SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
INSTRUCTOR: MRS. CECILIA K.POGONGAN

UNIT 1: NATURE OF SCIENCE,TECHNOLOGY AND

SOCIETY

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Science 100: Science, Technology, and Society.

Curiosity leads to discovery,which helps us understand life more and more.

Discoveries in science and technology in recent years had profound impact on our society.
Scientific knowledge is used to create new technologies often allow scientists to explore nature in
different ways and make new discoveries .The invention of telescope and microscope help science
advance.

Science is never static.It is always discovering,uncovering, and putting together new ideas, new
ways of looking at the natural and man-built environment. With all the fascinating discoveries, it is
important that we understand the scientific principles behind such advancement.

We need science and technology in every sphere of our life like to treat diseases. We are now
able to communicate easier with the use of the internet and cellular phones.Doctors have found ways to
replaced damaged body parts through prostheses and organ transplants.

Life in this day and age is moving at a faster rate because of discoveries in science and
technology.Therefore, it is important that you take the time to learn them.

D life more and more

UNIT 1: NATURE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND
SOCIETY

CECILIA K. POGONGAN
MODULE 1
SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

LESSON LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
A. Comprehend the ideas and principles surrounding science, technology and society;
B. Learn the relationship of science, technology, society and environment;
C. To know what is indigenous science and the indigenous knowledge practiced by indigenous people;
D. Understand the role of man’s mind in the society;
E. Be familiar with the different organizations or agencies supporting science and technology;
F. To learn the limitations of science and technology;
G. Be involved in upholding our society from the advancements of science and technology.

TOPICS:

1. Relationship of science, technology, society and environment

2. Nature of society
3. The status of science and technology in the Philippines
4. Indigenous science and practices
5. Organizations or agencies supporting science and technology

TOPIC PRESENTATION:

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

- Refers to the study of science and technology in society. That is the study of the ways in w/c
technical and social phenomena interact and influence each other.
- Refers to studies of phenomena such as the general natures and relationships of science and
technology; the social structure and reward systems of the professions of science and engineering
and social aspect of everyday scientific and technological activity.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
- Are dynamic processes engaged in by man to satisfy two basic needs - the first for knowledge and
the material requirements for human survival and prosperity.
- They have been around even before the words biology, physics, chemistry, engineering, and
agriculture were coined.
SCIENCE
- Is the description, understanding, and prediction of physical phenomena through the use and
generation of verifiable theories, laws, and principles. Research and development are usual
activities associated with science as a process. Research and development involve the acquisition
of new knowledge and the utilization of such knowledge to devise new or improved products and
processes

TECHNOLOGY
- Is the use of scientific knowledge and/or empirical knowhow for the production, improvement,
and distribution of goods and services, as well as the satisfaction of other material needs.
- A broad concept that deals with a species’ usage and knowledge of tools and crafts, and how it
affects a species’ ability to control and adapt to its environment.
- In human society, it is a consequences of science and engineering although several technological
advances predate the two concepts.
SOCIETY

CECILIA K. POGONGAN
SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

- As an organized group of individuals who work together because of common interests,

beliefs, or practices in order to achieve a common goal.
- It embodies a common system or condition in which such groups live together.
- The functional unit of society is the individual or man. Man, as the “thinking mind”, is
basically responsible for the intellectual concerns of the society. Man is free from physical
danger and from elements of nature for as long or as he employs the ideas of others to
generates his own ideas.
- Concerned with any area where the individual benefits from the knowledge of science and
technology.

ENVIRONMENT
- The complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors that act upon an organism or an
ecological community and ultimately determine its form and survival
- The aggregate of social and cultural conditions that influence the life of an individual or
community

THE NATURE OF SOCIETY

THE ROLE OF MAN’S MIND IN SOCIETY

Man is described as a physically vulnerable entity because his survival depends on how he makes
practical use of his mind. However, he lives and co-exists with his fellow individual through merging of
their lives.

Man is free from physical danger and from elements of nature for as long as he employs the ideas
of others or generates his own ideas. The logical extension of this concept is that although man lives with
other men, he is a self-contained and self-sustaining entity. To claim that man is absolute, an end to
himself and not a means to anything or anyone else is the only logical extension possible to the fact that
man’s ultimate function is the function of his mind.

Society is concerned with any area where the individual benefits from the knowledge of science
and technology. The impact of science and technology to society somehow provides better insights and
understanding on the process of life, the human place in nature and environmental issues facing us today.

From the perspective, the meaning of society becomes clear. Man lives with other men as long as
they are willing to trade with him, not take from him, the products of his mind. As a result, everyone
stands to gain enormously. Man has access to wealth of ideas instigated by men who lived before him and
his access to this legitimate forms of interaction open to man in society. This can be uniting factor which
can eradicate conflict between the individual and the group of men with whom he lives - society.

What is the Current State of the STS Field?

The field of STS courses and programs appeared on the academic horizon in the late 1960’s. A
small number of undergraduate STS departments and programs exist some of which confers their own
degrees.
Can Philippine Science Evolve and Progress?
“ The Filipino has his own unique technological potential that, when given support and the right
environment with the corresponding atmosphere of freedom, he or she can produce inventive ideas,
products, and processes in an exceptional manner on a par with international standards. Think of the
fluorescent lamp, videophone, the moon buggy, pontoon bridge, floating power tiller, mighty mite, the
sing along system, and a super lubricant used by American motorist and aircraft makers. These are just a
sampling of the many creations attributed to Filipino ingenuity”
Republic Act No. 7459, the inventors and inventions Incentive Act of the Philippines, ”declares
as a national policy the giving of priority to scientific inventions and its utilization on the country’s
productive system and national life”( DOST Publication, 1998).
INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEM
- Is embedded in the daily life experience of young children as they grow up

CECILIA K. POGONGAN
SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

- Their parents and older folks served as their first teachers and their methods of teaching are
very effective in transmitting cultural knowledge in their minds
- Their lessons they learned are intimately interwoven with their culture and the environment

Indigenous
- Produced, living, or existing naturally in a particular region or environment
- Innate, inborn, native, endemic

INDIGENOUS SCIENCE
- Is part of the indigenous knowledge system practiced by different groups of people and early
civilizations
- It includes complex arrays of knowledge, expertise, practices, and representations that guide
human societies in their enumerable interactions with the natural milieu: agriculture,
medicine, naming and explaining natural phenomena, and strategies for coping with changing
environments ( Pawilen,2005 )
- Ogawa ( 1995) claimed that it is collectively lived in and experienced by the people of a
given culture.
- Pawilen (2006) develop a simple framework for understanding indigenous science that
indigenous science is composed of traditional knowledge that uses science process skills and
guided by community values and culture
1. Indigenous science uses science process skills such as observing, comparing,
classifying, measuring, problem solving, inferring, communicating and predicting.
2. It is guided by culture and community values such as the following:
a. The land is a source of life. It is a precious gift from the creator
b. The Earth is revered as “Mother Earth”. It is the origin of their identity as
people.
c. All living and nonliving things are interconnected and interdependent with
each other.
d. Human beings are stewards or trustee of the land and other natural resources.
They have a responsibility to preserve it.
e. Nature is a friend to human beings. It needs respect and proper care.
3. Indigenous science is composed of traditional knowledge practiced by people and
valued by people and communities such as ethno-biology, ethno-medicine,
indigenous farming methods and folk astronomy
- It is important in the development of science and technology in the Philippines
- Like the ancient civilization, indigenous science gave birth to the development of science
and technology as a field of discipline and it helped the people in understanding the natural
environment and in coping with everyday life

- UNESCO’s declaration on Science and the use of scientific knowledge (1999) recognized
science as a historical and valuable contribution to science and technology.
- Pawilen ( 2005) explained that indigenous science knowledge has developed diverse
structures and contents through the interplay between the society and environment
- According to Kuhn (1962 ), developmental stages of most science are characterized by
continual competition between a number of distinct views of nature, each derived from, and
all roughly compatible with the dictates of scientific observation and method.
- Sibisi ( 2004) also pointed out that indigenous science provides the basic of astronomy,
pharmacology, food technology, or metallurgy, which were derived from traditional
knowledge and practices.

Indigenous beliefs
- develop desirable values that are relevant or consistent to scientific attitudes as identified by
Johnston (2000, namely:
1. Motivating attitudes
2. Cooperating attitudes
3. Practical attitudes
4. Reflective attitudes
- These cultural beliefs therefore can be good foundation for developing positive values toward
learning and doing science and in bringing science in a personal level

Some examples of indigenous knowledge that are taught and practiced by the indigenous people

CECILIA K. POGONGAN
SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

1. predicting weather conditions and seasons using knowledge in observing animal behavior and
celestial bodies
2. using herbal medicine
3. preserving foods
4. classifying plants and animals into families, and groups based on cultural properties
5. preserving and selecting good seeds for planting
6. using indigenous technology in daily lives
7. building local irrigation systems
8. classifying different types of soil for planting based on cultural properties
9. producing wines and juices from tropical fruits and vegetables in the yard

Indigenous science is important in the development of science and technology in the Philippines. Like the
ancient civilizations, indigenous science gave birth to the development of science and technology as a
field and as discipline. Indigenous science helped the people in understanding the natural environment
and in coping with everyday life. UNESCO’s declaration on Science and the use of scientific knowledge
(1999) recognized science as a historical and valuable contribution to science and technology.

ORGANIZATIONS/AGENCIES SUPPORTING SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY

I. THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DOST)

The Department of Science and Technology is mandated to provide central direction of all
science and technology activities throughout the country and formulate science and technology policies,
programs, and projects in support of national development priorities.

II. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (NAST)

The National Academy of Science and Technology was created in 1976 through Presidential
Decree 1003-A to recognize outstanding achievements in science and technology and to serve as a
reservoir of competent scientific and technological manpower for the country.

In 1982, through Executive Order 818, the Academy was also formally conferred with the
function of advisory body to the President of the Republic of the Philippines and the Cabinet on policies
concerning science and technology in the country.

III. TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION AND PROMOTION INSTITUTE (TAPI )

The Technology Application and Promotion Institute was created by virtue of Executive Order
No. 128 which recognized the National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA) into the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST) on January 1987.
As one of the DOST’s service agencies, TAPI’s major thrust is to promote the transfer and
commercialization of technology and market the services of other operating units/agencies of the
Department.

IV. PHILIPPINES SCIENCE HERITAGE CENTER (PSHC)

The Philippines Science Heritage Center is a convergence of the Filipino culture’s most creative,
inventive, and important contributions to science and technology. It showcases national scientists and
their contributions.

The PSHC regards as its Centennial Scientists Dr. Fe del Mundo, who dedicated her life to the
cause of pediatrics in the country and Discoro L. Umali, who improved a variety of food grains, legumes,
fruits, and ornamental plants.

It hailed as national scientists figures like Juan S. Salcedo, whose numerous research studies in
biochemistry, nutrition, and physiology further improved the health of the Filipino people; Carmen C.
Velasquez, whose pioneering research on trematodes described 32 new species and one genus from

CECILIA K. POGONGAN
SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

Philippine foods, birds and mammals; Paulo C. Campos, who did outstanding research on nuclear
medicine, insulin action, red blood cells, and goiter; and many more.

V. INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (ITDI)

Invented Products
1. Etta’s Compact Skin Whitening Powder
2. Etta’s Mixing Solution Skin Whitening Powder
3. Vitasugar Nutrition Sweeteners
4. Canton Royale from Kalabasa
5. Pancit Kalabasa
6. Ready to eat Laing from Taro Leaves in coconut cream

VI. PHILIPPINE COUNCIL OF HEALTH AND RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT (PCHRD)

Hepatitis B Diagnostic Kit

Hepatitis B Diagnostic Kit is an effective and affordable locally made kit distributed by Medtes
headed by the Managing Director Dr. Wency Reyes.

The invention of the kit was in cooperation with the University of the Philippines-Philippine
General Hospital (UP-PGH) Liver Study Group, Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), JICA,
Philippine Council of Health and Research Development (PCHRD) and World Health Organization
(WHO). According to Dr. Michael Marquez, Medical Officer 1 of the Red Cross, the kit is better than the
imported one because there is an additional 15% PPHA cella and there is 0.8 % concentration after
reconstitution. It is also affordable and available in different sizes. The kit is exclusively distributed by
Medtes.

VII. SALINLAHI / PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HERITAGE CENTER (PSHC)

The Philippine Science Heritage Center (PSHC) or Salinlahi (meaning, heirloom of a generation) was
conceptualized and established to serve as a resource center of significant contributions of Filipinos in the
world of science. It fosters the commitment of the science community to bring science and technology
closer to the public and eventually, to promote a strong science and technology culture in the country. It
was inaugurated on December 14, 1998 as the contribution of the National Academy of Science and
Technology (NAST) to the Philippine Centennial Celebration.
Realizing the potential of Salinlahi as an important instrument to promote scientific culture in the
land, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law Republic Act No. 9107, also known as the
Philippines Science Heritage Center Act, on April 14, 2001. The law was published in the Malaya and the
Manila Times on April 25, 2001. The Act affirms the government’s commitment and policy to continually
support and encourage the development of the country’s science and technology program and to promote
the Philippines’ scientific contributions to the world.
R.A. No. 9107 identifies the NAST as the government agency that would manage, operate, and
maintain the Center. It also gives the PSHC the following legal powers and functions.

VIII. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION INSTITUTE (STII)

Executive Order No. 128, signed by then President Corazon C. Aquino on January 30, 1987,
created the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII), STII serves as the information
marketing arm of DOST, and the national depository of science and technology data. It operates through
its four divisions, namely: Communication Technology Division (ITD), Information Resources and
Analysis Division (IRAD), and Finance and Administrative Division (FAD).
In addition, STTI is designated as the administrator and the secretariat of the Science and
Technology Information Network of the Philippines (SCINET-PHIL), a consortium of information and
library centers of the Department of Science and Technology.

IX. THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

CECILIA K. POGONGAN
SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

The Department of Health (DOH) is the principal health agency in the Philippines. It is
responsible for ensuring access to basic public health services to all Filipinos through the provision of
quality health care and regulation of providers of health goods and services.

X. TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS CENTER (TESDA)

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) was established through
the enactment of Republic Act No. 7796, otherwise known as the “Technical Education and Skills
Development Act of 1994”, which was signed into law by President Fidel V. Ramos on August 25, 1994.
This act aims to encourage the full participation of and mobilization of the industry, labor, local
government units, and technical-vocational institutions in the skills development of the country’s human
resources.
Overall, TESDA formulates manpower and skills plans, sets appropriate skills standards and
tests, coordinates and monitors manpower policies and programs and provides policy directions and
guidelines for resources allocation among concerned institutions in both the private and public sector.

XI.THE INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (IRRI)

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an autonomous, nonprofit agricultural

research and training organization with offices in more than 10 nations. The Institute’s main goal is to
find sustainable ways to improve the wellbeing of present and future generations of poor rice farmers and
consumers while at the same time protecting the environment.

Its objective is to generate and disseminate new related knowledge and technology of short and
long term environmental, social, and economic benefits and to help enhance the national rice research
system.

XII. MAKILING BOTANICAL GARDEN (MGB)

The Makiling Botanical Gardens (MBG) is a unit of the Makiling Center for Mountain
Ecosystems (formerly Institute of Forest Conservation), and College of Forestry and Natural Resources. It
was established in 1963 by virtue of Republic Act No. 3523. The MBG is being developed to support
professional instructional and research related to forestry and plant sciences and to serve the needs of
tourism as well as the educational and recreational needs of the general public.

Improvement and development of the botanical gardens started as early as September 1965. The
MBG occupies 300 hectares of forest land which are distributed into three main areas; the Arboretum,
Nursery and recreational areas.
IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Military power
- The outcome of World War II depended primarily on the superior scientific and
technological capabilities of USA and its allies.
- Today those technical capabilities and resources remain vital to the security of many
nations and governments.

2. Economic strength
- Technology played a major role in increasing the country’s productivity ( amount of
output generated per unit of input, where output refers to good and services and input
refers to labor or labor and capital combined).
- Technological change is credited as responsible for almost half of the increase in
productivity achieved in the USA since World War II, a contribution for greater than
those of capital, education, resource allocation, or economics of scale

3. Medical well being

CECILIA K. POGONGAN
SCIENCE 100: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

- Science and Technology have also played an important role in increasing the scope
and efficacy of medical care in this century,
- From advances in diagnosis and surgery to vaccines, therapeutic drugs, prosthetic
devices and rehabilitative apparatus.
- The substantial individual and public health benefits afforded by technical advances
achieved in recent years are widely recognized and highly valued in contemporary
industrial societies.

IMPACTS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Threat to human survival

- It is posed be development and used of their potent products such as nuclear weapon,
products designed for chemical or biological warfare, and products that threaten
sustainability of the ecosystem.

2. Ethical dilemmas
- Refers to the exploitation of advanced scientific knowledge and technological
devices and systems sometime given rise to situation in which these advances seem
to have turned upon their beneficiaries creating ethical and legal dilemmas.
- The ethical conflicts posed by science and technology -based dilemmas requires
careful analysis.

3. Disparities in human being

- S & T have made possible the possession of a cornucopia of some sophisticated
material goods by millions of people of the industrialized countries.
- There is a big gap on the level of material affluence between the less developed and
develop nations.
- The existence of such disparities and the belief that scientific and technological
resources will be required to reduce them provide another reason that these forces
have on growing social importance.

4. Social conflict
- In the last two decades, conflict in the US has swirled around issues such as the
location of recombinant-DNA laboratories in or near residential communities,
landing rights for Concorde Supersonic Transport, the love canal incident, the Karen
Ann Quinlan and others.
- Such struggles have taxed society’s capacity for conflict.

CECILIA K. POGONGAN