INTRODUCTION

This lesson will give light to the development of science and scientific ideas in the heart of the society. It
is the goal this lesson to articulate ways by which society is transformed by science and technology.

Scientific Revolution

Science is as old as the world itself. There is no individual that can exactly identify when and where
science began. From the genesis of time, science has existed. It is always interwoven with the society.
So, how can science be defined?

1. Science as an idea. It includes ideas, theories, and all available systematic explanations and
observations about the natural and physical world.

2.

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. 3. Science as a body of
knowledge. It is a subject or a discipline,

a field of study, or a body of knowledge that deals with the process of learning about the natural and
physical world. This is what we refer to as school science.

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. It is a means to improve
life and to survive in life. It is interwoven people's lives.
Human beings have embarked in scientific activities in order to know and understand everything around
them. They have persistently observed and studied the natural and the physical world in order to find
meanings and seek answers to many questions. They have developed noble ideas, later known as
philosophy, to provide alternative or possible explanations to certain phenomena. Humans also used
religion to rationalize the origins of life and all lifeless forms.

The idea of scientific revolution is claimed to have started in the early 16th century up to the 18th
century in Europe. Why in Europe? The probable answer is the invention of the printing machine and
the blooming intellectual activities done in various places of learning, and the growing number of
scholars in various fields of human interests. This does not mean, however, that science is a foreign idea
transported from other areas of the globe. Anyone who can examine the history of science, technology,
medicine, and mathematics is aware that all great civilizations of the ancient world had their own
sophisticated traditions and activities related to these disciplines.

Scientific revolution was the period of enlightenment when the developments in the fields of
mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology, and chemistry transformed the views of society about
nature. It explained the emergence or birth of modern science as a result of these developments from
the disciplines mentioned. The ideas generated during this period enabled the people to reflect, rethink,
and reexamine their beliefs and their way of life. There is no doubt that it ignited vast human interests
to rethink how they do science and view scientific processes.

Scientific revolution was the golden age for people committed to scholarly life in science but it was also
a deeply trying moment to some scientific individuals that led to their painful death or condemnation
from the religious institutions who tried to preserve their faith, religion, and theological views. Some
rulers and religious leaders did not accept many of the early works of scientists. But these did not stop
people especially scientists to satisfy their curiosity of the natural and physical world.

Figure to insert

Scientific revolution is very significant in the development of human beings, transformation of the
society, and in the formulation of scientific ideas. It significantly improved the conduct of scientific
investigations, experiments, and observations. The scientific revolution also led to the creation of new
research fields in science and prompted the establishment of a strong foundation for modern science. In
many ways, scientific revolution transformed the natural world and the world of ideas.

Some Intellectuals and their Revolutionary Ideas

To further understand what exactly happened during the scientific revolution, it is important to examine
the different individuals whose ideas have shaken and contested the dominant theories and ideas during
this period-the truths of their time. Scientists in all periods of time are driven by their curiosity, critical
thinking, and creativity to explore the physical and natural world. Their love for science is driven by their
deep passion to know and to discover

Figure 2.

Scientists are not driven by clamor for honor and publicity. They are ordinary people doing extraordinary
things. Some scientists were never appreciated during their times, some were sentenced to death, while
others were condemned by the Church during their time. In spite of all the predicaments and challenges
they experienced, they never stopped experimenting, theorizing, and discovering new knowledge and
ideas.

In this part of the lesson, three notable scientists are discussed. For sure, there were many scientists
who worked before and after these individuals. However, it is important to note that these men,
particularly through their ideas, had shaken the world.

--INTRODUCTION

This lesson will discuss the influence of science and technology in the development of the Philippine
society. It identifies government programs, projects, and policies geared toward boasting the science
and technological capacity of the country. This lesson will also include discussions on Philippine
indigenous science and technology.

Brief Historical Background of Science and Technology in the Philippines

The history of science and technology in the Philippines started way back before the country gained its
independence from the American colonizers. Before the coming of the Spanish colonizers, the early
inhabitants of the archipelago had their own culture and traditions. They had their own belief system
and indigenous knowledge system that keeps them organized and sustained their lives and communities
for many years.

Science, in pre-Spanish Philippines, is embedded in the way of life of the people. Scientific knowledge is
observed in the way they plant their crops that provide them food, in taking care of animals to help
them in their daily tasks, and for food production. Science is observed in the way they interpret the
movements of heavenly bodies to predict seasons and climates, and in organizing days into months and
years. They use science in preparing the soil for agricultural purposes and like any other ancient
cultures, they discovered the medicinal uses of plants.

Technology is used by people in building houses, irrigations, and in developing tools that they can use in
everyday life. They developed tools for planting, hunting, cooking, and fishing; for fighting their enemies
during war or tribal conflicts; and for transportation, both on land and on waterways. They also
developed technologies in creating musical instruments.

The different archeological artifacts discovered in different parts of the country also prove that the
Metal Age also had a significant influence on the lives of early Filipinos. The sophisticated designs of gold
and silver jewelry, ceramics, and metal tools proved that their technological ideas helped in the
development of different tools. Also, trading with China, Indonesia, Japan, and other nearby countries
have influenced their lives by providing different opportunities for cultural and technological exchange.

All these ancient practices in science and technology are considered now as indigenous science or folk
science.

When the Spaniards colonized the country, they brought with them their own culture and practices.
They established schools for boys and girls and introduced the concept of subjects and disciplines. It was
the beginning formal science and technology in the country, known now as school of science and
technology.

Learning of science in school focuses on understanding different concepts related to the human body,
plants, animals, and heavenly bodies. Technology focuses on using and developing house tools used in
everyday life.

Life during the Spanish era slowly became modernized, adapting some Western technology and their
ways of life. The Filipinos developed ways to replicate the technology brought by the Spaniards using
indigenous materials. Medicine and advanced science were introduced in formal colleges and
universities established by the Catholic orders.
The galleon trade has brought additional technology and development in the Philippines. Although it is
only beneficial for the Spaniards, these trades allowed other ideas, crops, tools, cultural practices,
technology, and Western practices to reach the country. Some Filipino students who were able to study
in Europe also contributed to the advancement of medicine, engineering, arts, music, and literature in
the country.

The Philippines, being one of the centers of global trade in Southeast Asia during that time, was
considered to be one of the most developed places in the region. Although the country is blessed with
these developments, the superstitious beliefs of the people and the Catholic doctrines and practices
during the Spanish era halted the growth of science in the country.

The Americans have more influence in the development of science and technology in the Philippines
compared to the Spaniards. They established the public education system, improved the engineering
works and the health conditions of the people. They established a modern research university, the
University of the Philippines, and created more public hospitals than the former colonial master. The
mineral resources of the country were also explored and exploited during the American times.
Transportation and communication systems were improved, though not accessible throughout the
country.

The Americans did everything to "Americanize" the Philippines. They reorganized the learning of science
and introduced it in public and private schools. In basic education, science education, focuses on nature
studies and science and sanitation, until it became a subject formally known as "Science." The teaching
of science in higher education has also greatly improved and modernized. Researches were done to
control malaria, cholera, and tuberculosis and other tropical diseases,

The desire of the Americans to develop the human resources of the Philippines to serve their own
interests is, somehow, beneficial in the country. These allowed American scholars to introduce new
knowledge and technology in the country. The Protestant church missions in different places in the
country also brought hospitals and schools to far-flung areas. Little by little, these efforts built a stronger
foundation for science and technology in the country.

However, World War II has destabilized the development of the

country in many ways. Institutions and public facilities were turned into ashes, houses were burned, and
many lives were destroyed. The country had a difficult time to rebuild itself from the ruins of the war.
The human spirit to survive and to rebuild the country may be strong but the capacity of the country to
bring back what was destroyed was limited. The reparation funds focused on building some institutions
and public facilities like schools, hospitals, and transportation systems. The reparation money from
Japan was also concentrated on building highways and in providing technological training and human
resource development in the country.

Since the establishment of the new republic, the whole nation has been focusing on using its limited
resources in improving its science and technological capability. It has explored the use of ODA or
Overseas Development Allocations from different countries to help the country improve its scientific
productivity and technological capability. Human resource development is at the heart of these efforts
focusing on producing more engineers, scientists, technology experts, doctors, and other professionals
in the country.

The development of science and technology in the Philippines, based on its brief history, is shaped by
several factors and influences. Like in the history of science in other countries, it is always shaped by
human and social activities, both internal and external.

Figure

Science and technology may have significant impact on the lives of the people and in the development
of the Philippine society. However, improving the quality of science education still remains as a big
challenge in the country. School science from basic education to graduate education is improving slowly,
and there are only few students enrolling in science and technology courses.

Government Policies on Science and Technology

The Philippine government introduced and implemented several programs, projects, and policies to
boost the area of science and technology. The goal is to prepare the whole country and its people to
meet the demands of a technologically driven world and capacitate the people to live in a world driven
by science.

Padilla-Concepcion (2015) reported that in 2015, in response to the ASEAN 2015 Agenda, the
government, particularly the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), has sought the expertise of
the National Research Council of the Philippines (NCRP) to consult various sectors in the society to study
how the Philippines can prepare itself in meeting the ASEAN 2015 Goals. As a result of the consultation,
the NCRP is expected to recommend policies and programs that will improve the competitiveness of the
Philippines in the ASEAN Region.

The NCRP clustered these policies into four, namely:

1. Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, International Policies and Governance

Integrating ASEAN awareness in basic education without adding to the curriculum

Emphasizing teaching in the mother tongue.

Developing school infrastructure and providing for ICT broadband

Local food security

2. Physics, Engineering and Industrial Research, Earth and Space Sciences, and Mathematics

Emphasizing degrees, licenses, and employment opportunities

Outright grants for peer monitoring

Review of R.A. 9184

Harnessing science and technology as an independent mover of development

3. Medical, Chemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Ensuring compliance of drug-manufacturing firms with ASEAN-harmonized standards by full
implementation of the Food and Drug Administration

Creating an education council dedicated standardization of pharmaceutical services and care to

Empowering food and drug agencies to conduct evidence- based research as pool of information

Allocating two percent of the GDP to research

Legislating a law supporting human genome projects

4. Biological Sciences, Agriculture, and Forestry

Protecting and conserving biodiversity by full implementation of existing laws

Use of biosafety and standard model by ASEAN countries

Promoting indigenous knowledge systems and indigenous people's conservation

. Formulation of common food and safety standards

There are also other existing programs supported by the Philippine government through the DOST.
Some of these projects are the following:

Providing funds for basic research and patents related to science and technology. The government funds
basic and applied researches. Funding of these research and projects are also from the Overseas
Development Aid (ODA) from different countries.
Providing scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies of students in the field of science and
technology. Saloma (2015) pointed out that the country needs to produce more doctoral graduates in
the field of science and technology, and produce more research in these fields, including engineering.

Establishing more branches of the Philippine Science High School System for training young Filipinos in
the field of science and technology.

Creating science and technology parks to encourage academe and industry partnerships.

Balik Scientist Program to encourage Filipino scientists abroad to come home and work in the Philippines
or conduct research and projects in collaboration with Philippine-based scientists.

Developing science and technology parks in academic campuses to encourage academe and industry
partnerships.

The establishment of the National Science Complex and National Engineering Complex within the
University of the Philippines campus in Diliman. These aimed to develop science and technology and
engineering resources needed by the country. They also aimed to produce more researches in these
fields..

The Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE, 2008) identified several capacity-
building programs such as:

Establishment of national centers of excellence

Manpower and institutional development programs, such as the Engineering and Science Education
Program (ESEP) to produce more PhD graduates in science and engineering

Establishment of regional centers to support specific industries that will lead the country in different
research and development areas
Establishment of science and technology business centers to assist, advise, and incubate
technopreneurship ventures

Strengthen science education at an early stage through the Philippine Science High School system

In the field of education, several science-related programs and projects were created to develop the
scientific literacy of the country.

Special science classes were organized and special science elementary schools were established in
different regions. Aside from these, science and mathematics in basic education were continuously
improved. The current K to 12 education program included Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (STEM) as one of its major tracks in the senior high school program to encourage more
students to enroll in science-related fields in college.

Lately, the Commission on Higher Education launched its Philippine-California Advanced Research
Institutes (PICARI) Project to allow several higher education institutions in the Philippines and some US-
based laboratories, research institutes, and universities to work on research and projects related to
science, agriculture, engineering, health, and technology. This project is hoped to strengthen the STEM
competitiveness of the country.

There are many other areas and fields that the country is looking forward to embark various research
and projects. The following are some of them:

1. Use of alternative and safe energy

2. Harnessing mineral resources

3. Finding cure for various diseases and illness

4. Climate change and global warming

5. Increasing food production

6. Preservation of natural resources

7. Coping with natural disasters and calamities

8. Infrastructure development.

The Philippine Congress has also created various laws related to science and technology. These laws
serve as a legal framework for science and technology in the country. These laws vary according to
different themes such as: conservation, health-related, technology-building, and supporting basic
research, among others. Some laws and policies are in line with international treaties such as the United
Nations (UN), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other international agencies.

Figure 4. Development of Science and Technology Policies in the Philippines

As shown in the diagram, the development of policies in science and technology is shaped or influenced
by several variables: policies need to be to national goals, consider international commitments based on
legal frameworks, and respond to various social needs, issues, and problems. Science and technology
policies ensure that the whole country and all people will experience the progress that science can
bring. Policies are guides to direct all efforts to a goal of developing a scientifically advanced country.

Famous Filipinos in the Field of Science

School science is filled with names of foreign scientists: Einstein, Galileo Galilei, Newton, Faraday,
Darwin, and many other Western scientists. We rarely hear of Filipino scientists being discussed in
science classes. Lee-Chua (2000) identified 10 outstanding Filipino scientists who have made significant
contributions in Philippine science. These scientists are also famous abroad especially in different
science disciplines: agriculture, mathematics, physics, medicine, marine science, chemistry, engineering,
and biology.

These Filipino scientists are:

1. Ramon Cabanos Barba for his outstanding research on tissue culture in Philippine mangoes

2. Josefino Cacas Comiso for his works on observing the characteristics of Antarctica by using satellite
images

3. Jose Bejar Cruz Jr. known internationally in the field of electrical engineering; was elected as officer of
the famous Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

4. Lourdes Jansuy Cruz venom notable for her research on sea snail

5. Fabian Millar Dayrit for his research on herbal medicine

6. Rafael Dineros Guerrero III for his research on tilapia culture

7. Enrique Mapua Jr. drugs testing for inventing the meconium

8. Lilian Formalejo Patena biotechnology for doing research on plant

9. Mari-Jo Panganiban Ruiz - for being an outstanding educator and graph theorist

10. Gregory Ligot Tangonan communications technology for his research in the field of

There are other outstanding Filipino scientists who are recognized here and abroad for their outstanding
contributions in science:

Caesar A. Saloma an internationally renowned physicist

Edgardo Gomez famous scientist in marine science

William Padolina chemistry and president of National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST)-
Philippines

Angel Alcala- marine science

There are other scientists in the Philippines who were not identified in the list. Yet, the Philippines still
need more scientists and engineers, and there is a need to support scientific research in the country.
The University of the Philippines-Los Baños is a science paradise for agriculture, forestry, plant and
animal science, and veterinary science. It has produced numerous scientists and various research in the
fields mentioned. The University of the

Philippines-Visayas is also a national center for marine science, fisheries, and other related sciences. The
University of the Philippines Manila is a center of excellence and has produced many researchers,
doctors, health professionals, and scientists in the area of medical and public health. The University of
the Philippines-Diliman also has established a national science and engineering complex to develop
more research and produce more scientists and engineers in the country. The government must find
ways to establish more research laboratories and research institutes. There is also a need to find ways
on how their researches are disseminated to the public.

Many of these Filipino scientists are products of good school science. It means they were taught and
inspired by great teachers. Their interests in science started to manifest during their childhood years.
Their natural environment ignited their curiosity to learn more about the natural and physical
environment. Schools and the laboratories where they studied and worked nurtured this.

Many Filipino scientists, whether they are in the country or abroad, always excel in their job. The Filipino
spirit in their souls has never faded. They continue to bring honor to the country. They make ordinary
things in an extraordinary way. They are always at par with other scientists in spite of the limited
facilities we have here in the country.