SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY (STS) ARE ALSO REFERRED TO AS SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY STUDIES. IT IS THE STUDY OF HOW SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND CULTURAL
VALUES AFFECT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION, AND HOW
THESE, IN RETURN, AFFECT SOCIETY. SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY SCHOLARS ARE
INTERESTED IN A VARIETY OF PROBLEMS THAT INCLUDE THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS AND SOCIETY, AND THE DIRECTIONS AND
THE RISKS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. THE FIELD OF STS IS RELATED TO THE HISTORY
AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE ALTHOUGH WITH A MUCH BROADER EMPHASIS ON SOCIAL
ASPECTS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
 Science is an organized and dynamic inquiry (following scientific method), It is a human activity and a social
enterprise that leads to formation of concepts, methods, principles, theories, law and procedures which seek to
describe and explain nature and its phenomena as well as lead in the development of apparatuses, equipment and
technologies. Technology is a material product as result of scientific inquiry. It is the application of knowledge in
solving scientific and practical problem that will help humans to survive and improve his life. Technology is a
complex system of knowledge, skills, people, methods, tools, materials and resources applied and allocated to the
development, operation and production of a new or improved product, process or services.
 Early humans attempted to understand the unknown world, they were curious about their nature. They observed and
started to record patterns, cycles and repetitions of what is happening in their environment and started to look for an
answer. With this experience they were able learn to analyze and organize information which led to the understanding of
science.
 Because early humans were able to organize and learn information, they used the information they acquired in
starting the primitive technology, thus gave way to the birth of technology. Therefore, technology has come to reality
because of the desire of early humans to thrive and survive, which later improved and made their life easier.
 Humans (Homo sapiens) are an ingenious species who dreamed up and created some amazing and far-out things. It
is from the moment someone bashed a rock on the groundeveloper a sharp-edged tool, to the debut of the wheel, to
the development of Mars rovers and The progression of Internet where several key advancements stand out as
particularly revolutionary.
 Historical Antecedent of Science and
Technology during Pre-Historic Times

Stone Age. Ancient humans were able to discover and invent tools from stones: flint, chert, basalt and sandstones. They
develop tools gradually from single to all-purpose tools to a collection of varied and highly specialized types of tools,
each designed to serve a specific function: cutting, chopping, scraping and sawing. Stone tools were shaped or chipped
(flaking) into: flakes, blades, hand axes, spears, darts, arrows and other projectile weapons; wood, bone, shell, antler and
other materials were widely used, as well. Many important inventions appeared, such as needles and thread, skin
clothing, the harpoon, the spear thrower, and special fishing equipment. Fire was the most important discovery and
invention of man in the Stone age. The use of fire led to various ways of preparing and cooking food and inventions of
suitable food containers and utensils.
Bronze Age is the period marked with the beginning of mining and metallurgy. Bronze denotes the first period in which
metal was used, man begun the smelting copper and alloying with tin or arsenic to make bronze tools and weapons: sword,
axes, plows, locks and chariot. Bronze was harder and more durable than other metals available at the time, thus providing
Bronze Age civilizations to gain a technological advantage.
 Iron Age is the period of time when the dominant tool making material was iron. Iron age Technology is
characterized by the production of tools and weaponry using ferrous metallurgy or iron working. This distinctive
dark metal brought significant changes to daily life in ancient society from the way people grew crops to the way
they fought wars. In those days, this iron metal made life a lot easier. Humans had settled into small village life,
toiling the soil with Iron farming tools, such as sickles and plough tips, made the process more efficient and
allowed farmers to exploit tougher soils and try new crops.
 Historical Antecedent of Science and
Technology during Ancient Times

First civilization emerged independent of one another along fertile river of Tigris-Euphrates, Nile, and Yangtze river.
People of each civilization developed a unique way of life, religion, form of government, language and system of writing,
arts, crafts, and advances in science and technology such as astronomy, agriculture, medicine, mathematics, engineering,
and architecture.
 Sumerian Civilization Science and Technology
Development

The Sumerian were the first to produce writing system called cuneiform, which consist of pictograms or drawings
representing actual things. Sumerians’ clay tablet contain the Sumerian historical information and culture. The potters’
wheel is a mechanical device that the Sumerians had invented shortly after 3500 B.C.-as a means of practical method for
moving heavy objects from one location to another. They started using sail boats, needed water transportation for travel
and trade. They were among the first astronomers, mapping the movement of stars, planets and moon into sets of
constellations, many of which survived in the zodiac and were also recognized by the ancient Greeks. Sumerians were
also recognized for building the foundations of logic, mathematics, engineering, architecture, agriculture, transportation
and medicine. They use sexagesimal system of counting in units of 60 which served as the basis of 360 degree circle and
the 60 minute hour. Developed systematized technique of farming: seed plow and irrigation and convert wool from sheep
made into textiles, then mastered the arts of bleaching and dyeing.
 Babylonian Civilization Science and
Technology Development

Hammurabi Law serves as rule and standards which maintain a period of stability in this region. They constructed the
famous “Hanging Gardens of Babylons” (one of the seven wonders of the world) and the Isthar Gate. They have
several contribution to the development of science and technology such as: irrigation system of canals flanked by
earthen dikes; system of book keeping, double entry accounting, drew up multiplication and division tables and making
calculations using geometry, make accurate predictions of solar and lunar eclipses and other astronomical phenomena.
 Egyptian Civilization Science and Technology
Development

Ancient Egypt depended on the waters of the Nile River which flows through harsh and arid desert. The early settlers
were animal hunters with weapons and traps and nomadic. Later change their lifestyle to be farmland settlers. They
learned to heat metal ore (copper, gold and bronze) and made weapons, pottery and utensils; first people to learn how
to make glass (glass-blowing) such as glass jars and glass beads, they wrote with ink and brushes on paper made of
papyrus reeds; their writing was in the form.
Egyptian Civilization Science and Technology
Development

Ancient Egypt depended on the waters of the Nile River which flows through harsh and arid desert. The
early settlers were animal hunters with weapons and traps and nomadic. Later change their lifestyle to be
farmland settlers. They learned to heat metal ore (copper, gold and bronze) and made weapons, pottery and
utensils; first people to learn how to make glass (glass-blowing) such as glass jars and glass beads, they wrote
with ink and brushes on paper made of papyrus reeds; their writing was in the form of pictorial symbols known
as hieroglyphics.
 Cretan (Minoan) Civilization Science and
Technology Development

The Minoans were primarily a mercantile people engaged in overseas trade of tin, alloyed of tin with copper,
exporter of wine, oil, jewelry, and highly crafted works. Minoans built the first major navy ship in the world for the
purpose of trading; they made sophisticated carved statues, ceramics, frescoes, jewels, and inscription which revealed
these knowledge of mathematics, engineering, and architecture that were applied scientifically and artistically.
 Greek Civilization Science and Technology
Development

Greece is known as the cradle of western civilization, they gifted the world with important discoveries and
inventions. These foremost they developed astrolabe used to make astronomical measurements and location, they
established theatre, water clock, the Greek fire which was a flaming liquid used to destroy fleet of soldiers, levers,
crane, water mill, catapult use as assist in throwing heavy objects over a long distance, and the Archimedes screws used
for lifting materials upward. They developed a technique of surveying and mathematics.
 Roman Civilization Science and Technology
Development

The Romans used water power and watermills for making cereals milling, sawing timber and crushing ore. They
exploited wood and coal for heating. They constructed numerous aqueducts to supply water, dams, bridges, and
amphitheaters. They studied astronomy, astrology, geography, and other sciences and used sundials to tell time and even
created portable versions. They also used tools for measuring, manual drills, and metal spikes.
 Historical Antecedent of Science and
Technology during Medieval Times

Medieval Times, Middle Ages, and Dark Ages generally refer to the same period of time from 500 to 1500 AD. That is
1000 years! It covers the time from the fall of the Roman Empire to the rise of the Ottoman Empire.
Europe experienced an intellectual revitalization, especially with regard to the investigation of the natural world and major
technological advances.

Agricultural Innovations comprise of heavy wheeled plough, three- field crop rotation system, horse collar, stirrup, horseshoe
Artesian well, and wheelbarrow were developed. Military technology include the counterweight trebuchet for hurling huge
stones to very long distance; longbow and steel crossbow for hunting and weapon; complete full plate armour for body
protection and the skills involved in working metal. Other inventions consist of vertical windmills, spectacles, mirrors,
mechanical clocks, hourglass, greatly improved water mills, spinning wheel, blast furnace.

 Emergence of the first universities that trained middle class in theology, medicine, and law later on modern universities
such as Oxford and Cambridge established during this time in England.
 In the 14th century, there was the crisis of the Late Middle Ages with the Black Death that wiped out so many lives
and affected the entire system. It brought a sudden end to the previous period of massive scientific change. The
plague killed 25-50% of the people in Europe, especially in the crowded condition of the towns, where the heart of
innovations laid. Quarantine technique was established, initially a 40-day-period, the Quarantine was introduced by
the Republic of Ragusa to prevent the spreading of diseases like the Black Death. Venice began quarantines, then
the practice spread around in Europe.
 Historical Antecedent of Science and
Technology during Renaissance Times

The Renaissance was a time of creativity and rebirth of cultural and intellectual pursuits centered in Italy during 1300s
before spreading throughout Europe. The Renaissance produced a golden age with great advances in art, literature,
science, geography, astronomy, chemistry, physics, mathematics, manufacturing, anatomy and engineering, but most
importantly, it produced a new concept of how people thought of themselves, each other, and the world around them.
 The most important technological innovation of the time was the invention of the printing press by Johann
Gutenberg, it began printing the Bible in everyday language. This invention led to a higher literacy rate among
people, and helped with the spread of Renaissance ideas which gave birth to the invention of newspaper.
 Some important Renaissance technologies include both innovations and improvements on existing techniques and
branches of science: mining and metallurgy: blast furnace, finery forge, slitting mill, arquebus, firearms, musket;
the inventions of nautical compass, mariner’s astrolabe, dry dock and floating dock. Alchemy refers to the
transformation of other base substances such as sulphur, or copper into gold and to discover a cure for disease and
ways of extending life. In Medicine with an increase in experimental investigation, principally in the field of
dissection and body examination, thus advancing the knowledge of human anatomy.
 Historical Antecedent of Science and Technology
during Modern Times

Science and Technology during the Scientific Revolution

The scientific revolution was the appearance of modern science during the early modern period, when developments in
mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology and chemistry took place during the 16 th and 17th centuries which transformed
views of society and nature. The scientific revolution began in Europe towards the end of the Renaissance period,
influencing the intellectual social movement known as the Enlightenment or Age of reason.
There were revolutionary developments that occurred, using scientific methods sought to investigate or answer
certain questions implied in the framework of certain theories. Using experiment and observation to uncover
phenomenon, discover new ideas, new inventions that began to disprove inadequate old beliefs or theories. The
systematic experimentation was slowly accepted by the scientific community.

 Scientific revolution led to the inventions of microscope, barometer, thermometer, and telescope. These
instruments helped in the creation of new intellectual knowledge such as: magnetism, electricity, Heliocentric
theory, elliptical orbit of celestial body, discovery of planets and moons.
The Scientific Revolution gave emphasis on the following theories:

 1. Heliocentric theory of Nicolaus Copernicus

 2. The planets travel around the Sun in elliptical orbits, one focus of the ellipse being occupied by the Sun of Kepler
 3. A planet moves in its orbit in such a manner that a line drawn from the planet to the Sun always sweeps out equal
areas in equal times of Kepler
 4. The square of the period in which a planet orbits the Sun is proportional to the cube of its mean distance from the
Sun of Kepler
 5. There are innumerable stars invisible to the naked eye, sunspots, phases of Venus and Moons of Jupiter of Galileo
5. There are innumerable stars invisible to the naked eye, sunspots, phases of Venus and Moons of Jupiter of Galileo
6. The observation of minute living things that cannot be seen by naked eye of Leeuwenhoek
7. The Law of Inertia states that if the vector sum of the forces acting on an object is zero, then the object will remain at
rest or remain moving at constant velocity of Newton
8. The Law of acceleration states that a net force on an object will accelerate it-that is, change its velocity. The
acceleration will be proportional to the magnitude of the force and in the same direction as the force of Newton
9. The law of Interaction states that an object experiences a force because it is interacting with some other object. The
force that object 1 exerts on object 2 must be of the same magnitude but in the opposite direction as the force that object
2 exerts on object 1 of Newton
10. Law of Universal Gravitation states that the pull of the Earth on objects at its surface is its pull of gravity of Newton
 Science and Technology during the Industrial
Revolution

Industrial Revolution was the transition to new technological processes in Europe-Great Britain and United States that
took place during 1750-1900. It is a historical period where the pace of change and innovation appeared to speed up
and the merger of technology with industry occurred. The acceleration in the processes of technical innovation
produces an array of new tools and machines.
 The following are some key inventions and innovations served to shape virtually every
existing sector of human activity along industrial lines:
1. Energy and the power of wind and water during the early period of the Industrial Revolution, most industrial
power was supplied by water and wind using waterwheel, windmills and water turbine. The most popular energy
source was water power, it was used for grinding grain and other types of mill work during preindustrial Europe.
2. Steam power or Steam engine was first installed for purpose of pumping water out of coal mines but now high
pressure engine had a high power making it suitable for transportation. A Watt steam engine became widely used in
Great Britain during the Industrial Revolution.
3. The discovery of Petroleum and natural gases enhanced internal- combustion engine lay in the need for a light
locomotive engine.
4. The internal combustion engine the combustion of a fuel releases a high-temperature gas, which, as it expands,
applies a force to a piston, moving it. Thus, combustion engines convert chemical energy into mechanical work. The
engine steered in the Industrial Age, which enabled the invention of a huge variety of machines, including modern cars
and aircraft.
5. The development of electricity as a source of power preceded this conjunction with steam power late in the 19 th
century.
6. Agriculture technology such as seed drill and plough, crop rotation system and animal husbandry bring about a
substantial increase in agricultural productivity capable of feeding a rapidly growing population with improved
nutrition.
7. Textile industry was the dominant industry of the Industrial Revolution in terms of employment, especially in the
production of fabrics and cotton. The boom in productivity began with a few technical devices, including the spinning
jenny, spinning mule, power loom, and cotton gin, Steam power was applied to operate these machines and other
specialized equipmentlie
8. In order to be efficient in delivering agricultural products, overland roads were improved, canals were dug to
create maritime corridors between existing waterways and railroads were constructed. Wagon, automobile, rail
transit and the early airplane were manufactured.
9. Manufacturing of chemicals such as sulphuric acid used for pickling (removing rust) iron and steel, explosives,
bleaching solutions, sodium carbonate, solvents, fertilizers, and medicines, including pharmaceuticals were
established.
10. Metallurgy: there are more changes in the metal industries during the Industrial Revolution era, it was the
replacement of wood and other bio-fuels with coal. For a given amount of heat, coal required much less labor to
mine than cutting wood and converting it to charcoal, and coal was more abundant than wood.
11. Machine tools: screw cutting lathe, cylinder boring machine and the milling machine created a demand for metal
parts used in machinery which led to the development of several machine tools.
12. Invention of cement by heating mixture of clay and limestone to about 1,400°C, which is then mixed with water,
sand and gravel to produce concrete. Cement is used on a large scale in the construction of buildings.
13. In glass making, a new method of producing glass known as the cylinder blown sheet was invented to make window
pane glass and plate glass.
14. The discovery of the atomic nucleus in 1911 and the numerous subatomic particles including electron opened up to
the field of atomic and nuclear physics.
15. The development of biochemistry and molecular biology paved the way to the recognition of important biological
processes at molecular level and the discovery of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a molecule that carries the genetic
material of the living things.
16. Modern medicine has profited from this explosion of knowledge in biology and biochemistry which led to the
development of New methods of treating diseases ranging from production of penicillin, insulin, and a vast array of
drugs to pacemakers for weak hearts and implantation of artificial or donated organs.
16. Modern medicine has profited from this explosion of knowledge in biology and biochemistry which led to the
development of New methods of treating diseases ranging from production of penicillin, insulin, and a vast array of
drugs to pacemakers for weak hearts and implantation of artificial or donated organs.

17. In astronomy, ever larger telescopes were invented and used to study the sun and the huge collection of stars called
the Milky Way. Through space travel astronomers were able to study and discover the nature of the universe beyond
Earth. The space age began with the launch of the first artificial satellites in 1957 A human first went into space in
1961. Since then cosmonauts and astronauts have ventured into space for further study of the universe.
There are heaps of developments of science and technology during this century and it keeps
on upgrading. The following are some of the remarkable invention that had major impact on
human being:
 Science and Technology in the 20th Century

1. The electronics industry was introduced in the early 20 th century and had greatly advanced. The complex device
like computers before could fill an entire room, but now it can be carried in an attaché case, and it is even included
in the cell phone. The electronic computer has become one of the important tools of the modern industry.A
computer is an electronic machine that accepts information, stores it, processes it according to the instructions
provided by a user, and then returns the result.
2. Electronics have been fundamental in developing innovative communications devices such as radio, intercoms,
television, headphones, microphones, and laser.
3. An airplane was invented by the Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville. It is a powered fixed-wing aircraft that
is propelled forward by thrust from a jet engine or propeller. Commercial airlines are a massive industry
involving the flying of tens of thousands of passengers daily. The extensive uses of airplanes include recreation,
transportation of goods and people, military, and research.
4. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive medical test that physicians use to diagnose medical
conditions or presence of certain disease and abnormalities or monitor treatment for a variety of conditions
within the body. It uses powerful magnetic field, radio waves or pulses and a computer to produce detailed
pictures of the inside of your body such as organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body
structures.
5. The Internet was the work of dozens of pioneering scientists, programmers, and engineers. This technology paved the way for wireless
communication, which helps the users to communicate with their relatives and friends and also learn news and informations both locally
and globally. This technology, with its new features eventually merged to become the “information superhighway” we know today.
6. Optic fiber is used by many telecommunications companies to transmit telephone signals, Internet communication, and cable
television signals. Today, Optic fiber is present in virtually every nation on the Earth, forming the absolute strength of the modern
communications infrastructure.

7. Air Conditioning system in 1902, an engineer from New York named Willis Carrier invented the first modern air- conditioning system,
which sent air through water-cooled coils, it was designed to control humidity. In 1922, he followed up with the invention of the
centrifugal chiller. Carrier’s innovation shaped 20th-century America.
8. 3D Metal Printing is one of the advances in technology that provide instant metal fabrication. This innovation enables
the ability to create large, intricate metal structures on demand and therefore could revolutionize manufacturing.

9. Genetic engineering or genetic modification is a process of modifying the genetic material of a certain organism by
inserting new gene into it. The resulting new organism is called genetically modified organism (GMO) that shows
changes in it according to the gene’s function in the body. GMOs are produced using recombinant DNA technology and
cloning technology.

10. Artificial Embryos are made from stem cells alone without using egg or sperm cells. It is a breakthrough that will
open new possibilities for understanding how life comes into existence- but clearly also raises vital ethical and even
philosophical problems.