Introduction to Science,

Technology and Society and its

theories

STS Lesson 1
Learning Objectives:
 To define S&T,
 To identify/enumerate the different
roles of S&T
• What are Science, Technology and society,
and why should people want to study and
learn it?
• Why should students, teachers,
researchers and other professionals have
interest in the subject?
• Primarily, we need some background and
understanding of the significance of
science and technology in the living past
and their importance in the modern world
(Mosteiro,2004)
 What is science?
• Learning new facts
(discoveries)

https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=science+definition&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&s
qi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjPmKTR_tfTAhUIx7wKHYmdBcgQ_AUIBigB&biw=1366&bih=645&dp
r=1#tbm=isch&q=science+cartoon+images&imgrc=pl2P7ZVhw71-bM:
 What is science?

• Solving
problems
(scientific
method)

https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=science+definition&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2
&ved=0ahUKEwjPmKTR_tfTAhUIx7wKHYmdBcgQ_AUIBigB&biw=1366&bih=645&dpr=1#tbm
=isch&q=climate+change+cartoon&imgrc=pUolAkl0HhjWJM:
What is science?
• the intellectual and
practical activity
encompassing the
systematic study of
the structure and
behavior of the physical
and natural world
through observation
and experiment –
Oxford dictionary
https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=science+definition&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2
&ved=0ahUKEwjPmKTR_tfTAhUIx7wKHYmdBcgQ_AUIBigB&biw=1366&bih=645&dpr=1#tbm
=isch&q=science+definition+cartoon&imgrc=CyB2anvUE1EUzM:
 What is technology?
• Creating/inventing things

https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=science+definition&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sq
i=2&ved=0ahUKEwjPmKTR_tfTAhUIx7wKHYmdBcgQ_AUIBigB&biw=1366&bih=645&dpr=
1#tbm=isch&q=technology&imgrc=62wfRSqF1RgKtM:
What is technology?

• Things that fulfill our

needs and desires or
perform certain
functions
• Application of
understanding of
natural laws to the
solution of
practical problems
DEFINITIONS OF SCIENCE
SCIENCE IS A PROCESS
a. Concerned with discovering relationships between
observable phenomena in terms of theories.
a. Systematized theoretical inquiries
b. It seeks for truth about nature.
c. It is determined by observation, hypothesis,
measurement, analysis and experimentation
d. It is the description and explanation of the development
of knowledge
e. It is the study of the beginning and end of everything
that exist.
f. Conceptualization of new ideas, from the abstract to the
particular.
g. Kind of human cultural activity.
DEFINITIONS OF SCIENCE
SCIENCE IS A PRODUCT
a. Systematized, organized body of knowledge based
on facts or truths observations.
b. A set of logical and empirical methods which provide f
or the systematic observation of empirical phenomena.
c. Source of cognitive authority.
d. Concerned with verifiable concepts
e. A product of the mind
f. It is the variety of knowledge, people, skills,
organizations, facilities, techniques, physical
resources, methods and technologies that taken
together and in relation with one another.
How does the Scientific Method
operate?
• The scientific method is a mental process which
serves as the “tool” of scientist with which new
discoveries are made Although the scientific
method is traditionally characterized as a rigid
mental process consisting of
(a) observation,
(b) problem identification,
(c) hypothesis formulation, and
(d) drawing of conclusions as to the possible
validity of the prediction.
DEFINITIONS OF TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY AS A PROCESS
a. It is the application of science.
b. The practice, description, and terminology of applied
sciences.
c. The intelligent organization and manipulation of materials
for useful purposes.
d. The means employed to provide for human needs and
wants.
e. Focused on inventing new or better tools and materials or
new and better ways of doing things.
f. A way of using findings of science to produce new things for
a better way of living
g. Search for concrete solutions that work and give
wanted results.
h. It is characteristically calculative and imitative, tends to be
dangerously manipulative.
i. Form of human cultural activity.
DEFINITIONS OF TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY AS A PRODUCT
a. A system of know-how, skills, techniques and
processes.
b. Like a language, rituals, values, commerce and arts,
it is an intrinsic part of a cultural system and it both
shapes and reflects the system values.
c. It is the product of the scientific concept
d. The complex combination of knowledge, materials
and methods.
e. Material products of human making or fabrication.
f. Total societal enterprise.
DEFINITIONS OF SCEINCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
1. A field of endeavor upon which a two-
way interaction operates between science and technology.
2. Interdependent and overlapping methods which employ
both existing knowledge and existing know-how.
3. A system of know-how, skills, techniques and processes
which enable society to produce, distribute, install,
maintain or improve goods and services needed to satisfy
human needs.
4. Is an interdisciplinary field of study that seeks to explore
and understand the many ways that modern science and
technology shape modern culture, values and institutions,
and how modern values shape science and technology.
PURPOSES OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
1. To improve quality of human condition.
2. To provide solution to our practical problems.
3. To establish relevant institutional linkages and
essential mechanisms
4. To develop individual knowledge.
5. To find order in the chaos of nature and deliver
personal and social liberation
6. To give an information and explanation of the natural
world
7. To develop new areas of knowledge
8. To combat irrationality.
9. To maintain the availability of natural resources
LIMITATIONS OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
1. Epistemological concerns. It cannot help us with questions
about the God, the ultimate Good, and Truth. It cannot deny
nor confirm the existence of God, soul, heaven and other
uncertainties.
2. Metaphysical concerns. Immaterial and
transcendental nature is beyond the grasp
of scientific inquiry. It cannot speak to issues of
ultimate origin, meaning, or morality.
3. Axiological concerns. It cannot answer questions about value.
4. Dependent on the values and personal beliefs of those
who use it.
5.Use of natural resources that are being used in science and
technology are limited
6.Data is limited to the physically observable.
LIMITATIONS OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
7. Ultimately rest on past observations
8. Not all of its principles are applicable to different
world phenomena.
9. Needs human intervention to carry out its functions
properly
10.It can predict forces of nature but it cannot prevent t
he prevent the prevalence/occurrence
11.Can not guarantee an ultimate solution to any
specific problem.
12.Can not fully explain what is in the mind of a person.
Reflection:
What is the role of S&T in your life?
Activity 1: “Standing on the Shoulders
of Giants”
• What are the major achievements of S&T in the
ancient, middle and modern ages? How about in the
Philippines?
• group activity
• Each group chooses at least 5 major achievement of
the assigned period (as much as possible,
achievements come from different fields)
• Draw it and report on how it works and what pushed
it to be invented or achieved (historical antecedent)
• Time limit: 2 mins per invention (max)