MODULE 3

GEC 008- SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

Specific Issues in Science, Technology, and Society

This module tackles specific issues in science and technology in the

context of the information age, biodiversity and health, genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) and gene therapy, nanotechnology, and climate change
and environmental awareness. By critiquing specific issues in science and
technology in the context on how these affect human lives, the module aims
to empower students toward a renewed understanding and appreciation of
science and technology in the present context of society.

Activities on this module shall be accomplished and to be submitted

on the delivery of the next module.
LESSON 4: NANOTECHNOLOGY

INTRODUCTION
This section discuss nanotechnology and how the manipulation of matter on a nanoscale
impacts the society. It focuses on both the advantages and disadvantages of
nanotechnology.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this section, the students should be able to:

1. Discuss the antecedents of nanotechnology and its importance to society;
2. Enumerate the positive and negative impacts of nanotechnology on the
environment and society; and
3. Identify the moral and ethical questions and concerns surrounding
nanotechnology.

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 MOTIVATION

Instructions: What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of the ability to
manipulate the building blocks of the world (i.e., individual atoms and molecules) at
dimensions and tolerance of less than one-billion of a meter? Copy the table in a short
bond paper and list down your ideas. Include this in your activities to be submitted.

MANIPULATION OF ATOMS AND MOLECULES

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Nanotechnology is “convergent” because

it brings together various fields of science Currently, one of the
through its innovations, e.g., DNA silicon main disadvantages associated
chips, converging between with nanomaterials is considered to be
semiconductor science (inorganic inhalation exposure. This concern arises
chemistry) and biology, with applications from animal studies, the results of which
in the medical chemistry. suggested that nanomaterials such as
carbon nanotubes and nanofibers may
This technology is “enabling” in the sense cause detrimental pulmonary effects,
that it provides the platform and the tools such as pulmonary fibrosis.
to produce innovations.
Atomic weapons would be easier to
The environmental effect of mineral- create and novel weapons might also be
based nanoparticles found in cosmetics, developed. One possibility is the so-
paints, clothing, and other products are called "smart bullet," a computerized
questioned as they go through sewerage bullet that could be controlled and aimed
treatment plants untreated due to their very accurately. These developments
undetectable size. They can be carried may prove a boon for the military; but if
down by fine silts or microplastics with they fell into the wrong hands, the
both inorganic and organic pollutants. consequences would be dire.
Thus, these may effect water source
(Biercuk, 2011). For instance, in the
1980s, a semiconductor plant
contaminated the ground water in Silicon
Valley, California (Zhang et al., 2011).

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 Exercise 1: Flash Card Making

Instructions: Research on a nano product available in the market today. Draw or

paste a picture of the product on a 15 x 20-inch illustration board. At the back, write a
50-words description about the product, particularly explaining how it was produced
using nanotechnology.

Bullet-Proof Nano
Carbon nanotubes that arise are light, flexible, strong, and thermally stable. Millions of
these nanotubes join together to produce carbon nanofibers, which are woven together
to make a lightweight material in a bulletproof vest. Carbon nanofibers produced as a
consequence are highly effective at absorbing energy, making them suitable for
bulletproof armor.

Exercise 2: Our Share to a Nano

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 Instructions: Work with your partner. Review the potential hazards of
nanotechnology that you learned in this section. Then, propose a policy that addresses
the potential hazards you identified. Use the template below for your policy proposal.
1. Name of the Policy Proposal: Reducing nanotechnology risk
2. Proponents
i. Names: Mark Kennedy Lagrio
ii. Email: [email protected]
iii. Telephone: 09974962632
iv. Organization: N/A
3. Date: February 3,2021

4. Problem statement (100-200 words)

It's a challenging issue to address since every nanomaterial (as well as each chemical)
has its own set of properties. Its impact of nanotechnology are influenced by a variety of
variables, including form, size, crystal structures, surface coatings, surface roughness,
surface charge, surface reactivity, and others. Furthermore, the nano particle does not
have the same attributes as its “usual” sized counterpart.
Since there are so many unknowns concerning nanoparticles' toxicity, precautions must
be taken to keep exposures to a minimum. More information regarding the
nanomaterial, such as what is known about its toxicological characteristics or the
elemental components from which a certain nanomaterial is made, may be dangerous.
5. Policy statement (200-300 words)
Because of the uncertainties about the toxicology of nanomaterials, steps need to be
taken to reduce exposures to as low as possible. More information about the
nanomaterial may be needed, such as what is known about the toxicological properties
of that nanomaterial, e.g., studies about humans, animals, or those done in a
laboratory). What is known about the safety properties?
Use the hierarchy of control concepts to manage these exposures. There are four major
control mechanisms that should be used in this order:
1.Separation (including substitution)
2.Controls in engineering
3.Administrative checks and balances
4.Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a type of personal protective equipment that
is worn by individuals

6. Additional Information

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 Equipment are techniques for removing a product or creating a barrier between a
worker and a hazard. Inhalation is the most prevalent way for workers to be exposed to
nanoparticles in the air. Worker exposure to nanoparticles created by various industrial
processes can be reduced by using ventilation as a control technique. Design the whole
job process to be as efficient as feasible whenever possible.

i. Timetable for implementation:

https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/nanotechnology_controls.html

THIS MODULE IS FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LA SALETTE, INC. ANY FORM OF
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 MODULE 3
GEC 008- SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

Specific Issues in Science, Technology, and Society

This module tackles specific issues in science and technology in the

context of the information age, biodiversity and health, genetically modified
organisms (GMOs) and gene therapy, nanotechnology, and climate change
and environmental awareness. By critiquing specific issues in science and
technology in the context on how these affect human lives, the module aims
to empower students toward a renewed understanding and appreciation of
science and technology in the present context of society.

Activities on this module shall be accomplished and to be submitted

on the delivery of the next module.
LESSON 5: CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL
AWARENESS

INTRODUCTION
This section reviews key concepts on climate change and its various impacts on
society, and weighs in on the local, regional, and global efforts to address it. It primarily
aims to inculcate environmental awareness among students.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this section, the students should be able to:

1. Explain climate change and its adverse effects on the environment and society;
2. Promote the significance of disaster preparedness in the face of natural disasters;
and
3. Discuss the value of conserving and preserving the environment to address the
impacts of climate change and society.

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REPRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION, UPLOADING, OR POSTING ONLINE IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS
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 MOTIVATION

Instructions: Examine the picture below. It was taken during the aftermath of Ondoy,
the devastating tropical storm that hit the Philippines in 2009. Discuss how climate
change connected to environmental destruction. You may share your memories of
typhoon Ondoy in order to enrich your discussion. Also, you may share your own
experiences or observations about the impacts of climate change on the environment.
Write notes in a short bond paper and include it in the activities to be submitted.

The picture taken is a indicator for us to be aware on what will be the effects of our
actions. Climate change happened because of our wrong doings. Human activity is the
main cause of climate change. We burn fossil fuels and convert land from forests to
agriculture. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, we burned more and more
fossil fuels and changed vast areas of land from forests to farmland. This will be the one
effect of our wrong doings.
The impacts of climate change on different sectors of society are interrelated. Drought
can harm food production and human health. Flooding can lead to disease spread and
damages to ecosystems and infrastructure. Human health issues can increase
mortality, impact food availability, and limit worker productivity. Climate change impacts
are seen throughout every aspect of the world we live in. However, climate change
impacts are uneven across the country and the world — even within a single
community, climate change impacts can differ between neighborhoods or individuals.
Long-standing socioeconomic inequities can make  underserved groups, who often
have the highest exposure to hazards and the fewest resources to respond, more
vulnerable. We are all experiencing it, not only in the Philippines but all around the
world. that’s why we need to be careful and protect our earth.

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 EVALUATION/ ASSESSMENT

Exercise 2: Film Viewing

Instructions: Watch Al Gore’s documentary film, An Inconvenient Truth (2006). Take
down notes while watching the documentary film. Does climate change really exist?
Consider arguments and evidence presented by scientists who are not convinced and
those who argue for the existence of climate change. After the film viewing, write your
stand on the truth about rising global temperature. Write your answer in a short bond
paper and include it in the activities to be submitted.

Exercise 3: Essay
Instructions: Watch the video Typhoon Haiyan: Eye of the Storm on YouTube
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnahLg_LG_DmQ). Then, in a short bond paper
write a reaction essay on the documentary using the following questions. Limit your
essay to 300-500 words.
1. What are the impacts of climate change on meteorological patterns?
Changes in the climate will change the weather patterns and will bring more rain in
some countries, but others will have less rain, generally dry areas will become drier and
wet areas could become wetter. The impacts of climate change, including sea level rise,
increased frequency of extreme weather events, rising temperatures and extreme
rainfall. This is due to its high exposure to natural hazards (cyclones, landslides, floods,
droughts), dependence on climate-sensitive natural resources and vast coastlines
where all major cities and the majority of the population reside. 

2. What pieces of evidence are presented that prove or reinforce the connection
between climate change and the changing meteorological patterns?
Other observations of recent climate change include a global average sea level rise of 8
inches over the last century; declining sea ice, ice sheet, and glacier size; decreased
snow cover and longer frost-free seasons; an approximately 30% more acidic surface
ocean; and more frequent high-temperature records being set in recent decades.

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 Natural processes strongly affect Earth’s climate (this is partly why the trend in Figure 1
above is not a smooth one), but there is evidence that greenhouse gas emissions from
humans, combined with other human activities such as land-use changes, are linked to
the rapid warming that has been observed since the middle of the 20th century

3. How did the documentary affect your personal beliefs and actions towards protecting
the environment?

The documentary explained about the environmental counter blow of the human
activity. I realize that we should be aware on our actions specially when we are talking
to our environment, because one of the main reason of global warming is the human
activity (insulting environment). The first point is that we and our actions must be
responsible in responding several ways pertaining in the environment . The country is
one of the most disaster-prone in the world. Typhoon Haiyan was the country's third
disaster in less than two months, following a war in Zamboanga and an earthquake in
Bohol that displaced 750,000 people. As a result, we need to be a responsible in
protecting the environment. The three 3R could be one best answer to avoid global
warming Reuse Reduce Recycle - for all to minimising the amount of waste we produce,
reusing products as much as we can, and remembering to recycle any materials that
can be used for a new purpose.

THIS MODULE IS FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LA SALETTE, INC. ANY FORM OF
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