Module 1: Chapter 1: Introduction To

Science Technology and Society

Subtopics:
: The Challenge Of science
: The Effects of Science and Technology to the
society
: Face to Face with Science
: Face to Face with technology: Science and
Technology fused together
: Where Science and technology is taking the
society
Introduction:
Many students might question why science, technology, and society ( STS) was made a core subject for
college students. While it seems that it should only be given to science major students, it should not be
neglected that STS has an effect to everyday life of every single person. From the ancient past to the
modern present, the significant contribution and effects of science and technology to the society is traceable.
As Russel ( 2016) said, we are in a middle of a race where we struggle between the advantages and
disadvantages brought about by science.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this module students should be able to;
• Identify the importance of studying science, technology, and society:
• Explain how science and technology relates to a problem, of societal concern and
• Develop a deeper interest in the field of science, technology, and society.

Learning Content:

THE CHALLEGE OF SCIENCE

Great minds in the past have been challenged through science and technology to prove the origin of
the universe, and the position of the earth in the universe.
This becomes evident during the times of scientific revolution in the 16 th to 17th centuries when
Galileo Galilei, Nicolas Copernicus, and other scientist argued on the position of the earth in relation
to the sun. Is the earth the center of the universe with the sun and all other planets revolving around
it?
Or is it earth just one of the other planets revolving around the sun while rotating in its axis? This
does not only challenged the way man views himself when he has to ask himself, “Am I really part
of the center of the universe?

Later on comes the discussion on the origin of man. Is man really a product of natural processes such
evolution, as Charles Darwin said? Or is man miraculously created by a supernatural divine being?
This again challenged man what take in and believe and how he would view himself and others.

Not only does science and technology affected the way man sees himself but also has affected the
way he lives. Different inventions and innovations have come through the years that many of man’s
daily activities have been improved and altered.

Electricity has lighted many homes. Transportation becomes faster with the coming of trains, planes,
and cars. Communication was eased by the invention of telegraph and telephone. Farm tractors made
farming easier and faster not to mention the discoveries of different ways on how to propagate plants
faster.

Many different machines have replaced manual labor. Different diseases which seemed untreatable
and have caused high mortality rate now have treatments. All of which have direct effect in the
economy of any nation.
 THE EFFECTS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TO THE SOCIETY

In 2011 to 2015 , Research and Development as component of project planning of the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) got the highest budget allocation with P1. 433 Billion in 2012 to 3. 802 B
in in 2015 which shows an average of 16. 2 %. The government has given this much budget to the
department because of the significant role research and development in this field plays basically in
industrialization and commercialization that can help improve the economy of the country. However 2021
budget The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said it would only be able to fund 10 percent of
nearly 900 research proposals because of the cuts in its 2021 budget. The DOST’s 2021 research budget has
been slashed by P76 million, and would go down to P2.411 billion from P2.488 billion.

As much as this of great help in the economic growth of any progressing nation, the total effect of S & T in the
life of all men should not be neglected. It is fairly obvious how S& T has improved man’s way of life but it is
also notable how it has caused harm to both the environment and people. Air, water, and land become polluted
which in turn caused man health problems.

Imbalance the ecosystem has also caused other species to be extinct causing changes in the environment and
the climate as well. Men have become more fearless in their pursuit for riches and power because of the
creation of different destructive devices like guns, explosives, and nuclear power. Not only that these
inventions are dangerous in themselves, these have also caused man to be even more dangerous.

Students of this course are invited to be responsible citizens of the country by making themselves aware of
how S & T and experiences the effect of it to understand how it has shaped and shaping the society he is living
in. It would benefit students to see how science is related to society and how technology is related to society.

FACE TO FACE WITH SCIENCE

Some may think that science is very easy to define and might say that it is just as it is. But philosophers are
said to be in argument about the definition of science for decades already because is has a wide coverage of
human dealings.
Science can be taken as the investigation of the physical world in which experiment are rendered in order to
explain matters of concern. Merriam Webster Dictionary defines science as knowledge involving general
truths and General laws that’s is taken from systematic study wich is concerned with evidences and
theories. So, how can science be defined?
Science is an idea – It includes ideas, theories, and all available systematic explanations and observations
about the natural and physical world.
Science as an intellectual activity – It encompasses a systematic and practical study of the natural and
physical world. This process of study involves systematic observation and experimentation.
Science as a body of knowledge – It is a subject or discipline, a field of study, or a body of knowledge that
deals with the process of learning about the natural and physical world.
Science as a personal and social activity – this explains that science is both knowledge and activities done
by human beings to develop better understanding of the world around them.
Goes through Experiment
 Science subject any matter of study to experimentation. Something has to be tested and should arrive at a
number of consistent observation. Something has to be tested and should arrive at a number of consistent
observations so it could be taken as true.
Relies on Evidence
As science requires experimentation and observation, For something to be really regarded as science, it
should be tested not only by one group as that can be taken as a bias. Evidences that are relevant to the
matter being studied are what scientist is looking for to confirm something to be of science.
Passes through the Scientific Community
Science requires a number of consistent evidences for not be biased, it has go through different groups or
people who would qualify the idea. In finding different evidences, a scientist would likely check on different
angles. Concerning the matter of study and would therefore work with people of different expertise (
understanding Science, n.d)
It was said that science is continues in that it is always trying to understand and explain the natural world.
The way that it is being understood may change overtime as the society also changes. Scientific
experimentations and processes may vary as changes with the concern in the society take place, as
communication and technology advances, and as further discoveries and understanding are achieved by
science.
FACE TO FACE WITH TECHNOLOGY
The word technology seem to have come naturally that one may think that its definition is given already .
Most people will relate technology with machines and tools that could make any work faster and easier. And
that is why technology is commonly defined as a means to an end human activity.
In the book The Nature OF Technology: what it is and how it evolves W. Brian Arthur ( 2009) defined
technology in three ways.
First: Technology is a “ means to fulfil a human purpose” ( to serve human)
Second: Technology is an “ Assemblage of Practices and Components”
Third: Technology is a collection of devices and engineering practices available to a culture”
(Arthur. 2009, p. 28) Martin Heidegger has rightly summarized it as the instrumental and
anthropological definition of technology.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FUSED TOGETHER
Science and technology is almost impossible to be separated from one another. It is actually hard to
distinguish “ where science leaves off and technology begins” ( Rhodes, 1999). Science aim to explain tha
natural and physical world and as it does, it gives way for technology to address whatever science has
discovered.
Machines, computers, and tools are technologies that are brought about by science. medicines, plastic
bottles, tools and techniques used to cure diseases in the hospitals are also technologies that started from the
discovery of science.
Science and technology work hand in hand, the technologies that started from science and are now available
to man also lead to new understanding of the natural world that would then again lead to further innovations.
WHERE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IS TAKING THE SOCIETY?
Man has benefitted much from the advances made with land, water, air, and animals. Machines and tools
have made living so much easier. Communication and transportation, infrastructures, and agriculture have
become more convenient.
But science and technology in itself would not exist without the society. It is the society that allows for the
discoveries and inventions to take place. It is the society that decides how science and technology inorder to
continue on.
National Progress relies so much on science and technology in the area of industry, health care, national
security, and environmental protection.
As much as science and technology is taking the society towards progress and development, The risk and
dangers that come with it should not be taken lightly and accepted blindly.
Everyone should have keen eyes and observe closely where science and technology is taking the society.

What have I learned so Far?

1. How is science and technology connected to society?
2. What factors affect science and technology in a society?
3. As a student of STS, how can you be guardian of the society? Cite Concrete examples.

Learning References
• Science, Technology, and Society ( REX textbook)
• Science , Technology and Society (MaxCor Publishing house)
• [Link]
• [Link]