BUCAS GRANDE FOUNDATION COLLEGE

m Timcang Street, Barangay Taruc, Socorro, Surigao del Norte

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

LEARNING MODULE - 1

LEAH MARIE C. MAHOMOC

Instructor

GEC 10 – SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

GENERAL CONCEPTS AND STS HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS

INTRODUCTION

From the beginning of time, man has tried to improve his way and quality of life. The
caveman discovered how to make and used tools, developed a logical sequence of activities
and evolved processes that added value to his life. The totality of the uses and application
of his knowledge, skills, tools and materials constitute what we describe today as science
and technology.

Science and Technology

Science is any system of knowledge that is

concerned with the physical world and its
phenomena and that entails unbiased
observations and systematic
experimentation. In general, a science
involves a pursuit of knowledge covering
general truths or the operations of
fundamental laws.

Technology is the branch of knowledge

that deals with the creation and use of
technical means and their interrelation
with life, society, and the environment,
drawing upon such subjects as industrial
arts, engineering, applied science, and pure
science.

In this module, we will discuss the historical antecedents or the major events in the past
that changed the course of science and technology.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Discuss how scientific and technological developments affect history and

the society.
2. Identify the key factors of S&T in the development of the Philippines.
3. Weigh the merits of the advances that technology has wrought and identify
paradigm shifts in the history of technology.
 HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN WHICH SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS CHANGED THE COURSE
OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Science and Technology in Ancient Times

In the ancient times, people were concerned with transportation and navigation, communication
and record keeping, mass production, security and protection, as well as health, aesthetics and
architecture. Science and Technology keeps on advancing in order to meet the growing needs of people
along these areas. Due to the constant innovation introduced by Science and Technology, which has the
end goal of improving lives and making the work easier, faster and efficient, our society respond by
changing as well. These changes are evident as each ancient civilization keep on creating technology
that has been modified and that is being used today.

To name a few, Sumerian are known for their contribution with the first writing system called
as cuneiform. Challenge to mass produce food, they invented plowing, irrigation and dikes and wheel
for farming. Throughout the existence of this civilization, their main mode of transportation was
through waterways such as rivers and seas. They are also known to develop the first road.

Hanging Garden of Babylon

On the other hand, Babylonian civilization, which emerged near Tigris and Euphrates River
were famous for being great builders, engineers and architects. One of major contributions is the
hanging garden of Babylon which one of the seven wonders of the world.

Another civilization that is known for its renowned archeological artifact like the death mask of
Tutankhamen and Pyramid of Giza is the Egyptian Civilization. Also, ancient Egyptians are known for
their earlier contributions like water clock or clypsedra, paper or papyrus, ink and a system of writing
known as hieroglyphics. They have also invented cosmetics for aesthetic reason. Meanwhile, during
this time, wigs were worn by wealthy Egyptians to protect the shave of the heads from the harmful rays
of the sun.
 Death Mask of Tutankhamun Pyramid of Giza

Papyrus Hieroglyphs

Apart from being the birthplace of western philosophy, some of the major achievements of
Greeks include in-depth works on Philosophy and Mathematics. They are also celebrated for their
contribution to the world like coliseum, Olympics, alarm clock and water mill.

The Coliseum
 Perceived to be the strongest political and social entity in the west, Roman Empire was
considered to be the cradle of politics and governance. Other civilizations looked up to it as a model in
terms of codified laws and legislation. They are also celebrated for the invention of newspaper, bound
books or codex. In terms of architecture and engineering, Romans are known for building elaborate
churches, basilicas, aqueducts, coliseums, amphitheaters and residential houses. They have also devised
their own number system which is the Roman Numeral System.

Roman Numeral System Roman Aqueduct

Considered to be the oldest civilization in Asia, China is known for the silk trade, tea production,
gun powder and the living legend great wall of China.

Science and Technology in Middle Ages

The start of the middle ages was marred by massive invasions and migrations. Wars are
prevalent during this time. As such, great technology was needed in the fields of weaponry, navigation,
food and farm production and health. The wars have resulted to population decline. However, in the
later part of this period, there was significant increase in population. Trade and commerce among
nations increased, which resulted in greater demands for transportation technology. Some of the most
innovative minds came from this period.

To facilitate record keeping, woodlock printing developed by Chinese was improved by the
time of Johann Gutenberg with a cast type printing press. This general invention soon evolved to be the
mechanical printing press which was eventually used all over the world. The printing press was
invented to address the need for publishing books that would spread information to many people at a
faster rate. This invention also made works accessible to individuals who could not even write
(Streissguth, 1997).
 Another invention in the Middle Age is the microscope. Growing populations caused massive
migration and urbanization during the period. More and more people transferred to polluted and
populated urban areas which resulted in more people getting sick. With this, experts needed to a device
to study microorganisms in order to develop proper medicines for illnesses. Guided by the principles
used for the invention of eyeglasses in earlier years, Zacharias Janssen was able to develop the first
compound microscope (Davidson, 2015).

Since the Middle Age was also known as the Age of Exploration, the need for nautical
inventions was high. The invention of the telescope, an optical instrument that helps in the observation
of remote objects, was a great help for navigators during this time.

Great development in the weaponry technology also occurred in this era. This include cross
bows and long bows. Additionally, in close range hand-to-hand combat, soldiers should wear
something to protect themselves, a need addressed by the creation of iron body armors. However, body
armors were heavy and limited the movements of the soldiers, chainmail was invented to solve the
problem.
Science and Technology in Modern Times

The booming world population during the nineteenth century onwards demanded that more
goods be produced at faster rate. People needed efficient means of transportation to trade more goods
and cover a larger distance. Machines that required animals to operate must thus be upgraded. Faster
and easier means to communicate and compute should be developed to establish connections between
and among nations. All these needs resulted in the development of industries. However, due to massive
industrialization, the modern times again faced more complicated problems. Food processing and
medicine posed some of the bigger challenges since health was of great concern.

As people were able to develop better means of production to meet the needs of the population,
food preservation and food safety became an issue. Louis Pasteur, a French biologist, microbiologist
and chemist found a way to solve the problem. He invented pasteurization, the process of heating dairy
products to kill the harmful bacteria that allow them to spoil faster. Through this process, milk could be
stored and consumed for a longer period. It also prevented illnesses caused by harmful bacteria
(Macalester College, 2010). Other contributions of Pasteur to Science and Technology and Medicine
included his works on molecular asymmetry, fermentation and vaccination.

The modern times demanded better means of powering homes and transportation. This led to
the development of kerosene and the petroleum refinery industry (Skrabec, 2010). At present,
petroleum is widely used in powering automobiles, factories and power plants, among others.

The more people got connected by trade and exploration, the more they needed a way to easily
maintain these connections and communicate with each other in real time. Governments likewise
needed some kind of communication system which would allow them to administer their states well.
Important day to-day decisions must be discussed and addressed at the fastest time possible. Thus, the
invention of telephone by Alexander Graham Bell was one of the most important inventions at that time.

Although an earlier version of the calculator had already been developed, circumstances in the
modern times required a faster way to compute more complicated equations. Computing devices must
also be easy to carry since they would be utilized on a day-to-day basis. The creation of modern
calculators did not only pave the way for easier arithmetic calculations, but also resulted in the
development of more complex processing machines like computer.
 ACTIVITY 1

Name: Score:
Course and year:

We Have the Technology!

Directions: Technological fixes are proposed to address many of the world’s social and
environmental challenges and has helped us tremendously in our daily lives. Use the
chart below to evaluate the technological innovations identified therein. Write one (1)
advantage under benefit and one (1) disadvantage under burden. After that, identify
other technological developments in the space provided below and write at least one (1)
advantage and disadvantage.

TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESS
OR DEVICE BENEFIT BURDEN

1. Laptops

2. Automobile

3. Mobile phones

4. Windmills

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.
 ACTIVITY 2

Name: Score:
Course and year:

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Directions: The pictures below show major developments in history that helped shaped the
society that we have today. Analyze each picture. Discuss why each of the technological
products changed the course of science and technology.
FILIPINO SCIENTISTS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS
 ACTIVITY 3

Name: Score:
Course and year:

NATIONAL SCIENTISTS

Directions: Research and fill the chart below with four more Filipinos and their contributions,
discoveries or inventions. (Note: the scientists above should not be included)