philippines
Angel Alcala - marine science
Thank you.