LESSON 1 Science, Technology and Its Significance to Society in Contemporary World

Content Standard: The learners demonstrate an understanding of the meaning of science, technology and its
significance.
Learning Outcomes: The students will be able to:
1. State the meaning of Science and Technology;
2. Describe some notable developments of science and technology and its significance to the society;
3. Describe some disadvantages of science and technology.

Word Bank: Science, Technology, wheel, compass, printing press, combustion engine, telephone, Penicillin

DISCUSSION

A.The Meaning of Science and Technology

 Science, technology and society (STS), also referred to as science and technology studies, is the
study of how social, political, and cultural values affect scientific research and technological innovation,
and how these, in turn, affect society. STS scholars are interested in a variety of problems including the
relationships between scientific and technological innovations and society, and the directions and risks
of science and technology. The field of STS is related to history ar:d philosophy of science although
with a much broader emphasis on social aspects of science and technology.
 Science, technology and society refers to the interaction between science and technology and social
cultural, political and economic contexts which shape and are shaped by them; specific examples
throughout human history of scientific and technological developments.

B. Meaning of Science
 Science is a systematized body of knowledge
 Science is an organized and dynamic inquiry (following scientific
method)
 Science is knowledge gained through observation and experimentation .. Science is a human activity;
scientist
 Science is a social enterprise: people, knowledge, skills, facilities, apparatuses and technologies
 Science leads to formation of concepts, methods, principles, theories, law and procedures which seek
to describe and explain nature and its phenomena

C. Meaning of Technology
• Technology as material products; results of scientific inquiry; hardware produced by a scientist
• Technology as the application of knowledge in solving scientific and practical problems that will help humans to
survive and improve his life
• Technology as human cultural activities or endeavors
• Technology as a social enterprise – Technology is a complex system of
knowledge, skills, people, methods, tools, materials and resources applied and
allocated to the development, operation and production of a new or improved
product, process or services.
• Technology as modern technology based on the advances of science since the end of WWII to the present.
 D. Some of the notable human successes in the field of science and technology
Humans are ingenious species. Humans (Homo sapiens) have dreamed up and created some amazing and
far-out things. From the moment someone bashed a rock on the ground to make the first sharp-edged tool, to the
debut of the wheel to the ind out as development of Mars rovers and the Internet, several key advancements stand on
particularly revolutionary. Here are some of most important inventions of all time along with the science behind the
invention and how they came about.
The wheel - the concept of inventing the wheel came during 3500 B.C. Humans we severely limited in how
much stuff they could transport over land, and how far. The idea came to connect a non-moving platform to a rolling
cylinder. People then invented the wheel and axle which is the concept of making wheels. The holes at the center of
the wheels and the ends of the fixed axles had to be nearly perfectly round and smooth for the wheels to work.
Wheeled carts facilitated agriculture and commerce by enabling the transportation of goods to and from markets, as
well as easing the burden of peoplei traveling great distances.

The compass - Before, mariners navigate with the star, but that method didn't work during the day or on
cloudy nights. The Chinese invented the first compass sometime between the 9th and 11th century; it was made of
lodestone, a naturally-magnetized iron ore, the attractive properties of which they had been studying for centuries.
Soon after, the technology passed on to the Europeans and Arabs through nautical contact. The compass enabled
mariners to navigate safely far from land, increasing sea trade and contributing to the Age of Discovery.
The printing press - It was Johannes Gutenberg, a German who invented the printing press around 1440.
Though others before him-including inventors in China and Korea-have developed the movable type made from metal,
Gutenberg was the first to have created a mechanized process that transferred the ink (which he made from linseed oil
and soot) from the movable type to paper. Printing presses exponentially increased the speed with which book copies
could be made, and thus led to the rapid and widespread dissemination of knowledge for the first time in history.
The internal combustion engine - In these engines, the combustion of fuel releases a high-temperature gas,
which, as it expands, applies force to a piston, moving it. Thus, combustion engines convert chemical energy into
mechanical work. Decades of engineering by many scientists went into designing the internal combustion engine,
which took its (essentially) modern form in the latter half of the 19th century. The engine steered in the Industrial Age
which enabled the invention of a huge variety of machines, including modern cars and aircraft.
The telephone – Alexander Graham Bell was the first to be awarded a patent for the electric telephone in
1876. Though several inventors did pioneering work on electronic voice transmission, the invention quickly took off,
and revolutionized global business and communication.
Penicillin - In 1928, the Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming noticed a bacteria-filled Petri dish in his
laboratory, the sample had become contaminated with a mold, and everywhere the mold was, the bacteria was dead.
That antibiotic mold turned out to be the fungus Penicillium, and over the next two decades, chemists purified it and
developed the drug Penicillin, which fights a huge number of bacterial infections in humans without harming the
humans themselves. Penicillin was being mass produced and advertised by 1944.
The Internet is the global system of interconnected computer networks used by billions of people worldwide. It
is impossible to credit the invention of the Internet to a single person, as countless people helped develop it. In the
1960s, a team of computer scientists working for the U.S. Defense Department's ARPA (Advanced Research Projects
Agency) built a communications network to connect the computers in the agency, called ARPANET. It used a method
of data transmission called “packet switching”. ARPANET was the predecessor of the Internet that eventually emerged
to become the “information superhighway”
Eco-Friendly Technologies/Advantages: These are sustainable technologies. This technology utilizes
resources from the environment without causing negative effects to it. Some of these are:
• Solar Energy - use of solar panels to provide electricity
• Geothermal energy
• Wind power - wind mills as source of
energy
 E. Disadvantages and Ethical dilemmas of
Science and Technology
1: Threats to human survival - the invention of nuclear weapons in 1945, like the nuclear bombing of Nagasaki and
Hiroshima that caused deaths of many people. This was a product of chemical and biological warfare (bio-warfare);
toxic wastes produced by manufacturing companies that threaten human survival and stability of the environment.
2. Ethical dilemmas - exploitation of advanced scientific knowledge and technological devices and systems gave
rise to situations in which advances seem to have turned against their beneficiaries, creating ethical dilemmas.

The negative effects of led the natural

Cience
porary society countries who
technology are numerous. In our march to progress we have degraded the na world. Forests are chopped
down, topsoil is washed away, rivers are polluted
our waste is dumped in the oceans. 3. Disparities in Human well being - there are advanced countries enjoying
scie
and technology based successes and hold high esteem in contemporary s (Economic strength), versus
millions of people in less developed countries
have not partaken in these benefits. 4. Social and cultural conflicts - Military power is vital for national security of m
governments; Superior and highly technical weapons dictated the outcome
some recent wars. 5. Innovating technologies can have negative consequences for certain sectors
constituencies:
include pollution associated with production processes, → increased unemployment from labor-
saving new technologies,
conversion of agricultural land into urban areas,
► effect on humans psychologically and emotionally – the usage and addiction
of new gadgets,
► effect of overused technologies in medical industry that can cause fatal births
and diseases.
► global warming

DO YOU KNOW?

In the Philippines, people turn to science and technology for warning advice and assistance during calamities and
disaster: We have some government agencies responsible for giving us advice and information. These are the
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and
Philippines Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
We have built windmills and transit trains that provide us means of source of energy and transport.
LESSON 1

Evidence of Science and Technology

during Pre-Historic Times
 Content Standard: The learners demonstrate an understanding of development of Science and Technology
during Pre-historic times. .

Learning Outcomes: The students will be able to: 1. Describe the development of science and technology
during this time; 2. Determine the significance and impact of the development of science and technology to
the society.

Word Bank: Stone age, Bronze age, Iron age, Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Australopithecus, and
Paranthropus
DISCUSSION

Early humans attempted to understand the unknown world, they were curious about their nature. They
served and started to record patterns, cycles and repetitions of what was happening in their environment and started to
k for an answer. With their experience they were able to analyze and organize information and learned which led to the
derstanding of science.

Because early humans were able to organize and study information, they used the information they
quired in starting the primitive technology thus gave its way to the birth of technology. Therefore technology has come
eality because of the desire of early humans to thrive and survive, which later improved and made their life easier.
. The Dawn of the First Civilizations
Ancient humans were able to discover and invent tools and methods as science developed and
progressed. With the availability of new scientific instruments and techniques, archeology excavation has provided us
with data and evidences. Facts have been unearthed and revealed that even during primitive time, people have
already developed skills and technologies which served and supplied their needs for survival. Mankind existed long
before the written word, there was no historical evidences of how people lived then because written records of any
kind dated only in about 5,000 BC. People then discovered, learned and developed science and technology as the
consequence of their search for food, and other survival needs, for practical reasons and even curiosity.
• Discovery of mud plaster that led to pottery and mud brick houses; first known
pottery was in Japan around 10,000 B.C. B. Evidence of Science and Technology during Pre-
istoric Times (3000-5000 B.C.)
Man's achievements in science can be categorized as: (a) discovery (recognition and observation of new
objects); (b) invention (mental process wherein man's various discoveries, observation and experience are put
together to produce new ways (operation) and means (tools) of obtaining things (usefui). Stone Age: This period was
marked by which stone was widely used to make tools and implements. Dated roughly 3.4 million years ago, and in
about 8000 BC this era was divided into three separate periods-Paleolithic Period (Early), Mesolithic Period (Middle),
and Neolithic Period (New)—based on the degree of sophistication in the fashioning and use of tools. It is believed
tool making began very early in the olden times. The era of Australopithecus and Paranthropus were
contemporaneous with the evolution of the genus Homo. Man was a food gatherer, depended for his subsistence on
hunting wild animals and birds, fishing, and collecting wild fruits, nuts, and berries.
Tools developed gradually from single to all-purpose tools to a collection of varied and highly specialized
types of tools, each designed to serve in connection with a specific function. The trend was from a stage of non
specialization to stages of relatively high degrees of specialization. In the manufacture of stone implements,

13
s: (1) pebble. raditions; and
four fundamental traditions were developed by the Paleolithic ancestors: (1) tool traditions; (2) bifacial-tool, or
 hand-axe traditions; (3) flake-tool tradition (4) blade-tool traditions.
Stone tools were made from a variety of stones: flint and chert were shar chipped for use as cutting tools,
flakes, blades and weapons; Flaking was able to or a wide range of special tools that was used for cutting,
chopping, scraping and sa Basalt and sandstone were used for ground stone tools. Wood, bone, shell, antler other
materials were widely used, as well.
were shaped or able to produce
and sawing.
ler and

The Early Stone Age includes the most basic stone toolkits made by early humana The oldest stone tools,
known as the Oldowan toolkit, consist of hammer stones that show battering on their surfaces; stone cores that show
a series of flake scars along on or more edges; and sharp stone flakes that were struck from the cores and offer useful
cutting edges. Handaxes are cutting tools as well as other kinds of 'large cutting tools are characteristic of an
Acheulean toolkit.
During middle Paleolithic time, the pace of innovation in stone technology began to accelerate. Handaxes were
made with exquisite craftsmanship, and eventually gave way to smaller, more diverse toolkits, with an emphasis on flake
tools rather than larger core tools. One of the main innovations was the application of prepared core technique, in which
a core was carefully flaked on one side so that a flake of predetermined size and shape could be produced in a single
blow. This technique probably raised the level of standardization and predictability in stone technology.
Middle Stone Age toolkits included points, which could be hafted on the shafts to make spears. When smalle
points were eventually made, they were attached to smaller, sleeker shafts to make darts, arrows, and other projectil
weapons. Stone awls have been used to perforate hides and scrapers. Many important inventions appeared, such a
needles and thread, skin clothing, the harpoon, the spear thrower, and special fishing equipment.

Sample of Stone Age tools

The Neolithic was characterized primarily by herding societies, as well as bro smelting, adoption of agriculture,
the shift from food gathering to food product development of pottery using sediments and clay. Agriculture was
developed certain animals were raised as well. Moreover, recent evidence indicates that hus processed and
consumed wild cereal grains.
veloped and
Bronze Age: The Bronze Age is the second principal period of the three-age Stone Bronze-Iron system and generally
followed the Neolithic period. This period is marked with the beginning of mining and metallurgy. Bronze denotes the first
period in which metal was used, man began smelting copper and alloying with tin or arsenic to make bronze tools and
weapons. Copper-tin ores are rare, as reflected in the fact that there were no tin bronzes in Western Asia before trading in
bronze that began in the third millennium BC. Bronze itself is harder and more durable than other metals available at the
time, allowing Bronze Age civilizations to gain technological advantage.
• Man-made tin bronze technology required set production techniques. Tin must
 be mined and smelted separately, then added to molten copper to make bronze alloy. The Bronze Age was a time of
extensive use of metals and of developing trade networks.

Sample of Bronze tools

Iron Age is the period of time in prehistory when the dominant tool making material was iron. Preceded by the Stone Age
and Bronze Age, the transition from Bronze Age occurred at different times in different places on Earth. As the name
suggests, Iron age Technology is characterized by the production of tools and weaponry using ferrous metallurgy or iron
work more specially from carbon steel. Meteoric iron has been used by humans since 3200 BC, but ancient iron production
did not become widespread until the ability to smelt iron ore, remove impurities and regulate the amount of carbon in the
alloy were developed.

The distinctive dark metal brought with it significant changes to daily life in ancient society, from the way
people grew crops to the way they fought wars. Iron made life a lot easier in those days, much of Europe had settled into
small village life, toiling the soil with Iron farming tools, such as sickles and plough tips, made the process more efficient
and allowed farmers to exploit tougher soils, try new crops and have more time for other activities.
Bronze Age: The Bronze Age is the second principal period of the three-age Stone Bronze-Iron system and
generally followed the Neolithic period. This period is marked with the beginning of mining and metallurgy. Bronze
denotes the first period in which metal was used, man began smelting copper and alloying with tin or arsenic to make
bronze tools and weapons. Copper-tin ores are rare, as reflected in the fact that there were no tin bronzes in Western
Asia before trading in bronze that began in the third millennium BC. Bronze itself is harder and more durable than other
metals available at the time, allowing Bronze Age civilizations to gain technological advantage.
• Man-made tin bronze technology required set production techniques. Tin must
be mined and smelted separately, then added to molten copper to make bronze alloy. The Bronze Age was a time
of extensive use of metals and of developing trade networks.
 Sample of Bronze tools

Iron Age is the period of time in prehistory when the dominant tool making material was iron. Preceded by the
Stone Age and Bronze Age, the transition from Bronze Age occurred at different times in different places on Earth. As the
name suggests, Iron age Technology is characterized by the production of tools and weaponry using ferrous metallurgy or
iron work more specially from carbon steel. Meteoric iron has been used by humans since 3200 BC, but ancient iron
production did not become widespread until the ability to smelt iron ore, remove impurities and regulate the amount of
carbon in the alloy were developed.
The distinctive dark metal brought with it significant changes to daily life in ancient society, from the way
people grew crops to the way they fought wars. Iron made life a lot easier in those days, much of Europe had settled into
small village life, toiling the soil with Iron farming tools, such as sickles and plough tips, made the process more efficient
and allowed farmers to exploit tougher soils, try new crops and have more time for other activities.
DO YOU KNOW?

Fire was the most important discovery and invention of man in the Paleolithic era. The use of fire led to various
ways of preparing and cooking food and inventions of suitable food containers and utensils.
LESSON 2 Evidences of Science and Technology
during Ancient Times (3500 B.C.- 1200 in the Old World)

Content Standard: The learners demonstrate an understanding of the development of Science and Technology
during Ancient times.

Learning Outcomes:
The students will be able to:
1. Describe the development of Science and technology during ancient times; 2. Determine and recognize the
significance of the development of science and technology
during ancient times and its impact to society.

Word Bank: Sumerian, clay tablet, cuneiform, Babylonian, Hammurabi, Egyptian, Hieroglyphics, embalming
DISCUSSION

v), and India. People vernment, language

logy: astronomy
First civilizations emerged independent of one another along fertile river valle... Mesopotamia (Tigris-
Euphrates), Egypt (Nile), China (Huang Ho valley), and India D. of each civilization developed a unique way of life,
religion, form of government, lan and system of writing, arts and crafts, advances of science and technology: astra
agriculture, medicine, mathematics, engineering, and architecture. They grew plan domesticated animals and settled
down in places.
1. Sumerian civilization (Sumer, Mesopotamia (Iraq))
Location: Sumer was the southernmost region of ancient Mesopotamia (mode
på Kuwait). It is cradle of the world's earliest known civilization and was first established in the region in
about 3600 BC. It is also known as the 'the first cities world. It transformed families into tribes that occupied territories
 which soon became cities and later were called the states. Science and Technology Development:
cient Mesopotamia (modern-day

a. Cuneiform is the first writing system, it is a set of word pictures depicted in symbols
made of triangular marks around 3100 BC. Pictograms or drawings representing
actual things, were the basis for cuneiform writing. b. Sumerian clay tablet - contains the Sumerian historical
information and culture.
It began as record keeping for trade and evolved into the use of symbols for writing
down laws and stories. C. The concept of the wheel actually grew out of a mechanical device that the
Sumerians had invented shortly after 3500 B.C.—the potter's wheel, This was a heavy flat disk made of hardened
clay. It was spun horizontally on an axis to allow the potter to form evenly. The Sumerians simply turn this clay-
splattered wheel on its end and hook it to a wagon to make a wheel as a means of practical method for moving
heavy objects from one location to another.

d. Sailboat was also first invented by Ancient Mesopotamia. Five thousand years
ago Mesopotamians started using sailing boats. Since Mesopotamia was situated between two famous rivers,
namely the Euphrates and the Tigris, they needed water transportation for travel and trade.
e. The Sumerians were among the first astronomers, mapping the movement of
stars, planets and moon into sets of constellations, many of which survived in the
zodiac and were also recognized by the ancient Greeks. f. Sumerians were also recognized for building the
foundations of logic, mathematics,
engineering, architecture, agriculture, transportation and medicine; g. Sexagesimal system of counting in
units of 60 which served as the basis of 360
degree circle and the 60 minute hour h. Developed systematized technique of farming: seed
plow and irrigation
i. Wool from sheep made into textiles, mastered the arts of bleaching and dyeing II. Babylonian
Civilization
Location: Babylonia was the ancient region bordering the Tigris and Euphrates river (Iraq). Babylon is the capital,
and served as commercial and religious center in the Tigris-Euphrates valley. Science and Technology
Development:
a. Hammurabi (1792-1750 B.C.), the first leader of the old Babylonian Empire,
 promulgated the famous law code that served as rule and standards which helped maintain a period of
stability in this region, as well as the establishment of science
and technology. b. Nebuchadnezzar II was the Neo Babylonian Emperor who ordered the construc
tion of the famous “hanging Gardens of Babylons” (one of the seven wonders of the
world) and the Isthar Gate. C. Contributed to the development of science and technology such as: irrigation
system of canals flanked by earthen dikes; system of book keeping, double entry
accounting, multiplication and division tables and calculations using geometry. d. Adopted the Sumerian
sexagesimal system of counting in units of 60; made accurate
predictions of solar and lunar eclipses and other astronomical phenomena. III. Egyptian
Civilization
Location: Situated in the northeastern part of the African continent, Egypt is located along the Nile River which
provided a fertile delta. Science and Technology Development:
Ancient Egypt depended on the waters of the River Nile, which flows through harsh and arid desert. The
Nile river gave life to the civilization of Egypt. The early settlers were animal hunters, they were nomadic. Later
changed their lifestyle to be farmland settlers. Agriculture was supported mainly by extensive irrigation system.
Ancient Egyptians learned to heat metal ore (copper, gold and bronze) and made weapons and utensils.
They may have been the first people to learn how to make glass (glass-blowing). They learned how to heat sand
in very hot furnace and then blow the molten sand into glass. They made glass jars and glass beads.
Egyptian writing wrote with ink and brushes on paper made of papyrus reeds; their writing was in the
form of pictorial symbols known as hieroglyphics. Their

23
knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, surgery and medical plants enabled them to master the art and
science of embalming their dead.
Created the calendar based on the phases of the moon, consisting of 29 and 1 days. The first 365-day
calendar was devised by IMHOTEP, early in the Old Kingdom They were the first to divide the day into 24 hours,
calculated the time by means of water clock. Their interest in Astronomy was focused on the stars and early
calendar was based on the appearance and disappearance of stars Sirius, the brightest in their horizon which
coincide with the annual rise and fall of the Nile river, help them forecast the seasons and predict the annual
flooding on the Nile river.

They were engaged in Pottery of various shapes and sizes artistically done such as pots, jars, cups and
bowls, they built houses made of sun dried mud bricks. Pyramids still stand today as the monumental evidence of
the scientific expertise and technical skills of the ancient Egyptians in geometry, engineering, architecture and
labor management. Iconic monuments such as the Giza Necropolis and its Great Sphinx, as well as the Ruins of
Memphis, and the Valley of the Kings, reflect this legacy and remain a significant focus of archaeological study.
The Giza Necropolis is the oldest of the ancient wonders and the only one still in existence.
The Egyptians also engaged in ship building; Construction of canals, dikes and ditches with outlet system;
Planted wheat, barley. Food was broiled, baked, stewed, fried, grilled or roasted. They bred ducks, geese, pigs,
goats, cattle and sheep; Manufactured soaps, creams, oils, perfumes and eye make up.
 Pyramid
papyrus

IV. Cretan (Minoan) Civilization

Location: arose on the island of Crete and other Aegean islands such as Santorini and flourished from
approximately 2600 to 1400 BC. It was rediscovered at the beginning of the 20th century through the work of
British archaeologist Arthur Evans. Will Durant referred to it as “the first link in the European chain? Minoan
civilization was an Aegean Bronze Age civilization, ruled by King Minos. Knossos was the capital of Crete, the
grandest site of Bronze age palaces, built between 2100 and 1575 B.C. Crete is a mountainous island with natural
harbors located midway between Turkey, Egypt and Greece.

Science and Technology Development:

The Minoans were primarily a mercantile people engaged in overseas trade. Their culture, from 1700 BC
onward, shows a high degree of organization. Many historians and archaeologists believe that the Minoans were involved in
the Bronze Age's important tin trade: tin, alloyed with copper apparently was from Cyprus. Crete became the central exporter
of wine, oil, jewelry, and highly crafted works; in turn, they became importers of raw materials and food. In the process they
built the first major navy ship in the world. Its primary purpose, however, was trade, not war or conquest.
..Minoans made sophisticated carved statues, ceramics, frescoes, jewels, and inscriptions on these showed their
knowledge of mathematics, engineering, and architecture which were applied scientifically and artistically. They constructed
well drainage system, public halls, courtyards, and religious shrines. They were skilled in ship building.
The Minoan cities were connected with stone-paved roads, formed from blocks cut with bronze saws. Streets
were with good drainage and water and sewer facilities were available to the upper class, through clay pipes. Houses built
from sandstone, gypsum, or limestone often had flat tiled roofs; plaster, wood, or flagstone floors, that stood two to three
storeys high. Typically the lower walls were constructed of stone and rubble, and the upper walls of mudbrick. Ceiling
timbers held up the roofs.
The Minoans raised cattle, sheep and goats and grew wheat, barley, lettuce, celery, asparagus, carrots, peas,
grapes, pears, figs, olives and poppies for poppy seed and perhaps opium. The Minoans also domesticated bees.
They developed Mediterranean polyculture, the practice of growing more than one crop at a time. Their more
varied and healthy diet resulted in the growth of population. Theoretically this method of farming would maintain the fertility
of the soil, as well as offer protection against low yields in any single crop.
Around 1600, B.C., Akrotiri was shaken by a violent earthquake. Sometime later, an eruption occurred. The
Theran eruption was one of largest in human history-blasting more than 10 million tons of ash, gas, and rock 25 miles into
the atmosphere. Incredibly, despite Crete's close proximity to the volcano, the debris from Thera largely missed the major
Minoan towns. 50 years later the civilization was wiped out. Earthquakes and fires destroyed Knossos and the other palaces
and the towns were deserted.

DO YOU KNOW?

1.
F
1010
Clay tablets were used as a writing medium, especially for writing in
cuneiform. Cuneiform characters were imprinted on a wet clay tablet with a stylus
 often made of reed pen. The Sumerians used a wooden stylus to place simple
shapes and lines into moist clay, which were then baked until hard. This form of
writing became known as cuneiform because of the wedge-shaped markings made
in the clay. The Sumerians had enormous libraries of clay tablets containing their
laws, business transactions, and literature.

Obelisk is a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument which ends in

a pyramid-like shape at the top. These were originally called "tekhenu” by the
builders of the Ancient Egyptians.

Sundial or shadow clock was used by the Egyptian about 1000-1500 BC.
This instrument will tell time by means of the shadow casted by the object as
reflected by the sun. The gnomon is the shadow-producing device, usually a metal
plate set parallel to the earth's axis and pointing toward the celestial pole.
LESSON 3

The Contribution of Greek, Persian and Romans in the Development of Science and Technology

Content Standard: The learners demonstrate an understanding of the contribution of the Greek, Persians and
Romans to the development of Science and Technology.

Learning Outcomes: The students will be able to: 1. Describe the development of Science and Technology that
occurred in Greece, Persia,
and Rome; Explicate and recognize the significance of the contribution of Greeks, Persians, and Romans to
the development of Science and Technology.

ord Bank: reek philosophers, scala naturae, Almagest, Pythagorean Theorem, Nas’taliq", skepticism, rsian
rugs
DISCUSSION

of Europe,
1. The Classical Greek Philosophers (400B.C.-400 A.D.)
Location: Greece is a country in Southern Europe located at the crossroads of Euro Asia, and Africa. Its mainland is
located at the southernmost tip of the Balkan Peninsu
in Peninsula.
Ас

Science and Technology Development:

e arcopment of Here are some of t
Great Greek Philosophers that helped m science and technology during Ancient times.
 a. Thales of Miletus (638-548 B.C.) developed the theory of matter based upon water b. Socrates (470-399 B.C) emphasi
the study of human nature in relation to society:
established the theory of skepticism c. Empedocles (493-433 B.C.) assumed that there were more than one kind o
matter
and postulated four roots of elements: earth, air, fire and water. d. Hippocrates about 400 B.C. started the science
medicine and is known as the
greatest physician of antiquity and regarded as the father of medicine. He stated that diseases have natural causes a
the body has the power to repair itsell. His name is always associated with Hippocratic Oath, an oath traditionally ta
by newly graduate physicians to observe the ethical standards of their profession,
specifically to seek to preserve life. e. Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) regarded as the father of Biology, undertook a larg
scale
classification of plants and animals. He introduced a method of scientific thinking that still plays a role today. Engross
himself in studying many areas of science like Physics, Astronomy, Meteorology, etc. His “scala naturae” or Great Ch
of Being is one of the first theories in biology. The species form a scale from simple to complex putting animals that l
warm and wet creatures alive as the highest form
but evolution is not possible. f. - Archimedes (287-212 B.C.) - performs experiments which led him to discover the
laws of the lever and the pulley that resulted in the invention of machines which could easily move loads. He calculated
the value of pi, which was a geometrical calculation that helped determine the width, or circumference of a circle. He
excelled in geometry, calculus, theoretical mathematics, hydrostatics and
displacement g. Ptolemy, about 100 A.D. - one of the greatest astronomers who founded the
Geocentric theory (Earth-centered) and wrote the Almagest. h. Democritus – developed atomic theory; elaborated
idea that matter consisted of
atoms. i. Pythagoras (497-581 B.C.) - Mathematician, held that numbers were basic to
matter; the Pythagorean Theorem.
j. Plato dealt with the nature of the universe; ascribed geometric forms composed
of bounding planes to the elements of earth, fire, air and water based upon their
physical properties k. Aristarchus: Both a mathematician and an astronomer, Aristarchus discovered new
theories about the way the planets move in their orbits. Aristarchus thought that even though the earth revolved
around the sun, it also spun on its own axis, or
spin-point, as it followed its orbit around the sun. 1. Hipparchus discovered the length of the month which is
only one second off from
the length that we use today. m. Eratosthenes determined that the circumference of (the distance around) the
earth
was 28,000 miles, which is only three thousand miles more than what we know today. . Theophrastus regarded
as father of plant science, wrote “History of Plants” in which he described the forms, behaviour, morphology, and
properties of some 500 food and medicinal plants. Most outstanding botanist of the early botany. He wrote “Causes
of Plants” in which he described grafting methods, seeds, effect of temperature upon plants, the relations of
weather to soil and the taste and perfumes
of plants. The manuscript also deals with the medicinal uses of plant. II. Persian
Civilization
Location: Persia is the former name of Iran. The Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC,
was the largest empire of the ancient world, stretching from the borders of India and China in the east to large parts of
Greece and Libya in the west. The culture of Persians is one of the oldest in the Middle East. Science and
Technology Development:
Persia has one of the richest art heritages in world history and encompasses many disciplines including
architecture, painting, weaving, pottery, calligraphy, metalworking and stonemasonry. Persian rugs have always been a
vital part of the Persian culture.
a. Nas'taliq is the most beautiful Persian Calligraphy style and also technically the
 most complicated. Even the second popular Persian calligraphy style i.e. “Cursive
Nas'taliq” or “Shekasteh Nas'taliq". b. Pottery – The taste and talent of the Persian people can be seen
through the designs
of their earthen wares, ceramic art objects such as figures, tiles, and tableware made
from clay and other raw materials. ' C. Domes were an important part and constructed on the first large-scale
in Persia,
The outer surfaces of the domes are mostly mosaic faced, which creates a magical
view. d. Various structures such as mosques, mausoleums, bazaars, bridges, and different
palaces have mainly survived from this period. e. A wind tower is a chimney-like structure positioned above the
house to catch the
prevailing wind.

III. Roman Civilization

Location: Rome is the capital of Italy. Roman civilization is characterized by a government headed by emperors and lar
territorial holdings around the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, Africa and Asia. Today it is known as 'the eternal city. L
is the language spoken by Romans. Science and Technology Development:
a. The Romans used water power, and watermills for making cereals milling, sawing
timber and crushing ore. They exploited wood and coal for heating. b. The Romans made great use of aqueducts,
dams, bridges, and amphitheaters. C. The Romans constructed numerous aqueducts to supply water. The city of
Rome
itself was supplied with eleven aqueducts made of limestone that provided the city with over 1 million cubic metres of w
each day, sufficient for 3.5 million people
even in modern-day times. d. Romans dedicated their many resources to the study of astronomy, astrology,
geography, and other sciences. Their contributions were crucial to future
generations and have helped us collect the knowledge we have today. e. Ancient Roman used sundials to tell time
and even created portable versions. They
also used tools for measuring, manual drills, and metal spikes (used as nails). f. Advanced glassblowing technique
brought new technology to Rome in the form
of window glass, hanging glass oil lamps, and other objects made of glass. g. Rome's military benefited from
technological improvements to weapons, shields,
armour, and other items. h. Some of the Notable Roman
Scientists
1. Galen (129-199 AD.) – great physician and surgeon; Galen influenced the
development of various scientific disciplines, including anatomy, physiology,
pathology, pharmacology, and neurology, as well as philosophy and logic. 2. Vitruvius is another writer who
work has provided us with important
knowledge about Ancient Rome. He was also an architect and an engineer,
sometimes referred to as the first architect. 3 Pliny - described almost a thousand species of plants, most of which
were
highly valued for their medicinal uses.
DO YOU KNOW?
 Persian rugs

A Persian carpet or Persian rug is a heavy textile, made for a wide variety of utilitarian and symbolic purpose,
produced in Iran (Persia) either for home use or for sale. Carpet weaving is an essential part of Persian culture.
Persian carpets and rugs of various types are famous for their elaborate colours and artistical design, and are
treasured in museums and private collections all over the world today.

Roman roads

The Romans primarily built concrete roads for their military. Nearly 30 military highways, all made of stone,
exited the great city. They made 372 roads and connected 113 provinces.