Module 1

Science and Technology

Compiled by: Mrs. Teresa B. Rizon-Research 2 Teacher

What this module is about?

The study of science has 4 major divisions, namely biological (living), physical (non-living), Social,
and Applied science (technology). The life sciences include biology, zoology and botany, histology.
The physical sciences branch into areas such as geology, astronomy, chemistry and physics. How
does science help improve our lives? How does it produce the different technologies that are
introduced in society? How do scientists come up with the principles, theories, laws, and
inventions, which are instrumental in providing the comforts of life? Do you want to be clarified on
these questions? Then read and work on the activities presented in this module.

Module 1 includes the following lessons:

 Lesson 1 – Nature of Science and Technology

 Lesson 2 – The Scientists/Technologists: Their Role in Society
 Lesson 3 – The Thinking Scientists: The Scientific Method

What you are expected to learn?

After going through this module, you are expected to:
General Objective:

The students will demonstrate an understanding of Science and Technology

Specific Objectives:

1. discuss the nature of Science and its branches;

2. distinguish between Science and Technology;
3. give some contributions of scientists and technologists;
4. use the scientific method to solve problems;
5. perform the activities systematically, and
6. appreciate the roles science and technology in the modern world.

How to learn from this module?

Below are guidelines for you in going about the module:

1. Read and follow instructions very carefully.

2. Answer the pre-test to determine how much you already know about the lessons in this
module.
3. Read each lesson and do the activities that are provided for you.
4. Perform all the activities diligently to help you understand the topic.
5. Take the self-test after each lesson to determine how much you understand the topic.
6. Answer the posttest to measure how much you have gained from the lessons.

Good luck and have fun!

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 What to do before (Pretest)?

A. Select and write in a separate sheet of paper the letter of the best answer.

1. All of the following are physical sciences except

a. physics c. botany
b. chemistry d. astronomy

2. Which of the statements below is a scientific hypothesis?

a. Seawater is denser than freshwater

b. Physics is the study of matter and energy.
c. Atoms are the smallest particles of matter.
d. Albert Einstein is the greatest physicist of the twentieth century.

3. Which step in the scientific method involves giving a tentative answer to the
problem?

a. interpreting data c. predicting

b. formulating hypothesis d. experimenting

4. Which of the following is a positive impact of technology on society?

a. pollutes the air c. alters nature

b. improves industry d. changes the values of man

5. Suppose you performed an experiment on specific heat of metals but you forgot to
record the initial temperature of the metal. Which of the following ways of action
would you take?

a. Present data that are not based on the experiment.

b. Start over again as soon as you realize your mistake.
c. Copy the data of the other groups who worked on the same activity.
d. Continue with the experiment to see if the mistake makes any difference.

6. Which of the following is the application of science?

a. law c. technology
b. theory d. principle

7. To avoid accidents in performing a laboratory activity, you should

a. ignore the scientific method.

b. follow precautionary measures.
c. talk with your friends as you work.
d. skip the procedures that require the use of breakable materials.

8. All of the following statements describe science EXCEPT one. Which is it?

a. It is a logical way of thinking.

b. It seeks to discover the truth about events.
c. It is a body of knowledge that could not be questioned.
d. It is a search for order in many different areas on nature.

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 Below are the processes of the scientific method. Arrange these steps
chronologically from numbers 9-15.

a. make predictions
b. formulate hypothesis
c. identify and state the problem
d. accept hypothesis or theory conditionally
e. gather observations, facts, and data
f. test predictions by experiments
g. pass all tests / fail all tests completely or partially

9. 12. 15.
10. 13.
11. 14.

B. Classify whether each item represents technology or pure science.

16. improvised Boyle’s Law apparatus

17. improved procedure on determining the relative density of solids
18. the density of water is 1 g/cc
19. devices for measuring length
20. mass is the quantity of matter

Lesson 1 What is Science?

Science (from the Latin scientia, meaning “ knowledge” or knowing) is the effort to discover, and
increase human understanding of how the physical world works “ (From Wikipedia)

“Any system of knowledge that is concerned with the physical world and its phenomena and that
entails unbiased observations and systematic experimentation.” (from Encyclopedia Britannica)

Science (from the Latin word Scientia, meaning "knowledge") is a systematic enterprise that builds
and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.

The earliest roots of science can be traced to Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia around 3500 to
3000 BCE. Their contributions to mathematics, astronomy, and medicine entered and shaped
Greek natural philosophy of classical antiquity, whereby formal attempts were made to provide
explanations of events in the physical world based on natural causes. After the fall of the Western
Roman Empire, knowledge of Greek conceptions of the world deteriorated in Western Europe
during the early centuries (400 to 1000 CE) of the Middle Ages but was preserved in the Muslim
world during the Islamic Golden Age. The recovery and assimilation of Greek works and Islamic
inquiries into Western Europe from the 10th to 13th century revived "natural philosophy", which
was later transformed by the Scientific Revolution that began in the 16th century as new ideas and
discoveries departed from previous Greek conceptions and traditions. The scientific method soon
played a greater role in knowledge creation and it was not until the 19th century that many of the
institutional and professional features of science began to take shape; along with the changing of
"natural philosophy" to "natural science."

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Modern science is typically divided into three major branches that consist of the natural sciences
(e.g., biology, chemistry, and physics), which study nature in the broadest sense; the social
sciences (e.g., economics, psychology, and sociology), which study individuals and societies; and
the formal sciences (e.g., logic, mathematics, and theoretical computer science), which study
abstract concepts. There is disagreement, however, on whether the formal sciences actually
constitute a science as they do not rely on empirical evidence. Disciplines that use existing
scientific knowledge for practical purposes, such as engineering and medicine, are described as
applied sciences.

As mentioned in the early part of this module, physics falls under physical sciences and it is more
than just a body of laws and facts. It deals with motion, forces, energy, heat, sound, light, electricity
and magnetism, and the composition of atoms. Physics is a unique activity of each physicist. It is a
continuing activity that sometimes leads to discovery. It discusses the basic nature of matter and
the various ways by which different forms of matter interact with one another.

Another form of study, which falls under physical science, is chemistry. It is a branch of
science, which deals with how matter is put together, to make up the different things that are
around us. On the other hand, biology is a life science, which deals with living organisms. The
interrelationship between physics and biology has given birth to a new field of study known as
biophysics. Similarly, the interrelationship between biology and chemistry has led to the
emergence of biochemistry. The ideas of physics are basic to these fields of sciences, that is why
physics is considered the most basic science, which simply means that you can understand other
sciences better if you understand physics.

In addition, physics helps us develop the different traits of scientists. The experiments
conducted in physics could provide students not only with the needed skills in operating laboratory
equipment but also with the discipline to work systematically.

Finally, the principles and laws of physics have practical applications in the home,
transportation, industry, in communication, in amusements and many others.

Difference Between Science and Technology

The terms science and technology, are often pronounced in the same breath and used as
synonyms, because they are closely intertwined, that their difference is many a time ignored.
Science is all about acquiring knowledge of the natural phenomenon along with the reasons for
such phenomenon, like Why the sky is blue? Why are leaves green? Why rainfall occurs? What
are the colours of the rainbow? How do plants make their food? And so forth. When this knowledge
is put to practice, to solve human needs or problems, it is termed as technology.

In short, science deals with theories, principles and laws whereas technology is all about products,
processes and designs. In this article excerpt, we are going to discuss all the important differences
between science and technology.

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 Basis for Comparison Science Technology
Meaning Science is a methodical Technology alludes to the
way of gaining knowledge practical application of the
on a particular subject, scientific knowledge for
through observation and various purposes.
experiments.
What is it? It is the process of exploring It is the use of laws of
new knowledge. science to create new
products.
Effect It is useful It can be useful or harmful.

Change Does not changes. Changes continuously

Stresses on Discovery Invention

Deals with Study of structure and Putting those premises into

behavior of natural and practice.
physical world, to create
premises.
Method of evaluation Analysis, deduction and Analysis and synthesis of
theory development design.
Use Used to make predictions Simplify the work and fulfill
the needs of people

What you will do

Activity 1.1

Below are examples of technology that operate on the principles, laws and theories of
science. Identify which of them have practical applications in the following areas: home,
transportation, industry, communication and information technology, and amusement.

Technology Area of Application

Ex. 1. videoke amusement

2. car _______________
3. computer _______________
4. fax machine _______________
5. light-rail transit system (LRT) _______________
6. refrigerator _______________
7. generator _______________
8. TV sets _______________
9. fluorescent lamps _______________
10. air conditioning units _______________

Lesson 2 The Scientists/Technologists: Their Role in Society

Do you want to know who are the people behind the development of technology? What do you
think are the different traits these people exhibit while working on their inventions/discoveries? The
succeeding discussion will give you answers to these queries.

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 1. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) – he studied the behavior of falling bodies and
formulated laws covering the behavior of these objects.
2. Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) – He discovered that the planets move in an
elliptical orbit.The laws of Kepler are used in calculating the flight paths of
today’s space vehicle.
3. Robert Boyle (1627-1691) – He formulated Boyle’s law, which states that at
constant temperature the volume of gas is inversely proportional to pressure.
4. Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) – He formulated the laws of motion and the
universal law of gravitation.
5. Michael Faraday (1791-1867) – His invention was the generator, which
worked on the principle that magnets can be used to produce electric
current.
6. James Maxwell (1831-1870) – He worked on elecctromagnetism and made
important contributions to the development of the kinetic of gases.

7. Wilhelm Roentgen (1845-1923) – he discovered X-rays in 1895. Studies on

radioactivity led to the development of nuclear physics.

8. Henri Becquerel (1851-1908) – he discovered radioactivity in 1896. Just like

Roentgen’s discovery, his study led to the development of nuclear physics.
9. Max Planck (1858-1947) – A German physicist who formulated the quantum
theory, which is the basis of quantum mechanics.
10. Albert Einstein (1879-1955) – He formulated the Theory of relativity and his
famous equation, E = mc2.

Getting to know some of our Filipino scientists.

1. Arturo Alcaraz was responsible for the discovery of geothermal energy in the
country.
2. Melecio Magno worked as an atmospheric physicist.
3. Christopher Bernido provided the rationale for the unification of the four
fundamental interactions of elementary particles.
4. Henry Ramos is famous for his first plasma experimental device, which can
produce gases that can be manipulated for the generation of energy.
5. Linda Posadas researched on the applications of lasers in communications,
medicine, defense, architecture, space , science and entertainment.

Do you want to be these scientists? Do you ever know that the success of science has more to do
with the attitudes common to scientist? What do you think are these traits? These scientific
attitudes are as follows.

 Curiosity A scientist is a curious person. He/She asks questions

as to the causes of some events, which are not yet
known; he/she keeps on reading to find information.

 Open-mindedness A scientist is an open-minded person who considers

suggestions and accepts criticism, shares ideas with
others, and considers several possibilities when
investigating a problem.

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 Questioning Attitude A scientist questions the inconsistencies in statements
and conclusions, and makes decisions after collecting
all-important facts. Also, a scientist challenges the
validity of unsupported statements.

 Respect for Evidence A scientist is one who checks consistency of

observations, considers and evaluates ideas
presented by others, and consults available data
before drawing a conclusion.

 Believing in Cause-and-Effect A scientist believes that for every effect there is a

Relationship corresponding cause and accepts a statement as fact
only if supported by evidence.

 Honesty A scientist reports the data truthfully, gives comments

as situations demand, and acknowledges the work
done by others.

 Humility A scientist shows awareness of one’s shortcomings

and indicates willingness to ask help from someone
who can assist him/her.

 Patience and Determination A scientist carries out investigations in spite of limited

time, keeps working in spite of several failures, and
remains firm even in the face of criticisms.

 Resourcefulness and Creativity A scientist makes optimum use of equipment and

suggests substitutes for material that are not available
in the school or in the community.

 Intellectual Responsibility A scientist performs assigned tasks dutifully, shows

willingness to do extra work if necessary, and accepts
failures if any are made during an investigation

What you will do

Activity 2.1

Match column A with column B.

A. Scientists B. Contributions
1. Sir Isaac Newton a. Invented the lightning rod
2. Albert Einstein b. Law of universal gravitation
3. Michael Faraday c. PV = K
4. Robert Boyle d. E = mc2
5. Galileo Galilei e. Invented the generator
6. Henry Ramos f. Plasma experiment device
7. Linda Posadas g. Thomas Edison of the Philippines
8. Gregorio Zara h. Discovered geothermal energy in the Philippines
9. Benjamin Almeda i. Inventor of aircraft engine
10. Arturo Alcaraz j. Research on applications of laser
k. Studied the behavior of falling bodies

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 What you will do
Self-Test 2.1

Write the letter of the best answer for numbers 1-2.

1. A student demonstrates honesty when he

a. recognizes conclusions as tentative.
b. looks for inconsistencies in statements.
c. reports the data truthfully.
d. challenges the validity of unsupported statements.

2. A person exhibits open-mindedness when he

a. discusses his ideas with others.
b. agrees with the ideas presented by others.
c. evaluates ideas, which do not agree with his/her ideas.
d. asks others to provide evidences to support their arguments.

3-5. Give at least three scientific attitudes and describe each trait.

Lesson 3 Thinking Science: The Scientific Method

We know that some scientific concepts were discovered by accident, which we call
serendipity. However, most of these science ideas are the results of carefully planned
investigation by scientists. Scientists solve scientific problems through a systematic
approach. Below are the processes of the scientific method applied to every scientific
investigations.

Identify and state the problem

Gather observations, facts and data

Formulate hypothesis

Make predictions

Test predictions by Revise hypothesis or

experiments theory

Pass all Fail tests completely

tests or partially

Accept hypothesis or theory

conditionally; set additional tests
and data

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Fig. 3.1 An Outline of the Scientific Method

Several important points should be remembered about the scientific method:

1. Science does not demand that we have no ideas when we engage on the processes of the
scientific method, only that we be ready to change those ideas if the evidence forces us.

2. Scientists can and have started their work by making extensive observations, but they can
also start with a theory and test it. It makes no difference where you enter the cycle
because the scientific process takes you all the way round.

3. Scientific results must be reproducible.

4. The cycle is continuous, it has no end. Science does not provide final answers; nor is it a
search for ultimate truth.

5. Finally, the steps of scientific method shouldn’t be thought of as a kind of rigid cookbook
style set of steps to follow.

To give you a specific situation where the problem is solved scientifically, consider the case
below

The electric fan in your classroom is out of order. You tried investigating why it does not
work. Observations on the wiring, on the chord, the plug and the outlet were done. You formulated
a hypothesis on why it does not function. Series of testing were conducted to prove your
hypothesis. Finally, you were able to find out that the main cause is a defective outlet. In this
situation, you have followed a series of steps in solving the problem. Do you think you have
followed the steps of scientific method?

What you will do

Activity 3.1

Cite a given problem where you can apply the steps of scientific method.

What you will do

Self-Test 3.1

What are the steps of scientific method and describe each step.

Post-test

Write only the letter of the best answer.

1. Which of the following fields of study is a physical science?

a. biology c. zoology
b. botany d. physics

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 2. When you perform an experiment, what is the next step to do after defining a
problem?

a. gather relevant data c. test the hypothesis

b. formulate the hypothesis d. formulate a conclusion

3. Jose saw big crabs crawling on the sand. He wondered where they came from so
he started investigating. What scientific attitude did Jose show?

a. open-mindedness c. curiosity
b. resourcefulness d. patience

4. All of the following are positive effects of technology on society EXCEPT one.
Which is it?

a. improves industry c. gives comfort to man

b. pollutes the environment d. makes work easier

5. Which of the statements below is a scientific hypothesis?

a. Energy is the capacity to do work.

b. Physics deals with matter and energy.
c. The higher the temperature of the substance the faster its molecules move.
d. Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass.

6. Which of the following steps involves giving an educative guess to the problem?

e. making predictions c. stating the problem

f. gathering observations d. formulating hypothesis

Arrange the different processes of the scientific method chronologically from

numbers 7-13.

a. Formulate hypothesis.
b. Make predictions.
c. Accept hypothesis or theory conditionally.
d. Identify and state the problem.
e. Gather observations, facts, and data.
f. Pass all tests / fails completely or partially.
g. Test predictions by experiments.

7. 10. 13.
8. 11.
9. 12.

14. Who formulated the laws of motion?

a. Sir Isaac Newton c. Albert Einstein

b. Robert Boyle d. Benjamin Franklin

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 15. Who was responsible for the discovery of geothermal energy in the country?

a. Melecio S. Magno c. Arturo P. Alcaraz

b. Christopher Bernido d. Henry Ramos

Give 5 scientific attitudes that scientists possesses (16-20):

16. 19.
17. 20.
18.

References

1.Deped Project EASE Physics

2. Science and Technology for Sustainable future, What is science Vipul Shegal, February 22,
2020.

3. TAKS Science Quick Review handbook, Glencoe McGraw-Hill.

4. https://www.en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science

5. https://www.britannica.com/science/science

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