Lesson 1.

1: Connectivity of Science, Technology, and Society

Lesson Summary
In this lesson, you will recall the definition as well as the differentiation of science, technology,
and society. The relevance of science, then, now and in the future, will be presented as you relate
this to your field of specialization, as indicated by your course.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the learner will be able to:
1. Define science, technology, and society;
2. Establish the connectivity of science, technology, and society, and
3. Cite specific examples wherein a technology became outdated as when replaced by a
state of the art technology.

Motivation Question
Look at your writing material.
Do you agree that it is a product of S&T? Why? Why not?

Discussion
Let us see if you get it right in the questions above. Science is the systematic body of
knowledge. Technology is the practical application of knowledge to facilitate the
accomplishment of things and make life easier. Society is a group of people living together
following certain norms to be in order (Fig. 1). Did you get it right in the pretest above?
Science generates knowledge, like an explanation of how things work. These can be
expressed in words that everyone can deal with, or numbers in formula or mathematical
equations that need a certain degree of training for one to comprehend. Remember, mathematics
is the language of science.
This pool of knowledge is often combined to see a tangible product for use to accomplish
tasks, to make life easier. For instance, many algorithms or equations are used to have a
functional cell phone. A layman operates and benefits from this 'necessity' gadget without
knowing neither understanding how the required operating system (OS) or bandwidth was put
together.
 What were the functions of your first cell phone? Probably, call and text functions? Have
you looked at the history of cellphones? Feature of voice call was the primary function of a
cellphone, an analog device in its oldest version. Then came the 'texting' function. Look at your
gadget or observe the capability of the cellphone of your friend. Most probably, it's digital, with a
camera, recorder, built-in GPS. Looking back, what tasks were made easier by using a cellphone?
Calling a friend for a meet-up rather than going to his place and talking to his parents after pacifying
the barking dog? Or simply texting your parents to send the code of the money transfer? Watching
a movie or playing games to pass boredom during the quarantine period? How about you? What
other functions do you think should be added to this electronic device? A cell phone that shields
you from COVID-19? Scientists like computer programmers, applied physicists, data analysts,
virologists, etc. will continue to work to generate equations to bring to reality your novel idea. You,
as a member of the society, express if not demand that science must address your concern.
Innovations, if not new inventions, will emerge, with the ideal goal of improving the quality of life.

Figure 1.1. The connectivity of science, society, and technology

However, despite the noble goal of improving the quality of life, there were instances of
which science and technology were used to destroy life, do you agree? The classic example is
dynamite. Maybe you heard of it as something destructive, like dynamite fishing. However, in the
demolition of huge structures like buildings or massive boulders in construction site, this
manageable explosive property of dynamite is of good use. After WWII, dynamite fishing became
rampant. However, the inventor Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, did not want to be remembered
associated with this destructive invention. He left a massive amount as prize money for works
that benefit society, the Nobel Prize. Again, look at your cell phone. What good can it do? How
about harm?
Have you heard of a tardigrade a.k.a. 'water bear'? Despite its size (0.184 mm long), being
smaller than a grain of salt this animal is dubbed as the 'toughest organism on earth', why?
Characteristics of tardigrades cosmopolitan as these can survive all over the world
• live even in extreme condition

How do they do that?

Can you imagine the applications of these strengths of the tardigrade to a human?