Science, Technology, and Society (STS)

Hand-out#1 : Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society

Prepared by : John Dave A. Dicuangco

Lesson Objectives

• Describe the background of the STS subject.

• Explain the meaning of science, technology, and society.
• Trace and elaborate the relationship between the science, technology, and society.

Discussion

I. What is STS?

STS or Science, Technology, and Society is an exciting interdisciplinary field of study rooted in
the history, philosophy, anthropology, and sociology of science and technology.

It examines deep cultural roots of our techno-scientific society and addresses pressing public/social
policy issues. It also constitutes a fundamental aspect of a liberal arts education and is excellent
preparation for graduate study or future employment opportunities. The realization that discoveries
and inventions are shaped by historical forces and in turn influence values, aspirations, events, and
institutions, thus shaping the course of history. It makes the assumption that science and
technology are essentially intertwined and that they are each profoundly social and profoundly
political.

II. Meaning of Science, Technology, and Society

A. Science

Science is a body of knowledge acquired through scientific observations and experiments in the
natural world. The word “science” is derived from the Latin word “scientia“ which means
knowledge. It attains the knowledge in systematical way called as scientific method. Science can
also be explained as the human attempt to understand its natural world with or without concern for
practical use. As stated, science studies the natural world that pertains to components of physical
universe around us including organisms, atoms, planets, and even society itself. Due to its
complexity, different branches of science exist today.

B. Technology

Technology is the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life.
Technology is derived from the Greek words “techne” which means art, craft, or skill and “logos”
which implies study or practical application. It refers to the methods, systems, or tools which
emerge from studying the natural world that must serve its purpose. Technology is the human
attempt with an objective to change the world. Technology may also refer to tools (technic) and
procedures (techniques). While science explores for the purpose of knowing, technology explores
for the purpose of making the knowledge useful. It can be stated that the science is a theory while
technology is a practice.

C. Society

Society is a group of individuals characterized by common interest. Society is a term originated

from Latin word “societas” which int urn was derived from the noun “socius” which means
comrade, friend, and ally that is used to describe a bond or interaction between parties that are
friendly or at least civil. The society is said to be responsible for demanding in science and benefits
from technology.

III. Relationship between Science, Technology, and Society

Science both seeks to improve the current knowledge about the natural world that can are
beneficial for both the advancement of technology and human knowledge. Technology, in turn,
demands more about the fundamental of the natural world to produce a product that will make life
easier in the society. Society also demands more in science and benefits from technology.

Figure 1. Relationship between Science, Technology, and Society

Summary

1. STS or Science, Technology, and Society is an interdisciplinary field that studies how society,
politics, and culture affect scientific research and technological innovation, and how these, in turn,
affect society, politics and culture.

2. Science is a body of knowledge that study the natural world based on facts learned through
experiments and observation. Technology is an application of science put into practical use to
solve problems or invent useful tools. Society is a group of individuals where science and
technology serve its purpose.

3. The pursuit of science to knowledge in our natural world results to technology that has
practical purposes for the needs of the society.

Reference

1. Serafica, J. [Link]. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Rex Printing Company, Inc.,
First Edition, 2018.

2. Quinto, E.J.M. & Nieva, A.D. (2019). Science, Technology, and Society Outcome-Based
Module Courseware Ready. E-Publishing Inc.
Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
Hand-out#2 : Historical Antecedents of Science and Technology
Prepared by : John Dave A. Dicuangco and Donalyn M. Garcia

Lesson Objectives

• Explain the historical antecedents in science and technology and give major examples of
inventions throughout different periods;
• Give Philippine scientific and technological inventions and discuss how society shaped
and were shaped by it.

Discussion

I. History of Development of Science and Technology across three historical periods

The history of the development of science and technology is one of the important concerns in
studying the subject Science, Technology, and Society. It reveals how the scientific and
technological innovations have changed across time and explores its impacts on the prevailing
social, cultural, political, and economic contexts. Moreover, it also shows the conditions that
shaped it that pertains to the historical antecedents of science and technology development.

Antecedents pertain to the precursor to the unfolding or existence of something. Meaning,

historical antecedents in science and technology are the factors that paved the way for the presence
of advanced and sophisticated innovations. Background insights in the history of science and
technology allow us to assess these innovations. Understanding the causes (how previous
generations influenced the innovations) and effects (how innovations influenced the previous
generations), we can have proper decision and determine its appropriate application in our daily
life.

Necessity is the mother of inventions and innovations. Although science and technology affect the
society through addition of existing knowledge and changing the view of how natural world works,
society also influences the product of science and technology.

A. Ancient Period

Ancient period (estimated 3000 BC to 500 AD) is the start of early civilization that also gave rise
to the major advancement of science and technology. These advances also allowed the civilization
to flourish through establishing better ways of communication, transportation, self-organization,
and of living in general. Here are some of the important inventions during Ancient period.

● Ancient wheel. Prior to its development, ancient people are using animals for
transportation. Up to this date, the creator of the concepts behind the wheels is unknown.
Still, there is a general agreement that ancient wheel grew out of a mechanical device called
 as the “potter’s wheel”, which is a heavy flat disk made of hardened clay which was spun
horizontally on an axis. It is often credited that the Sumerian civilization invented the wheel
since no other simultaneous civilization used a similar device at the time. Nonetheless, it
would not be until 1000 to 1500 years later than the wheel was first used on carts.
● Paper. Around 3000 BC, ancient Egyptian civilization began writing on papyrus which is
a material similar to a thick paper. The word “papyrus” came from its plant material
component where it was derived, Cyperus papyrus. There are several advantages of using
papyrus in writing, it is lightweight, strong, durable, and importantly it is portable. This is
in compare of their tradition where writing was done on stone. The rise of papyrus
invention allows the people to have efficient, widespread, and vast documentation and
record-keeping which are very important for information dissemination. Additionally, they
were able to create a way of writing called as hieroglyphics.
● Shadoof or Shaduf. Shadoof is a tool invented for irrigation of land purposes. As a
civilization near the Nile River, they utilized the water in the Nile to water their crops.
Shadoof is a hand operated used to lift water. It is a product of the lever concepts which
allows lifting things using counterweights. It can be considered that the shadoof is the
precursor of irrigation tools maintaining the supply of water for crops.
● Antikythera mechanism. Even before the invention of the computer, the first analog
computer can be traced back to ancient period. Discovered in 1902, Antikythera
mechanism resembles a mantel clock. Eventually, it was revealed to predict complicated
astronomical positions and eclipses in advance way. It is still a mystery how did the Greeks
able to create or possess advance tools.
● Aeolipile. Also known as Hero’s engine, aeolipile is a steam-powered turbine which spun
when the water container at its center was heated. It is not clear whether aeolipile served
any practical purpose but it is considered as the ancient precursor for steam engine.

B. Medieval Period

Medieval period (5th century AD to 15th century AD) started between the collapse of Roman
empire and colonial expansion of Western Europe. Another successful development also occurred
this time to science and technology. Steady increase of new inventions, introduction of innovation
in traditional production, and emergence of scientific thinking and method take place. Middle Ages
is not as suggested by its alternate names such as “Middle Ages” or “Dark Period”. In fact,
numerous universities at the time inspired scientific thinking and built infrastructures for scientific
communities to grow. Some of the humanity’s important technologies were shaped by and can be
traced back to the historical antecedents in the Middle Ages.

● Heavy Plough. The greatest and important technological innovations in the field of
agriculture is the development of the heavy plough. In Middle Ages, clay soils are
considered as more fertile than other soil, however, the weight of the clay is the main
problem for the cultivation. To address this, heavy plough was invented to became possible
to harness clay soil. The heavy plough turned the European agriculture and economy on its
 head since the heavy, fatty, and moist clay soils able to give them greatest yield and
economic prosperity.
● Gunpowder. Around 850 BC, Chinese alchemists accidently invented black powder or gun
powder. Other suggested that the gunpowder is intended to invent the elixir of life called
as huoyao (fire potion). Before the gunpowder was invented, swords and spears are the
primary weapons for battles and wars. From the invention of gunpowder, a series of
development can be observed for more advanced warfare including fiery arrows, cannons,
guns, and even grenades. It ushered in an unprecedented advancement in warfare and
combat throughout the Middle Ages.
● Paper money. Although it was not until 17th century that bank notes began to be used in
Europe, the first known versions of the concept of money can be traced back to early 17th
century in China which uses paper money as an offshoot of the invention of block printing
(similar to stamping). Before the introduction of paper money, precious metals and barter
system exist. The idea and use of paper money as a replacement for a value was not easily
accepted. Eventually, the traders realized the advantage of using paper money since it is
easier to transport compared to precious metals and to replace unlike in barter system.
● Mechanical clock. Timekeeping and time recording is sure to be developed during ancient
times. However, it was not until Middle Ages that clockwork technology was developed
for accurately keeping the track of time. Due to the advancement and sophistication,
mechanical clocks were produced that drastically changed the establishment of the way
days were spent and work patterns.
● Spinning wheel. Spinning wheel is a machine used for transforming fiber into thread or
yarn and eventually woven into cloth on a loom. Although there is no consensus in the
development of spinning wheel, it is theorized that the Indians invented in between of 6th
to 11th century AD. Before the spinning wheel was developed, weaving was done
predominantly through laborious and time-consuming process of hand spinning. The
spinning wheel ushered a breakthrough in linen production in Europe in 13th century AD.

C. Modern Period

As the world population steadily increased, people of the Modern Period (15th century to present)
realized the utmost importance of increasing the efficiency of transportation, communication, and
production. Industrialization took place with greater risks in human health, food safety, and
environment which had to be addressed as scientific and technological progress unfolded at an
unimaginable speed.

● Compound Microscope. A Dutch spectacle maker named Zacharias Janssen is credited

for the invention of the first in 1590. Together with his father Hans Janssen, Zacharias
began experiment with lenses by putting together several lenses on a tube. This led to an
amazing discovery that an object, when placed near the end of the tube, can be magnified
far larger than simple microscope. Compound microscope was an important progression in
the fields of medicine, forensic studies, tissue analysis, atomic studies, and genetics.
 ● Telescope. Perhaps the single, most important technological invention in the study of
astronomy during the Modern period was the practical telescope invented by Galileo
Galilei. This invention could magnify objects 20 times more than the perspective glasses
existed before it. It was Galileo who first used telescope skyward that led to the discoveries
and identification of astronomical bodies (planets, stars, asteroids) and its parts (craters and
mountain). During this time, the idea that the universe is far larger than humans can
imagined and Earth is far smaller when compared to it, is clear.
● Jacquard Loom. As the Industrial revolution reached full speed, the Jacquard loom was
considered as one of the most critical drivers of the revolution. Jacquard Loom is built by
Joseph Marie Jacquard that simplifies textile manufacturing. Prior to its invention, a
drawloom was used which required two individuals to operate (weaver and drawboy) As
such, intensified manual labor and greater effort had to be exerted to produce complex
designs. In 1801, Jacquard also demonstrated the ingenuity of his own invention in which
series of cards with punched holes automatically created complex textile designs and made
mass production easier. The Jacquard loom can be considered as an important antecedent
of modern computer technology as it able to show use of punched cards to instruct a
machine to carry out complex tasks- making different textile patterns.
● Engine-powered airplane. Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright (familiar as the Wright
brothers) are credited for designing and successfully operating the first engine-powered
aircraft. Wright brothers approached the design of powered aircraft and flight scientifically.
Orvill and Wilbur proved that the aircrafts could fly without airfoil-shaped wings. They
were able to demonstrate this in their original Flying Machine patent (US Patent #821393)
showing that slightly-tilted wings, which they referred to as aeroplanes, were the key
features of a powered aircraft. Their aircraft created additional knowledge about the
aerodynamics and comprehensive understanding of the working of aircraft wings. Wright
brothers were brilliant scientists who paved the way for modern aircraft technology.
● Television. The Scottish engineer John Logie Baird is largely credited for the invention of
modern television. Baird successfully televised objects in outline in 1924, recognizable
faces in 1925, and moving objects in 1926, and projected colored images in 1928. Baird’s
television technology caught in really swifty. In fact, the British Broadcasting Corporation
used this for its earliest television programming in 1929. Despite being the first television
invented, Baird’s television was later on criticized for its fuzzy and flickering images,
primarily because it was mechanical compared to electronic versions that were developed
much later.

II. Science and Technology in the Philippines

The Philippines boasts of, its own history and tradition of scientific and technological innovations.
Filipinos have long been known for their ingenuity. As with all other inventions, necessity has
always been the mother of Philippine inventions. Most of these inventions appealed to the unique
social and cultural context of the archipelagic nation. Throughout the Philippine history, Filipinos
are responsible for developing many scientific and technological innovations focused on
navigations, traditional shipbuilding, textiles, food processing, indigenous arts and techniques, and
even cultural inventions. The following are some of the most important inventions by Filipino
scientists

Popular Inventions invented by Filipino Scientists

● Electronic Jeepney (E-jeepney). Jeepney is one of the most recognizable national symbols
in the Philippines. Jeepneys are product of designed and improvised from scratch out of
military jeeps that the Americans left in the country after World War II. As demand for
more responsive transportation technology arose, the e-jeepney was introduced in Metro
Manila and Bacolod City. The e-jeepney is the inventive response to criticisms to the
traditional jeepney that belched smoke, directly contributing to the air pollution. E-jeepney
are designed to become environmentally friendly, removal of noise and air pollution, and
economical for electricity.
● Erythromycin. In the fields of medicine, A Filipino scientist named Abelardo Aguilar was
able to invent antibiotic called as erythromycin that is specific for the strain of
Streptomyces erythreus from which the drug derived its name. However, Aguilar was not
credited for the discovery. Aguilar’s US employer, the Eli Lilli Co., to whom he sent the
strain for separation, eventually owned all the credits
● Medical Incubator. World-renowned Filipino pediatrician and national scientist, Fe del
Mundo, is credited for the invention of the incubator and jaundice relieving device. Del
Mundo was the first woman pediatrician to be admitted to the prestigious Harvard
University’s School of Medicine. She is also the founder of the first pediatric hospital in
the country. Her pioneering work in pediatrics that spanned a total of eight decades won
her the 1977 Ramon Magsaysay Award Asia’s premiere prize granted to outstanding
individuals whose selfless service remarkably contributed to the betterment of society. Her
original improvised incubator consisted of two native laundry baskets of different sizes that
are placed one inside the other. Warmth is generated by bottles with hot water placed
around the baskets. A makeshift hood over the baskets allows oxygen to circulate inside
the incubator. Del Mundo’s incubator was particularly outstanding as it addresses the state
of Philippine rural communities that had no electricity to aid the regulation of body
temperatures of newborn babies.
● Mole Remover. In 2000, a local invention that had the ability to remove moles and warts
on the skin without the need for any surgical procedure was invented by Rolando dela Cruz.
The remover is made from extracts of cashew nuts (Annacardium occidentale), which are
very common in the Philippines. The indigenous formula easily caught on for its
accessibility, affordability, painless, and scar-less procedure. For this invention, Dela Cruz
won a gold medal in the International Invention, Innovation, Industrial Design, and
Technological Exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2000.
 ● Banana ketchup. Food technologist, Maria Orosa, is credited for the invention of banana
ketchup. Ketchup is always associated with and derived from tomatoes. Meanwhile, her
invention appeals particularly to Filipinos who love condiments to go along with their food.
Orosa developed the ketchup at the backdrop of World War II that resulted in a shortage
of tomatoes. Banana ketchup includes mashed banana, sugar, vinegar, and spices. Orosa’s
banana ketchup is brownish-yellow in natural color, but a dyed red was added to resemble
its color.

● Karaoke Machine. Filipino inventor Roberto del Rosario is recognized for patenting the
karaoke machine, which he called the "Sing-Along System," in 1975. His invention
featured a compact amplifier, a microphone mixer, and a voice-enhancing feature, making
it a precursor to the widely popular karaoke machines used globally. The invention utilized
"minus one" technology, which removed vocals from pre-recorded songs, allowing people
to sing along. While there were earlier karaoke prototypes, del Rosario's version gained
widespread popularity, especially in the Philippines, and contributed to karaoke becoming
a global phenomenon. He even sued Japanese companies for patent infringement in the
1990s, with the Philippine Supreme Court recognizing his ownership of the patent.

Summary

1. The development of science and technology can be traced back to early times. Three different
time spans (Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Period) show remarkable advancement of science and
technology. Moreover, the society, which are the benefactors, influenced the innovations
according to their needs.

2. Similar with other parts of the world, Philippines also developed and still develops their science
and technology. Various Filipino scientists were able to contribute to its development.

References

1. Serafica, J. [Link]. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Rex Printing Company, Inc.,
First Edition, 2018.

2. Quinto, E.J.M. & Nieva, A.D. Science, Technology, and Society. C&E Bookshop
Publishing.