SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY and SOCIETY

by Mr. Jeric Lachica Alfonso

CHAPTER 1. General Concepts and Historical Development

CHAPTER 2. STS and the Human Condition
CHAPTER 3. Specific Issues in STS
CHAPTER 4. Climate Change and Energy Crisis
CHAPTER 5. Environment Awareness
CHAPTER 6. Alternative Energy Resources

CHAPTER 1. General Concepts and Historical Development

1.1. History of Science and Technology in the world
a. Ancient
3 -age System – based on tools developmental stages
1. Stone Age – Weapons mode of stone, wooed, bone/ some other
materials for hunting.
− Neanderthals and Denisovans human species
− Paleolithic Period – old stone age
− Mesolithic Period – middle stone age
− Neolithic Period – new stone age

Paleolithic Mesolithic Neolithic

2.5 MMA To 10,000 – 8,000 8,000-3000
10,000 B.C B.C B.C
Source of Hunter and Hunter and Farming and
Foods gathers gather domesticating
animals
Settlement Nomad Cares Nomad hear Permanent
River settlers
Tools Basic Stone Sharpened Advanced tools
Tools stone tools
Discovery Controlled Fire Agri fishery domestication

2. Bronze Age (3,000 B.C to 1,300 B.C)

− Tools ad weapons were widely made with cooper and
bronze.
− Smelting is a process of extracting.
− Sumerians – by blending copper and tin.
− Rise of states/kingdoms – central government by ruler
− Sumer and Babylonia in Mesopotamia
− Athens in ancient Greece
3. Iron Age 1200 to 600 B.C
− Steel by heating iron with carbon
− Persian, first civilization to develop on armored

4. Antiquity ( 600 BCE to 529 CE)

• Rise of Greek Civilization
• Natural Philosopher – First Scientists

Pre-Socratic Philosophers
• Thales – Natural Law
• Anaxi Mander – Origin and evolution of life
• Anaximenes – air is the primary substance
• Heraclitus – Fire is the primary substance
• Leucippus – first idea of the atom, an indivisible unit of
matter
• Democritus – atoms are solid, indestructible particies that
are separated by empty space.
• Pythagoras – Recognizes that earth is Sphere.
• Pythagoreans – viewed that universe as form and number.
• Hippocrates – recognized as father of Medicine.
• Hippocratic Oath – encourage separation of medicine.
• Socrates – contribute knowledge through dialogues using
Socratic method.
− The golden age of Greek Philosophy
• Plato – coined the term element
− Established the academy
− Used abstract geometry models rather than empirical
observation
• Aristotle – element undergo changes when they combine and
have qualities that based
− Established the Lyceum
− Father of Biology
− Introduced the Inductive method
• Claudius Ptolemy – Earth-centered model (Geozentrism)
− Became the most common Cosmological
view until Middle Ages
• Aristarchus – Original proposed Sun-centered universe
(Heliocentrism)
• Herophilus – Father of Anatomy
• Erasistratus – Founder of Physiology
• Euclid – father of Modern Geometry
 • Archimedes – father of Mathematics

b. Middle Age (476-1450 A.D)

− Also known as Medieval Period
− Europeans History between fall of Roman Empire and Beginning
of Renaissance
− Early/Dark Middle Ages (476-1000 A.D)
− Slow progress of science in Europe
− Improve Islamic Europe
− Agricultural and Transportation – Heavy Plough and Horse
Collar
− Science in China – Gun Powder, Paper, Mechanical Clock
− Compass – magnetized needle placed on a
straw floating on water for reliable
navigation
− Science and Mathematics in India – Zero
− Introduction of decimal
system
− Arab Science – Plolemy Astronomy
− Discovery of Borax
− Science of Anatomy did not progress because
dissection of corpses is not allowed by Islamic
Law
− Firstly, Synthesized Sal-ammoniac

c. High Middle (1000-1450 A.D)

• Rebirth of science in Europe
− St. Thomas Aquinas – Founder of Scholastic
− Crop Rotation – to nutrient replenish
− Water Wheel – power
− Black Death – 2nd Bubonic Plague Pandemic
− Caused by plague bacterium (Yersinia Pestis)
black rats

d. Modern (1453-1659 A.D)

• Renaissance (Rebirth)
− Scientific Method – popularized by Francis Bacon
− Printing Press – Johannes Gutenberg (movable Type
Printing)
− Bible – World’s most Printed Book
− Leonardo Da Vinci – Futuristic Genius
• Scientific Revolution
− Copernicus
− Heliocentric Theory
− Galileo Galilee – Dialogue on 2 new Sciences
− Copernicus system using his own telescope
and observation
− Johannes Kepler – law of Planetary Motion
− Planet’s orbit as elliptical
− Speed
− Time
− Tycho Brahe – 1572 Supernova and published 777 stars
− Distance of 1577 comet from earth using
parallax
− Geo-heliocentric – Sun and Moon revolved
− John Ray – First to use species
− Carolus Linnaeus – father of Modern taxonomy
− Modern system of classification of diving
organism
− Binomial System of Nomenclature
− Andreas Vesalius – father of modern Anatomy
− De Humani Corporis Fabrica (Structure
of the Human Body)
− William Harvey – Circulation of Blood
− Isaac Newton – Law of Motion and universal gravitation
− Nature of white light
− Introduced calculus together with Gottfried
Wilhelm Leibniz

• Enlightenment (1735-1819)
− Charles Darwin – Father of Evolution
− Natural selection – Nature
− Published Origin of species
− Sigmund Freud – Founder of Psychoanalysis
− Psychosexual stage of Development
− Structure model of Ego Psychology (Id,
Ego, Superego)
1.2. Science and Technology in the Philippines
a. Pre-Colonial Period
− Metal ages – significant influence in the lives of early Filipinos
− Interpret movements

b. Spanish Colonial Period

− Beginning of formal science and technology
− Established School for Boys and Girls
− Medicine and Pharmacy – UST
− Manila Observatory – Founded by Jesuits to promote
Meteorological Style
− Primary Agricultural exporting Aconomy

c. American Period and Post – Commonwealth Era

− Public Educational System
− UP – Agriculture, Engineer, and Law

d. Marcos Era and Martial law

− Marcos – Automic Energy
− Presidential Decree No. 78 s. 1972- PAG-ASA
− Philippine National Oil Company

e. Fifth Republic
• Corazon Aquino
− National Science and technology Authority (NSTA)
Renamed as Department Science and Technology
− Science and Technology Master man – Newly

• Ramos
− Crafted the STAND

• Estrada
− Clean Air Act of 1999/ RA 8749, and RA 8792

• Arroyo
− Golden Age of Philippine Science and Technology
− RA 9687

• Benigno Aquino
− Scientific Researcher
✓ Trono – Species
 ✓ Alcala – Marine Biology
✓ Abelardo Aguilar – Erythromycin
✓ Gregoria Zara – Videophone
✓ Fabian Millar Dayrit – Herbal Medicine
✓ Diasdado Banatao – Single-chip graphical use
interface (Internet)
✓ Daniel Dingel – Water-powered car
✓ Gregory Ligor Tangonan – Field of Communication
Technology
✓ Fe Del Mundo – Incubator
✓ Lourdes Cruz – Sea Snail Venom

1.3. Science and Technology in Nation Building

• Science and Technology Defined
SCIENCE – Systematic process of obtaining knowledge
TECHNOLOGY – Application of Scientific knowledge

• Importance of Science and Technology in National Development

W – Wealth Creation
I – Improvement in the quality of life (Easier and Better Life)
S – Society Transformation
E – Economic Growth

• Importance of Science and Technology

− Better life
− Information
− Comfort
− Education
− Save Money

• Impact of technology on Society

C – improve Communication
I – Information
T – Transformation
E – Education

• Role of Science and Technology in the Developing World in 21st

Century
− Breakthrough in health services and education
− Improve infrastructure
− Determines socio-economic progress of a country
1.4. Gov’t Law, Policies, Projects and Plans
a. Science and Technology from 1986-2016
− President Aquino – DOST
− President Ramos – Inventors Incentives (RA 7459) and RA 7687
− President Arroyo – technological Entrepreneurship under medium
term plan

b. Government Policies and Laws Pertaining to Science and Technology

− RA 8749 – Clean Up
− RA 9687 – Biofuel Act of 2006
− RA 7687 – Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994
− RA 2067- DOST – SEI Merit Scholarship Program
− RA 10612 – Fast-Tracked Science and Technology Scholarship Act
of 2013

c. Major in Science and Technology Developmental Plans

− Priority areas for Science and Technology Development in NSTP
2002-2020
1. Agriculture, Forestry and Natural resource
2. Health and Medical services
3. Biotechnology
4. ICT
5. Microelectronics
6. Materials, Science and Engineering

d. Status of Science and Technology and Plans for Development under

President Duterte
− DIVVATA – 1 Satellite, 2016
− DIVVATA – 2 Satellite, 2018
− Utilized Zamboanga Doppler Weather Radar System
− RA 11035 – Balik Scientist Program
− Give more incentives to returning Filipino Experts
CHAPTER 2. STS and the Human Condition
2.1 Human Flourishing
• Aristotle
a. Eudomona “Good Spirited” – Happiness
b. Western Civilization – Individual
c. Eastern Civilization – Community-centric

2.2 Technology as a Way of Revealing

a. Science as a Method

b. Science as a Social Endeavor

1. Balance Possible Biases 3. Facilitate Specialization
2. Stimulates Problem 4. Inspire and Motivation
Solving

2.3 Good Life

• Aristotle “Happiness depends on Ourselves”
1. Moral Approval 3. Fulfilled Life (Aristotle)
(Socrates) 4. Meaningful Life
2. Pleasure in Life
(Epicurus)

• Materialism, Hedonism, Stoicism, Theism, Humanism

Materialism
− Comfort, Pleasure and wealth are the only highest goals
− Atomist Philosopher, universe and matter are only made up
of atoms

Hedonism (Pleasure)
− Epicurus, Life is Limited, 1 must Indulge itself with
pleasure
 Stoicism (Marcus Aurelius)
− Asserts Virtue is Happiness
− People do not have any control must not rely on external
event

Theism
− 1/more God exist within universe
− Omniscient – all-knowing
− Omnipotent – all powerful
− Omnipresent – all pervasive

Humanism (Steward of Creation)

− Human being has right and responsibility to give meaning
and shape their own lives

2.4 When Technology and Humanity Cross

a. TV sets, Mobile Phones, Computers and Humanity
− Motorola – 1st mobile phone by Martin Cooper

b. Roles Played by these Technological Advancement

1. Advertisement and information dissemination
2. Recreational Activity
3. Propaganda and Advocacies
4. Communications

c. Robotics and Humanity

− Robot – programmable with degree of Autonomy
− Personal Robot – non-commercial Tasks

d. Roles Played by Robot

1. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) – make decision in near real-time
2. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
3. Articulate Robots – emulate the function of a human arm
4. Humanoid – perform human-centric functions and take human-life forms
5. Cobots – function alongside/directly with humans
6. Hybrids – capable of more complex tasks

e. Ethical Dilemma/s faced by Robotics

− Human-Robots Interaction – Care, Love and Sex
− Automation and Employment – “Job Polarization”
CHAPTER 3. Specific Issues in STS
3.1 The Info Age
• History Development
• Living in the Information Age
Advantage of Information Technology
1. Globalization
2. Communication
3. Cos-effectiveness
4. Creation of New Jobs

3.2 Gene Therapy

• Understanding Gene Therapy
GENE THERAPY – treat, prevent/cure a disease/medical disorder
− Adding new copies
− Replacing a Missing Gene
− Example: Vivo – Introducing normal genes in isolated cell from patients
(outside)
− In vivo – introducing DNA directly into cell while they are in the patient (inside)

• Genetic Engineering – alter the DNA makeup

• Diseased people cured by Fixing their Genes

1. CRISPR – treat sickle cell anemia
2. CAR-T Cell Therapy – treat acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
3. Lukturna – treat retinal dystrophy
4. Spinraza – treat Spinal Muscular Atrophy

• Ethical Considerations
1. Justice and Equity
2. Informed Consent
3. Genome-Editing Research Involving Embryos
4. Safety

• Effects of Gene in our Environment

• Major Risks of GMOs
1. Risks in Gene Flow
2. Emergence of Superweeds
3. Recombination of viruses and bacteria to produce new pathogens

• Direct Risk of GMOs

1. Disruption of Natural Environment
2. Unexpected behavior of GMO upon escape
3. Interfere Natural Biochemical Cycles
4. Negative Impact to Consumer
 • Gene mutation

• DNA Code

3.3 Biodiversity and Healthy Society

• The Impacts of Biodiversity on Human
1. Nutrition
2. Human Habitat
3. Environment – related Illness

• Human Population Growth

6th Mass Extinction – reduction in diversity since emerge of human

• Environment Problem in the World

1. Pollution
2. Global warning
3. Overpopulation
4. Waste Disposal
5. Ocean Acidification
6. Loss of Biodiversity
7. Deforestation
8. Ozone Layer Depletion
9. Acid Rain
10. Public Health Issues

• Effect of the problems…

Direct Effect
✓ Loss of Resource for Livelihood
✓ Habitat loss
✓ Climate change
✓ Alteration of Species
✓ Extinction
✓ Health Problem

Indirect Effect
✓ Poverty Social Issues
✓ Distributional Shift
✓ New Disease Occurrence
✓ Traits and Phenology Change

• Treats to Biodiversity
1. habitat loss and Destruction
2. Alteration in Ecosystem Composition
3. Over-exploitation
4. Pollution and Contamination
5. Global and Climate Change
3.4 Nano World
• Defining Terms
NANOTECHNOLOGY – This technological branch manipulates the
molecular structure of materials to change their intrinsic properties
and obtain others with revolutionary applications.

• Commercial Application
1. Body Armor
2. Surface Protection Material
3. Solar Panel
4. Food Products and Packaging
5. Transdermal Patches
6. Bandages

• Potential Uses
1. Energy Production
2. Agriculture
3. Water Treatment
4. Disease Screening and Diagnosis
5. Health Monitoring
6. Food Processing and Storing
7. Air Pollution Control
CHAPTER 4. Climate Change and Energy Crisis
4.1 Climate Change
• What is CLIMATE CHANGE – long-term shifts in temperatures and
weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through
variations in the solar cycle.

• Causes of Climate Change

− Natural Causes
1. Volcanic Eruption
2. Orbital Changes
3. Variation in Solar Radiation
4. Movement of Crustal Plates
5. El Nino – Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

− Changes in Green House Gases

Sources of Green House Gases
1. Carbon Dioxide
2. Water Vapor
3. Nitrous

• How is Climate Change Effecting the Philippines?

1. More Intense El Nino
2. Sea Surface temperature to rise
3. Ocean acidification
4. Sea levels rise by 4-6 meters
5. Tropical Cyclones
6. Rainfall, Fuel flow and Flooding

• How is Climate Change Affecting the Philippines?

1. Altering Agriculture Production
2. Reduction in Crop Yields
3. Food security declines
4. Malnutrition increases

4.2 Energy Crisis

• Energy Crisis – foreseeable of the cycle of oil, gas and coal which take
hundreds of thousands of years
• Causes of energy Crisis
1. Overconsumption
2. Overpopulation
3. Poor Infrastructure
4. Unexplored renewable Energy options
5. Delay in Commissioning of Power Plants
6. Wastage of Energy
7. Poor distribution system
8. Major accidents and natural calamities
9. Wars and attacks
10. Miscellaneous Factors

• Possible Solutions to Energy Crisis

1. Move towards Renewable Resources
2. Buy energy efficient product
3. Lighting controls
4. Easier Grid Access
5. Energy Simulation
6. Perform Energy Audit
7. Common Stand on Climate Change
CHAPTER 5. Environment Awareness
5.1. Promote of Environmental Awareness
Component of Environmental Education
1. Awareness 4. Skills
2. Knowledge 5. Participation
3. Attitude

5.2. Top 10 Benefits of Environmental Education

1. Heightened imagination and enthusiasm
2. Learning transcends the classroom
3. Critical and creative thinking are enhanced
4. Develop tolerance and understanding
5. State and national learning standards are met for multiple subject
6. Decline in bio phobia and nature deficit disorder
7. Healthy lifestyle
8. Communities are strengthened
9. Responsible action is taken to better the environment
10. Students and teacher are empowered

5.3. Beliefs and Convictions

Environmental Stewardship – 7R
CHAPTER 6. Alternative Energy Resources

6.1 What is Alternative Energy?

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY – is energy sources other then Fossil
Fuel (Coal, Gasoline, and Natural Gas) including all renewable
resources and Nuclear Power.

6.2 Differences between Alternative Energy and Renewable Energy

RENEWABLE RESOURCES – naturally occurring and
replenishes.

6.3 Sources of Alternative Energy

1. Nuclear power
2. Wind power
3. Solar power
4. Hydraulic power
5. Space-based solar power
6. Tidal
7. Biofuel

6.4 Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources in the Philippines

• Hydroelectric Plants – Angat Dam, in Bulacan is the Major
Hydropower Facility in the Philippines.
• Geothermal plants – suitable for areas with low winds such as
Mindanao
• Solar power – high amount of sunlight each year
• Wind power – on shore facilities and are tourist destination
• Biomass Power – energy derived from plant and animal
resources.