Module 1: General Concepts and Historical 
Development 
 
Table of Contents 
 
Introduction 3 
Paulinian Essential Elements 3 
Paulinian Affirmation 4 

Topic 1: Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society 4 

Learning Outcomes 4 
Learning Activities 4 
Introduction 4 
The Effects of Science and Technology to the Society 4 
Where Science and Technology Is Taking the Society 5 
Activity 1: Myths of Science 6 
Activity 2: Group Sharing 7 
Processing 7 
Activity 3: Think-Pair-Share 7 
Formation 8 
Synthesis 8 
Assessments 9 
Assignment 9 

Topic 2: World History 10 

Learning Outcomes 10 
Learning Activities 10 
Introduction 10 
Science and Technology in Different Periods 10 
Processing 14 
Formation 15 
Synthesis 15 
Activity 1: Artwork Presentation 15 
Assessments 16 
Assignment 16 

 
    
Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 

Topic 3: Philippine History 17 

Learning Outcomes 17 
Learning Activities 17 
Introduction 17 
Historical Background of Science and Technology in the Philippines 17 
Activity 1: Roleplay Activity 22 
Processing 23 
Formation 23 
Synthesis 23 
Assessments 24 
Assignment 24 

Topic 4: Enlightenment in the 17th Century 25 

Learning Outcomes 25 
Learning Activities 25 
Introduction 25 
The Age of Enlightenment 25 
Copernican Revolution 25 
Darwinian Revolution 26 
Freudian Revolution 27 
Information Age (1970–present) 29 
Mesoamerican Period (1200 BC–3rd Century AD) 30 
Middle East (17th Century) 31 
African Revolution 32 
Activity 1: The Effects of Science 33 
and Technology to Society 33 
Processing 34 
Formation 34 
Synthesis 35 
Assessments 35 
Assignment 35 

Topic 5: Science, Technology, and Nation Building 36 

Learning Outcomes 36 
Learning Activities 36 
Introduction 36 
The Concept of Nation Building 36 
 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 

Science and Technology in Nation Building: Global Perspective 37 

Science and Technology in Philippine Nation Building 40 
The Philippine Government Science and Technology 44 
Major Development Programs and Personalities in Science and Technology in 
the Philippines 48 
Science Education in the Philippines 51 
Selected Indigenous Science and Technologies 54 
Activity 1: Philippine Science and Technology: Where Are We Going? 56 
Processing 57 
Formation 57 
Synthesis 58 
Assessments 58 
Assignment 60 

Reflection Guide 61 

Expanded Opportunities 61 

Reference 62 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 

  Introduction 
 

 
Science Technology Society 

 
Science,  technology,  and  society  have  an  effect  on  the  everyday  life  of  every  single  person. 
From  the  ancient  past  to  the  modern  present,  the  significant  contribution  and  effects  of 
science  and  technology  to  the  society  is  traceable.  Many  inventions,  discoveries,  and 
innovations  had  helped  and  made  changes  in  the  lives  of  man.  In  early  days  man  used 
simple  things  he  found  in  his  environment,  lived  a  very  simple  life.  He  ate  food  that nature 
provided.  Man  had  wondered  of  the  many  things  that  happened  around  him.  Man  did  not 
stop  until  he  found  answers  to his. queries. Fire was discovered and primitive tools evolved. 
Inventions  of  electricity,  transportation,  communication,  and  high-tech  machines  that 
replaced  man  in  agricultural  work  had  made  a  very  big  impact  in  man’s  life  and  at  large  in 
the  society  he  lived  in.  The  present  time  is  quite  different  from  the  ancient  times.  Science 
has  contributed  a  very  significant  change.  It  has  produced  many  things  that  make  life  easy 
and relaxed. Our society today is what science has brought us. 
 

  Paulinian Essential Elements 

 
Cutting-Edge, Resilient Visionaries, and Innovators ​who 
● anticipate  potential  social  and  technological  changes  and  proactively  pursue  fruitful 
ways of responding to them, 
● gather  information  on  emerging  trends  in  their  field  and  propose  novel  ways  they 
could incorporate them into their work, 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
● develop  ideas  for  innovations  in  their  field,  testing  meticulously  their  feasibility  and 
utility, and 
● look  beyond  conventional  approaches  to  challenges  in  their  field  and  Identify 
creative ways these could be addressed. 
 

  Paulinian Affirmation 
“As  a  Christ-centered  Paulinian,  I  am  a  ​cutting-edge​,  resilient  ​visionary​,  and  ​innovator​, 
demonstrating my creativity and charism.” 
 
 

Topic 1: Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society   

 

  Learning Outcomes 
During the learning engagement, you should be able to 
● identify the importance of studying science, technology and society, 
● explain how science and technology relates to a problem of societal concern, and 
● develop a deeper interest in the field of science, technology and society. 
 

  Learning Activities 
 
Introduction 
 
The Effects of Science and Technology to the Society 
In  2011  to  2015,  Research  and  Development  (R&D)  as  a  component  of  project  planning  of 
the  Department  of  Science  and  Technology  (DOST)  got  the  highest  budget  allocation  with 
₱1.433  billion  in  2011  to  ₱3.802  billion  in  2015.  The  government  has  given  this  much  of 
budget  to  the  department  because  of  the  significant  role  research  and  development in this 

 
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field  plays  basically  in  industrialization  and  commercialization  that  can  help  improve  the 
economy of the country. 
 
As  much  as  this  is  of  great  help  in  the  economic growth of any progressing nation, the total 
effect  of  Science  and  Technology  (S&T)  in  the  life  of  all  men  should  not  be  neglected.  It  is 
fairly  obvious  how  S&T  has  improved  man’s  way  of  life  but  it  is  also  notable  how  it  has 
caused  harm  to  both  the  environment  and  people.  Air,  water,  and  land  become  polluted 
which  in  turn  causes  many  health  problems.  Imbalanced  in  the  ecosystem  has  also  caused 
other  species  to be extinct causing changes in the environment and the climate as well. Men 
have  become  more  fearless  in  their  pursuit  for  riches and power because of the creation of 
different  destructive  devices  like  guns,  explosives,  and  nuclear  power.  Not  only  that  these 
inventions  are  dangerous  in  themselves,  these  have  also  caused  man  to  be  even  more 
dangerous. 
 
Students  of  this  course  are  invited  to  be  responsible  citizens  to  the  country  by  making 
themselves  aware  of  how  S&T  is  bringing  about  change.  It  is  calling  every  individual  who 
actually  takes  part  in  the  development  of  S&T  and  experiences  the  effects  of  it  to 
understand how it has shaped and shaping society. 
 
Where Science and Technology Is Taking the Society 
For  the  past  centuries,  science  and  technology  has  marked  a great progress in society. Man 
has  benefited  much  from  the  advances  made  with  land,  water,  air  and  animals.  Machines 
and  tools  have  made  living  so  much  easier.  Communication  and  transportation, 
infrastructures and agriculture have become more convenient. 
 
But  science  and  technology  in  itself  cannot  and  would  not  exist without the society. It is the 
society  that  allows  for  the  discoveries  and  inventions  to  take  place.  It  is  the  society  that 
decides  how  science  and  technology  is  to  be  utilized  and  yet  society  needs  science  and 
technology  in  order  to  continue  on.  National  progress  now  relies  so  much  on  science  and 
technology  in  the  area  of  industry,  health  care,  national  security,  and  environmental 
protection. 
 

 
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Inasmuch  as  science  and  technology  is  taking  society  towards  progress  and  development, 
the  risks  and  dangers  that  come  with  it  should  not  be  taken  lightly  and  accepted  blindly. 
Everyone  should  have  keen  eyes  and  observe  closely  where  science  and  technology  are 
taking  society.  Students  of S&T should be the guardians of the society. Not only being aware 
of  how  S&T  is shaping the society but they can be partakers in keeping the balance between 
the benefits and dangers of science and technology. 
 

Activity 1: Myths of Science   30 minutes 

 
Instructions​: 
1. Have  a  perpersonal  assessment  of  your  understanding  of  the  nature  of  science 
based on the 12 statements below. 
2. Reflect  on  and  decide  if  each  statement  is  true  or  false,  and  write  2–3  sentences 
justifying your answers. You will be given 30–45 minutes to finish the activity. 
 

Myths of Science 

Direction​: Each statement below is about science. Some statements are true and some 
are false. On the line in front of each statement, write T if it is true and F if it is 
false. Then support your response to each statement with at least one 
paragraph on a separate sheet of paper. 
 
_______1. Science is a system of beliefs. 
_______2. Most scientists are men because males are better at scientific thinking. 
_______3. Scientists rely heavily on imagination to carry out their work. 
_______4. Scientists are totally objective in their work. 
_______5. The scientific method is the accepted guide for conducting research. 
_______6. Experiments are carried out to prove cause-and-effect relationships. 
_______7. All scientific ideas are discovered and tested by controlled experiments. 
_______8. A hypothesis is an educated guess. 
_______9. When a theory has been supported by a great deal of scientific evidence, it 
becomes a law. 
_______10. Scientific ideas are tentative and can be modified or disproved but never 
proved. 
_______11. Technology preceded science in the history of civilization. 
_______12. In time, science can solve most of society’s problems. 

 
 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 

Activity 2: Group Sharing   15 minutes 

 
Instructions​: 
1. Divide your class into eight groups. 
2. Compare and discuss your answers in activity 1 among your group mates. 
3. Select a group representative to present your opinions including dissenting opinions. 
 
Processing 
Your  teacher  will  go  through  each  statement from activity 1 to process the responses. Write 
your disagreement to the statement(s) if there is any. Indicate the statement number. 

Activity 3: Think-Pair-Share   30 minutes 

 
Instructions​:  
1. Your teacher will assign you a topic title for this activity. Write the topic title below.  
Title: _______________________________________________________________________ 
 
2. List the required information in the following areas as indicated. 
 

What My  What We 

What I Thought 
Problem  Partner Thought  Decided to 
about the Topic 
about the Topic  Share 

1. Why do you think the 

society readily accepts 
the benefits of science 
and technology even       
though negative results 
also come out from 
them? 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 

2. How is science and 

technology affecting the       
growth of a nation? 

 
Formation 

Instruction​: Answer the following questions: 

1. As a science, technology, and society student, how will you uphold your Paulinian 
identity considering the many influences technologies have brought to the society 
you live in? 

 
2. As a science, technology, and society student, how can you be guardians of the 
society? Cite concrete examples 

 
Synthesis 
1. Considering the explanation for each statement, state your concept of science. 

 
 

2. What did science and technology contribute to the growth of the society? How did it 
affect the life of the community? 

 
 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
 

  Assessments 
Direction​: Answer the following questions: 
1. What is the importance of studying science, technology, and society? 

 
 
 
2. How does science and technology address the problems of the society? 

 
 
 

  Assignment 
Instruction​:  Submit  a  graphic  organizer  (fishbone model) on the historical timeline of science 
and technology. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 

Topic 2: World History   

 

  Learning Outcomes 
During the learning engagement, you should be able to 
● explain the historical timeline of science and technology, 
● analyze  the  difference  between  the  different  periods  involved  in the development of 
science and technology, and 
● synthesize  and  create  your  own  definition  of  science  and  technology  based  on  the 
discussion in this module. 
 

  Learning Activities 
 
Introduction 
 
Science and Technology in Different Periods  

Ancient Period 
Accumulation  of  knowledge  and  passing  it  from  generation  to  generation  has  begun  when 
the  modern  humans  evolved  from  their  hominid  ancestors.  They  used  stones  as  tools, and 
then  learned  how  to  shape  stones  to  make  more  efficient  tools.  As  the  tools  improved,  so 
people  were able to use them to fashion weapons and other artifacts from bone, antler, and 
wood.  They  also  learned  how  to  capture  fire  from  natural  sources  such  as  wildfires,  and 
later  to  make  fire  for  themselves  by  using  the  heat  generated  by  friction  or  sparks  from 
stones, or by concentrating the sun’s heat. 
 
Medieval Period (500–1400) 
The  Medieval  Period  also  known  as  “Dark  Age”  is  considered  to  be  one  of  the  creative 
periods  in  the  history  of  humans  and  said  to  be  the  start  of  the  first  industrial  revolution. 
The  term  “Dark  Age”  came  up  because  there  are  few  written  records  remaining  from  the 

 
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said  era.  There  was  very  little  evidence  that  will  support  that  there  was  progress  in  the 
society during the periods 500–1400. 
  
After  the fall of Rome, there was a period of readjustment where medieval society was more 
concerned  with  keeping  peace  and  empire  building  than  nurturing  centers  for  learning. 
However,  Charlemagne,  a  medieval  emperor  tried  to  establish  a  scholastic  tradition  which 
resulted  in  the  advancements  in  the  philosophy  of  science  and  the  refinement  of  the 
scientific method. 
 
This  was  the  time  for  discovering  great  new  inventions  in  science  and  technology  such  as 
the  invention  of  vertical  windmills,  spectacles,  mechanical  clocks,  greatly  improved  water 
mills,  building  techniques  like  the  Gothic  style  and  three-field  crop  rotation.  One  of  the 
greatest  inventions  during  this  period  was  the  printing  press  of  Johannes  Gutenberg  in  the 
15th century.  
 
Renaissance 
Renaissance is the period of rebirth. The greatest achievement during this period in Western 
Europe  was  the  technology  of  printing  books  and  other  documents  which  helped  in  the 
rapid spread of knowledge and information and preservation of culture.  
   
Renaissance  connects  the  period  of  the  Middle  Ages  to  modern  history.  It  is  closely 
connected  with  Italy  in  the  14th  century.  Many  historians  think  of  the  Renaissance  as  an 
intellectual and cultural movement rather than a historical period.  
  
During  this  period,  printing  with  movable  type  allowed  Bibles,  secular  books,  printed music 
and  more  to  be  made  in  larger  amounts  and  reach  more  people.  Wood  printing  first  came 
to  the  West  from  China  during the year 1250–1350, papermaking originated from China has 
reached  to  12th-century  Spain,  and  the  new  printers’  ink  originated  from  Flemish  oil 
painting.  Without  the  printing  press  communication  revolution  would  not  happen  and  it 
would not transform the condition of life. 
 
Nicolaus  Copernicus  made  one  of  science’  greatest  It  was  a  major  breakthrough  in  the 
history of science, though the Catholic Church banned Copernicus’ book. 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
Galileo  Galilei  was  also  a  major  Renaissance  scientist  persecuted  for  his  scientific 
experiments.  He  improved  the  telescope,  discovered  new  celestial  bodies  and  found 
support  for  a  heliocentric  solar  system.  He  conducted  motion  experiments  on  pendulums 
and falling objects that paved the way for Newton’s discoveries about gravity. 
 
Industrial Revolution 
Industrial  revolution  is  the  phenomenal  process  in  the  transfer  of  doing  work  by  human 
hands  and  feet  to  the  use  of  machines.  It  began  in  Great  Britain and spread across Europe, 
America  and  Asia  from  1760  to  1840.  It  was  a  fundamental  change  in  the  way  goods  were 
produced,  and  altered  the  way  people  lived.  The  Industrial  Revolution  was  a  time  of 
scientific and technological advancement. 
 
One  of  the  major  setbacks  of  the  Industrial  Revolution  was  skilled  workers  were  set  aside 
because  operation  of  new  machines  was  used.  The  companies  hired  women  and  children 
increasingly  which  costs  lower  than  of  the  skilled  workers.  Physical  labor  was  changed  into 
machine-operated devices. 
 
Three  important  technologies  can  be  identified  that  formed  the  foundations  of  the  first 
Industrial Revolution namely: iron production, steam engine and textiles. 
 
The  steam  engine  was  used  to  run  machines  and  made  a  major  contribution  to  the  first 
industrial  revolution.  The development and refinement of machine tools by Henry Maudslay 
and  Joseph  Whitworth  played  a  key  and  crucial  part  in  the  later  phase  of  the first industrial 
revolution  as  machine  tool  technology enabled standardized manufacturing machines to be 
fabricated. 
 
Some  of the greatest inventions during this period was Robert Fulton’s steamboat, light bulb 
by  Thomas  Edison,  telephone  patented  by  Alexander  Graham  Bell,  and  the development of 
the first steam-powered locomotive by George Stephenson. 
 
19th Century 
The  19th  century  witnessed  the  rise  of  modern  industry,  from  agriculture  to  industrial 
manufacturing  and  technology-intensive  services.  The  invention  of  usable  electricity,  steel, 

 
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and  petroleum  products  led  into  a  second  Industrial  Revolution.  This  century  was 
considered to be the age of machine tools.  
   
During the 19th century science also made great progress. 
● John  Dalton  (1766–1844)  published  his  atomic  theory  in  1803.  He  also  studied  color 
blindness. 
● Dmitri Mendeleev (1834–1907) formulated the Periodic Table of Elements. 
● Hermann  von  Helmholtz  (1812–1894)  formulated  the  law  of  the  Conservation  of 
Force in 1847. In 1851, he invented the ophthalmoscope. 
 
In the late 19th century, physics made great strides and people mastered electricity. 
● James  Clark  Maxwell  (1831-1879)  showed  that  light  is  an  electromagnetic  wave  in 
1873 and was later on proved by Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894) in 1888. 
● Henri Becquerel (1852-1908) discovered radioactivity in 1896. 
● Marie Curie (1867-1934) and Pierre Curie (1859-1906) discovered radium in 1898. 
● Joseph Thomson discovered the electron in 1897. 
● Hans  Christian  Oersted  discovered  that  electric  current  in  a  wire  caused  a  nearby 
compass needle to move in 1819. 
● Michael  Faraday  (1791-1867)  showed  that  a  magnet  can  produce  electricity  and  in 
1831 he invented the dynamo. 
● Samuel Morse invented the electric telegraph in 1837. 
 
The  steamship  revolutionized  travelling  at  sea.  By  1815,  steamships  were  crossing  the 
English  Channel.  It  used  to  take  several  weeks  to  cross  the  Atlantic.  Then  in  1838  a 
steamship  called  the  Sirius  made  the  journey  across  the  Atlantic  in  19  days.  At  the  end  of 
the 19th century, steam engines were replaced by electricity.  
 
20th Century 
Technology  was  rapidly  developed  in  the  20th  century. It enhanced the communication and 
transportation  system  of  humans  and  brought  it  closer  to  people.  Military  research  and 
development  bring  about  the  rise  of  electronic  computing  and  jet  engines.  Radio  and 
telephony  enriched  greatly  and  has  reached  a  wider  population  of  users.  Mobile  phones 
became affordable for the people in the late 2000s and early 2010s. 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
   
Some  of  the  greatest  technological  advancement  during  this  period  was  the  creation  of 
personal  computers.  Intel  developed  a  microprocessor  that  made  computers  smaller. 
Computers  have  become  a  dominant  tool  in  the  global  economy.  Steve  Jobs  and  Steve 
Wozniak  have  redefined  the  meaning  of  computers  introducing  Apple  in  1976.  World  Wide 
Web (www) was created in 1989. 
 
Automobiles  or  cars  were  introduced  in  1885  and  1886.  Exploitation  of  the  said technology 
was  made  possible  because  of  Henry  Ford  by  devising  a  system  of mass production for the 
Model  T.  Using  automobiles  as  a  form  of  transportation  has  connected  people  together 
including those in the rural areas to urban centers. 
 
One  of  the  breakthroughs  during  the  century  was  the invention of Artificial Intelligence that 
has  the capacity for a computer to perform humanlike intellectual processes and it was later 
on  developed  during  the  1940’s.  Modern  A.I.  features  specially  designed  computers  than 
can  “think”  similarly  to  humans.  A.I.  is  also  being  used  to  assist  doctors  in  making  medical 
diagnoses.  While  there  are  no  programs  or  computers  existing  today  that  can  match  the 
man’s full intellectual capacity. 
 
Processing 

Answer the following questions briefly: 

1. In  what  period  would  you  like  to  time  travel  to  make  your  own  invention?  Explain 
your answer. 

 
 
 
2. What do you think are the negative effects of science and technology advancement? 

 
 
 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
Formation 
Do you think religion will play a big role in the progression of science and technology? 
Explain your answer. 

 
Synthesis 
 

Activity 1: Artwork Presentation   30 minutes 

 
 

Materials  
● two pieces of 1/8 illustration board 
● coloring or art materials 
● ruler 
● marker 

 
Instructions​:  
1. Form six groups. 
2. Each group will be assigned one of the following topics: 
● Ancient Period 
● Medieval Period 
● Renaissance 
● Industrial Revolution 
● 19th Century 
● 20th Century 
 
3. Choose five greatest inventions on your assigned topic. 
4. Draw the five greatest inventions that you have chosen. 
5. Present and explain your work in class. 
 
 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 

  Assessments 
Direction​: Answer the following items: 
1. Explain the historical timeline of science and technology. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
2. Define  science  and  technology  in  your  own  words  based  on  the  discussion  on  this 
topic 

 
 
 
 
 
 

  Assignment 
Instruction​:  Read  about  the  historical  background  of  science  and  technology  in  the 
Philippines. Take note of the significant events. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 

Topic 3: Philippine History   

 

  Learning Outcomes 
During the learning engagement, you should be able to 
● explain the historical timeline of science and technology in the Philippines, 
● analyze the development of science and technology in the Philippines, and 
● synthesize  and  create  their  own  understanding  on  the  different periods of history of 
science and technology in the Philippines. 
 

  Learning Activities 
 
Introduction 
 
Historical Background of Science and Technology in the Philippines 

Pre-Spanish Period 
Pre-Spanish  influences  are  embedded  in  the  way  of  life  of  the  Filipino  people.  Scientific 
knowledge  is  observed  in  their  method  of  planting  their  crops  that  provide  them  food,  in 
taking care of animals which help them in their daily tasks, and food productions. 
 
Science  is  observed  in  predicting  seasons  and  climate  and  in  making  their  “calendar”  by 
observing  and  interpreting  the  movements  of  heavenly  bodies;  in  tilling  their  land  for 
agricultural purposes; and in discovering medicinal uses of plants in their environment. 
 
Science  is  used  in  building  houses, irrigations and in developing tools that they used in daily 
life such as tools for planting, hunting, cooking, and fishing; tools they used in battle or tribal 
conflicts;  and  for  transportation  both  on  water  and  on  land.  They  had  developed 
technologies in making musical instruments too 
 
. 

 
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Technology 
According  to  archeological  findings  modern  man  from  Asian  mainland  first  came  over  land 
across  narrow  channels  to  live  in  Batangas  and  Palawan  about  48,000  BC.  They  settled  in 
Sulu, Davao, Zamboanga, Samar, Negros, Batangas, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan and Cagayan. 
  
Stone Age 
They  made  simple  tools  and  weapons  of  stone  flakes  and  later  developed  methods  of 
sawing  and  polishing  stones  around  40,000  BC.  By  around  3,000  BC,  they  were  made  of 
adzes  ornaments  of  seashells  and  pottery.  Pottery  did  well  for  the  next  2,000  years  until 
they  imported  Chinese  porcelain.  Later  on  they  learned  to  produce  metal  tools  and 
ornaments made of copper, bronze, iron, and gold. 
 
Inventions 
The  Iron  Age  lasted  from  the  third  century  BC  to  the  11th  century  AD.  Early  Filipinos  were 
engaged  in  extraction,  smelting,  and  refining  of  iron  from ores, until the importation of cast 
iron from Sarawak and later from China. 
 
Iron Age 
During  this  period,  Filipinos  learned  to  weave  cotton,  make  glass  ornaments,  and  cultivate 
lowland  rice  and  dike  fields  of  terraced  fields  utilizing  spring  water  in  mountain  regions 
which  was  exemplified  by  one  of  the  finest  products  of  engineering,  the  Banaue  Rice 
Terraces.  They  also  learned  to  build  boats  for  trading  purposes  such  as  the  plank-built 
warships called caracoa which were used for inter-island trade raids. 
 
Inventions/Discoveries 
Filipinos  businessmen  from  the  Butuan  were  trading  with  Champa  (Vietnam)  and  those 
from  Ma-I  (Mindoro)  with  China  as  noted  in  Chinese  records  containing  several  references 
to  the  Philippines.  Chinese  documents  indicated  that  regular  trade  relations  between  the 
Philippines,  China  and  Vietnam  had  been  doing  well  from  the  10th  century  to  the  15th 
century AD. 
 
 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
10th century AD 
The  people  of  Ma-I  and  San-Hsu  (Palawan)  traded  bee  wax,  cotton,  pearls,  coconut  heart 
mats,  tortoise  shell  and  medicinal betel nuts, panie cloth for porcelain, leads fishnets sinker, 
colored glass beads, iron pots, iron needles and tin. 
 
Trading 
Early  Filipinos  were  already  engaged in activities and practices related to science which gave 
birth  to  primitive  technology.  They  discovered  curative  values  of  some  plants  (herbs)  and 
learned  how  to  extract  medicine  from  them.  They  had  an  alphabet,  a  system  of  writing,  a 
method  of counting and instruments for weighing and measuring. They had no calendar but 
counted the years by the period of the moon and from one harvest to another. 
 
Spanish Colonial Period  
Spaniards  had  introduced  formal  education  and  founded  scientific  institutions.  Parish 
schools  were  established  where  they  taught  religion, reading, writing, arithmetic and music. 
Natives  were  taught  more  advanced  methods  in  agriculture.  Colleges  and  universities 
around  the  country were established including the oldest university in Asia, the University of 
Sto. Tomas. 
 
Medicine  was prioritized during the Spanish colonization. The Spaniards made contributions 
in  the  field  of  engineering  by  constructing  government  establishments,  churches,  roads, 
bridges  and  forts.  Biology  was  highlighted  during  this  period.  Botanists,  chemists,  and 
medical scholars all gave contribution to the field of science. 
  
The  galleon  trade  made  a  big  impact  in the economic 
growth  of  the  Philippines.  Spaniards  gave  priority  to 
the  galleon  trade  due  to  its  potential  to  make  huge 
profits  over  agriculture  and  industrial  development. 
When  the  Suez  Canal  was  built,  visiting  each  other 
countries  for  Europeans  and  Filipinos  was  made 
possible. 
 
 

 
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American Period and Post-Commonwealth Era 
The  Americans  replaced  Spaniards  after  they  ruled  the  country  and  the progress of science 
and technology has continued under their rule. 
● The Bureau of Government Laboratories was established on 01 July 1901 to study the 
tropical diseases and laboratory projects in the country. 
● The Bureau of Science in 1905 became the primary research center of the country. 
● The  National  Research  Council  of  the  Philippines  was  established  on  08  December 
1933. 
● Institute of Science replaced the Bureau of Science in 1946.  
 
It  was  during  the  American  period  when  science  was  inclined  towards  agriculture,  food 
processing,  forestry,  medicine  and  pharmacy.  Not  much  focus  was  given  on  the 
development  of  industrial  technology  due  to  free  trade  policy  with  the  United  States  that 
nurtured the economy geared towards agriculture and trade. 
   
In  1950,  there  were  reports  made  by  the  US  Economic  Survey  about  the  Philippines’ 
problem  with  regards  to  science  and  technology  such  as  lack  of  basic  information,  no 
support,  minimal  budget  and  low  compensation.  During  the  regime  of  Carlos  P.  Garcia  in 
1958,  the  Philippine  Congress  passed the bill entitled “The Science Act of 1958” which aimed 
to establish the National Science Development Board. 
 
Marcos Era 
During  the  presidency  of  Ferdinand  Marcos  science  was  given  importance.  In  terms  of 
national  development,  priority  shall  be  given  in the advancement of science and technology 
as amended in 1973 in the Philippine Constitution. 
 
In  his  State  of  the  Nation Address, Marcos declared that there is a need for science in public 
high  schools  and  with  the  help  of  the  Department  of  Education  in  partnership  with  the 
National  Science  Development  Board  it  aims  to  provide  science-teaching  equipment  for  a 
period of 4 years. 
 
In  1968,  he  recognized  that  technology  was  the  top  reason  in  economic  development  and 
gave  extra  funds  to  support  projects  in  applied  science  and  science  education.  While  in 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
1969,  he  allotted  large  amounts  of  war  damage  funds  to  private  universities  to  encourage 
them  to  create  courses  that  focus  on  science  and  technology  and  to  research.  In  1970,  he 
emphasized  that  it  is  crucial  to  the  science  development  program  to  upgrade  the  science 
curriculum and teaching equipment. 
 
Ferdinand  E.  Marcos  declared  Presidential  Decree  No.  49,  series  of  1972  supporting  the 
promotion  of  scientific  research  and  invention.  PAGASA  was  established  to  give 
environmental  protection  and  to  utilize  scientific  knowledge  to  ensure  the  safety  of  the 
nation.  The  National  Academy  of  Science  and  Technology  (NAST)  was  also  established  in 
1976 to encourage scientists who are experts in science and technology. 
   
In  1986,  he  established  campuses  of  Philippine  Science  High  School  in  the  Visayas  and 
Mindanao  to  encourage  the  youth  in  these  areas  to  choose  a  career  in  science  and 
technology and tap the potential students in the said regions. 
 
Fifth Republic 
Corazon  C.  Aquino  replaced NAST with the Department of Science and Technology and gave 
it  a  seat  in  the  government  cabinet.  It  was  during  the  Philippine  Development  Plan  for  the 
years  1987–1992  where  the  role  of  science  and  technology  in  the  nation’s  economy  was 
highlighted.  In  her  1990  State  of  the  Nation  Address  she  said  that  science  and  technology 
development  should  be  on  the  top  three  priorities  of  the  government  to  implement  the 
development plan they have made. 
  
In  1989,  the  budget  allocation  for  science  and  technology  was  increased  to  1.054  billion 
pesos.  In  1990  and  1991  it  was  cut  down  to  14%  due  to  Asian  financial  crisis  and  in  1992  it 
was  increased  by  50%.  She  encouraged  Filipino  scientists  and  inventors  to  put  back  the 
Philippines second in Japan in the field of science and technology. 
 
In  July  1992,  President  Fidel  V.  Ramos  reported  in  his  SONA  that  there  were  improvements 
with  regards  to  science  and  technology.  In  1994,  in  his  third  SONA,  he  reported  that  there 
was  a  significant  increase  in  people  who specialize in the field of science and technology. By 
the  year  1998,  it  was  estimated  that  the  Philippines  had  3,000  competent  scientists  and 
engineers. 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
The  government  provided  3,500  scholarships  for  students  who  are  interested  in  taking  up 
courses  related  to  science  and  technology.  Schools  became  modernized  and  updated  by 
having  additional  high-tech  equipment.  Science  and  technology  personnel  were  given 
priority  by  the  government  by  approving  the  Republic  Act  No. 8439 in 1997 entitled “Magna 
Carta  for  Science  and  Technology  Personnel.”  Its  purpose  is  to  give  incentives  and  rewards 
to people who made an impact and was influential in the field of Science and Technology. 
 
During  President  Joseph  Estrada’s  term,  the  Internet  age  was  pushed  for  advancement  of 
schools  and  industry.  Then  it  was  under  the  term  of  Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when science 
and  technology  reached its golden age. Numerous laws and projects related to science were 
made  to push technology forward to increase the economic level of the country like RA 9367 
or  the  “biofuels”  act  that  promotes  the  development  and  usage  of  biofuels  throughout  the 
country.  In  2014,  President  Benigno  Aquino  honored  four  scientists  who  gave  huge 
contributions  in  the  scientific  field  that  geared  towards  the  advancement  of  science  and 
technology of the country.  
 

Activity 1: Roleplay Activity   2 hours 

 
Instructions​: 
1. Divide into five groups. 
2. Each group will be assigned a particular period. 
 
List of periods: 
● Pre-Spanish Period 
● Spanish Period  
● American Period and Post-Commonwealth Era 
● Marcos Era 
● Fifth Republic 
 
3. Each group will be given 10 minutes to perform their play in the class. 
 
 
 
 

 
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Processing 

Answer the following questions briefly: 

1. What  will  you  do  to  help  our  country  improve  in  the field of science and technology? 
Explain your answer. 

 
 
 
2. What  can  you  say  about  the  history  of  the  Philippines  in  relation  to  science  and 
technology? 

 
 
 
 
Formation 
What have you observed in our society today? How does advancement in science and 
technology affect man’s way of life? 

 
Synthesis 
In your own words, discuss briefly the evolution of science and technology in the 
Philippines. 

 
 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 

  Assessments 
Direction​: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if it is incorrect. 
__________ 1. Explain the historical timeline of science and technology. 
__________ 2. Define  science  and  technology in your own words based on the discussion 
on this topic. 
__________ 3. DOST was established during the term of Corazon C. Aquino. 
__________ 4. Galleon trade was given priority during the American period. 
__________ 5. One  of  the  finest  products  of engineering during the pre-Spanish period is 
the Banaue Rice Terraces. 
__________ 6. University of San Carlos is the oldest university in the Philippines. 
__________ 7. During  the  regimen  of  Carlos  P.  Romulo  in  1958,  the  Philippine  Congress 
passed  the  bill  entitled  “The  Science  Act  of  1958” which aimed to establish 
the National Science Development Board. 
__________ 8. “Magna  Carta  for  Science  and  Technology  Personnel”  gives  incentives  and 
rewards  to  people  who  made  an  impact  and  was  influential  in  the  field of 
Science and Technology. 
__________ 9. Under  the  term  of  Benigno  “Noynoy”  Aquino  science  and  technology 
reached its golden age. 
__________ 10. RA 9367 that promotes the development and usage of biofuels throughout 
the country. 
 

  Assignment 
Research on the following questions: 
1. What is the Age of Enlightenment?  
2. What are the salient events that took place during this age? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 

Topic 4: Enlightenment in the 17th Century   

 

  Learning Outcomes 
During the learning engagement, you should be able to 
● define paradigm shift, 
● articulate ways by which society is transformed by science and technology 
● trace the history of science and technology in different eras and civilization, and 
● enumerate  scientific  and  technological  advancement  made  by  people  and  some 
civilizations of the seventeenth century. 
 

  Learning Activities 
 
Introduction 
 
The Age of Enlightenment 
The  Age  of  Enlightenment  is  a  period  in  Europe  in  the  18th century when many writers and 
thinkers  began  to  question  established  beliefs  such  as  the  authority  of  state  leaders  or  of 
the  Church  as  new evidence came up as a result of scientific endeavors. New idea came out, 
that everyone was of equal value and had equal rights. 
 
Copernican Revolution 
The  way  we  perceive  astronomy  today  depends  on  the  theories  and  ideas  of  ancient 
philosophers  of  long  ago.  There  were  only a few of them but then they had diverse theories 
and  ideas.  One  of  those  ideas  was  the  fact  that  the  Earth  is  not  the  center  of  the  solar 
system,  a  result  of  scientific  revolution.  Mathematics  was  the  common  tool  used  by  the 
ancient  astronomers  to  study  the  motion  of  the  heavenly  bodies  combined  with  the  actual 
observations that gave evidence that the sun is the center of the solar system. 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
These  are  the  remarkable  contributions  of  ancient  astronomers  to  the  development  of 
Heliocentric Solar System: 
● Aristotle  (384–322  BC,  Greek)  –  proved  that  the  Earth  is  spherical.  He  believed  that 
the  Earth  was  at  the  center  of  the  universe  and  that  the  sun,  planets and stars were 
in the sphere revolving around it. 
● Aristarchus  (310–230 BC, Greek) – the proponent of the idea that the sun was center 
of the universe. 
● Hipparchus  (190–120  BC,  Greek)  –  regarded  as  the  greatest  astronomer  of  ancient 
times.  He  measured  earth’s  distance  from  the  moon  and  discovered  the  wobbling 
movement of the Earth. 
● Claudius  Ptolemy  (85–165  AD,  Greek)  –  took  Hipparchus’  observations  to  develop 
his  theory  that  the  Earth  was  the  center  of  the  universe  with  the  sun  and  other 
celestial bodies revolving in circular orbit. 
● Nicolaus  Copernicus  (1473–1543, Polish) – concluded that the sun and not the Earth 
is the center of the universe. 
● Galileo Galilei​ (1564–1642, Italian)- supported the Copernican theory of solar system 
● Johannes  Kepler  (1571–1630,  German)  –  formulated  the  three  laws  of  planetary 
motion. 
 
Darwinian Revolution 
Charles  Robert  Darwin  (1809–1882)  is  a  naturalist  and  biologist  known  as  the  Father  of 
Evolution  because  of  his  works  on  evolution  based  on  natural  selection. He studied Divinity 
in Cambridge where he met the British geologist and priest Adam Sedgwick (1785–1973) and 
the  naturalist  John  Henslow  (1796-1861)  who  helped  him  revive  his  interest  in  biology  and 
geology. 
 
In  1831,  Darwin  boarded  on  a  five-year  voyage  around  the  world  on  the H.M.S. Beagle with 
the  British  Army  headed  by  Vice-Admiral  Robert  FitzRoy  (1805–1865)  as  a  naturalist  on 
board.  Over the course of the trip, Darwin collected a variety of natural specimens, including 
birds,  plants  and  fossils.  He  made  observations  on  these  diverse  organisms  and  compared 
them  to  those  in  South  America.  He  also  made  comparisons  among  organisms  in  the 
Galapagos  Islands  as  well  as  their  adaptation  which  laid  the  foundation  to  develop  his 
theory of evolution and natural selection. 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
Darwin  explained  that  evolution  occurs  by  natural  selection.  Natural  selection  might  occur 
due to the following reasons: 
● Overproduction  and  variation  –  some  species  produce  many  offspring  but  not  all 
of  them  will  survive.  It  means  that  not  all  of  the  offspring  have  the characteristics to 
survive in the environment. 
● Competition  and  selection  –  these  factors  are  geared  toward  the  survival  of 
organisms.  Those  who  can  survive  reproduce  and  transfer  their  traits  to  their 
offspring.  
● Environmental  change  –  organisms  will  change  to  adapt  to  the  environment  in 
order to live and not the environment to adjust for their survival. 
 
Freudian Revolution 
Sigmund  Freud  (1856–1939)  was  an  Austrian  neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis 
who  explained  how  the  human  mind  works  and  cured  its  mild mental illness. His main goal 
is  to  make  the  unconscious  conscious.  He  developed  a  topographical  and  structural  model 
of the mind to explain the sources of human behavior. 
 

 
Fig. 1 The Topographical Model of the Mind 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
Freud compared the mind to an iceberg—the upper part being the conscious mind and the 
lower part being the subconscious mind. Freud’s topographical model of the mind shows 
three regions: the unconscious mind—subconscious and preconscious; and the conscious 
mind. 
● Conscious mind​ consists of thoughts that focus on the present state of mind. 
● Preconscious mind​ consists of what can be retrieved from the memory. 
● Subconscious  mind  consists  of  primitive  desires,  wishes  or  impulse  which  is 
mediated by the preconscious mind. 
 

 
Fig. 2 The Structural Model of the Mind 
 
The structural model elaborates the topographical model of the mind in which the 
preconscious mind is divided into ego, id, and superego. 
● Ego​ – denotes the central part of the structure that deals with reality and is 
influenced by social forces 
 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
● Id​ – comprises eros, the life or survival instinct of man or destructive instinct of man 
● Superego​ – the part of the mind that acts as a conscience to the ego, developing 
moral standards and rules through contact with parents and society 
 
Information Age (1970–present) 
Communication  is  one  of  the  most  important  tools  in  understanding  society.  It  is  an  act  or 
process  of  using  words,  sounds,  symbols,  or  behaviors  to  express  or  exchange information 
or  to  express  ideas,  and  feelings  to  others.  Communication  has  gone  through  many 
processes.  At  present,  long  distance  and  time  are  no  longer  a  hindrance  in  connecting 
people all over the world.  
 
According to Alberts and Papp in their paper entitled T​ he Information Age: An Anthology on Its 
Impact and Consequences​, the Information Age consists of three modern information 
revolutions: first, second, and third information revolution. 
 
Most important events during the three modern information revolution​: 
 
● First Modern Information Revolution 
○ Samuel Morse (1791–1872) invented the telegraph. 
○ Alexander Graham Bell (1847–1922) patented the first telephone. 
○ Guglielmo Marconi (1874–1937) proved the feasibility of radio 
communications-sending and receiving radio signals. 
 
● Second Modern Information Revolution 
○ Computers were made available to everyone. 
○ Television was one of the best tools. 
○ Artificial satellites were built and connected the world. 
○ Claude E. Shannon (1916–2001) quantified information and measured it in bits. 
 
● Third Modern Information Revolution 
○ It is known as “knowledge revolution.” Development of communication-related 
technologies that improved society revolved during this period. 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
Mesoamerican Period (1200 BC–3rd Century AD) 
Mesoamerica comes from the Greek word m
​ esos​ meaning “in the middle.” Three civilizations 
characterized this period. 
 

Olmecs (1500–400 BC) 

● Priests and nobles who lived in ceremonial centers 
were the top of the society. 
● Normal people lived in farming villages surrounding 
the elites.  
● Colossal heads carved from volcanic rocks as portraits 
of rulers 
● Invented calendar and carved hieroglyphic writings 
into stone 
● The mother culture of Mesoamerica 
 
Fig. 3 Colossal Head 

Mayans (300 BC–900 AD) 

● Developed shifting agriculture and raised bed farming 
● Organized into city-state without political unity but 
bounded economically 
● Developed numbering system such as place value and 
the concept of zero 
● Developed hieroglyphic writing for recording 
astronomical observations, rituals and religious 
matter but burnt during the Spanish conquerors’ 
invasion 
  ● Developed a solar calendar with 365 days and ritual 
Fig. 4 Mayan Calendar  calendar with 260 days  

Aztecs (12th–15th Century) 

● Built chinampas or “floating gardens” to plant crops 
● Built empire with a ruler whose council consisting of 
nobles, priest, and military leaders 
● Developed a calendar with 365 days and a ritual 
calendar with 260 days 
● Believed that illness is a punishment from gods but 
  still used herbs and medicine for treatment 
Fig. 5 Chinampas 
 
 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
Middle East (17th Century) 
Middle  East  covers  the  geographic area that extends from Egypt to Afghanistan where Islam 
arose.  Islam  is  an  Arabic  word  which  means  “submission  to  God.”  It  is  a  religion  of  right 
actions,  rules,  and  laws  that  started  in  the  17th  century  which  follows  the  teachings  of 
Muhammad,  whom  Muslims  believed  a  messenger  of  God.  Islamic  rules  are  symbolized  by 
five  obligatory  acts,  the  five  pillars  of  Islam:  Witness  (Shahada),  Fasting  (Sawm),  Tithing 
(Zakat), and Pilgrimage (Haji). They have Qur’an (‘Koran’) as their holy book.  
 
Unlike  other  beliefs  or  religions Islam plays a very essential role in Arab ways of living and in 
the  advancement  of  science.  The  pursuit  of  knowledge  is  included  in  the  teachings  of 
Prophet  Muhammad.  Islam’s  practicality  and  openness  to  accepting  knowledge  resulted  to 
some advancement in the field of geography, medicine, and mathematics. 
 
Contribution to Geography 
● Salat​ prayers require knowledge in geography to know the direction of the Qublah, 
like, the direction the Muslims face when they pray. 
● In 1166, Al- Idrisi produced very accurate maps. One of which was a world map with 
continents, mountains, rivers and famous cities. 
● Al-Muqdishi, a geographer, produced an accurate colored map. 
● Muslims are great navigators for the expeditions of other countries. Ferdinand 
Magellan and Christopher  
● Columbus were imported Muslim navigators.  
 
Contributions to Mathematics 
● Designed symbols to express unknown number or magnitude 
● Use of zero and decimal system 
● Introduction of algebra in solving equation by Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi 
(early 9th century) a director of the House of Wisdom 
 
Medical Contributions 
● Arab doctors used human cadaver to study and understand human anatomy and 
philosophy. 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
● An encyclopedia of medical knowledge written by Abu-Ali al-Husayn ibn-Abdallah 
Ibn-Sina or Avicenna (ca. 970–1037) which was translated into Latin and was used as 
a textbook in Europe up to the 17th century. 
● Construction of the first Islamic Bimaristans (hospital) was spearheaded by Abu Bakr 
Muhammad ibn Zakariyya al-Razi (854–925CE). 
 
African Revolution 
Some  advancement  in  science  and  technology  were  pioneered  by  Africans.  They  worked 
independently  without  the  influence  of  European  science.  Their  remarkable  works  were  in 
the  fields  of  mathematics,  metallurgy,  architecture  and  engineering,  astronomy,  medicine, 
and navigation.  
 
Africans’ remarkable contributions​: 
● Used of the first method of counting 
● Development of the modern concepts of mathematics globally accepted and used 
today in high schools started in Africa. 
● Used advanced techniques in making fuel efficient furnace which was 200-4000C 
hotter than the 16000C furnace used by the Romans 
● Created the building of Zimbabwe (Fig. 6) and the 11 interconnected rock-hewn 
churches of Lalibela (Fig. 7) in Ethiopia considered as wonders of the world 
● Observations on Sirius A and B by Dogon people 
● Cushitic people used their knowledge of stars and constellations to calculate and 
establish an accurate calendar. 
● Pioneered some medical practice such as installation of false teeth, filling of dental 
cavities, broken bone setting, bone traction, vaccination, brain surgery, skin grafting, 
and autopsy 
● Made use of plants like the bark of Salix capensis as source of aspirin, kaopectate for 
treating diarrhea and Rauvolfia vomitoria as source of reserpine for hypertension 
and snakebite. 
● Built boats in varying sizes with the largest that can carry a load of 80 tons. 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 

 
Fig. 6 Ancient buildings of Zimbabwe—(a) ancient stone city of Zimbabwe, and (b) best 
architecture from every African nation 
 

 
Fig. 7 Rock-hewn churches in Lalibela 
 
 

Activity 1: The Effects of Science  

  1 hour 
and Technology to Society 
 

Materials  
● 1/8 illustration board 
● marker 
● coloring and art materials 

 
 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
Procedure​: 
1. The  class  will  be  divided  into  groups  representing  Copernican,  Freudian,  Darwinian, 
Information Age, Meso-American, Middle East, and African. 
2. Each  group  will make a poster explaining the development of science and technology 
with respect to their group. Also, consider its impact on society. 
3. The output will be presented in class. 
 
 
Processing 
How will you define a society without science and technology? 

 
 
 
 
Formation 
Answer the following questions: 
1. What do you think is the best factor that adds resistance to intellectual revolution 
during the time of the ancient period? 

 
2. Why do you think Africa remains a third world country despite the fact that they 
pioneered some of the advancement in science and technology? 

 
3. What did these revolutions affect the lives of the people in the society? 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
 
Synthesis 
How did science and technology transform the society considering the different revolutions? 

 
 
 

  Assessments 
Direction​:  Write  TRUE  if  the  statement  is  correct.  If  it  is  incorrect,  underline  the  word  or 
phrase that makes it incorrect, and write the word or phrase on the blank to make it correct. 
__________ 1. Natural selection takes place due to evolution. 
__________ 2. To make the unconscious conscious is the main goal of psychoanalysis. 
__________ 3. Olmecs built chinampas to grow plants for food. 
__________ 4. Al-Muqdishi built the first Islamic Bimaristans. 
__________ 5. African furnaces are hotter than the Roman furnaces. 
__________ 6. A paradigm shift in society is due to scientific endeavor. 
__________ 7. Environment changes for the survival of organisms. 
__________ 8. Mayan civilization is the mother culture of Mesoamerica. 
__________ 9. Television  was  one  of  the  best  tools  during  the  first  modern  information 
revolution. 
__________ 10. Muslims designed symbols to express unknown number. 
 

  Assignment 
Download  this  reference  material:  UNESCO  Science  Report:  Towards  2030  at 
https://ijie.um.edu.my/article/view/5039/2875/​ (last accessed 10 July 2020). 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 

Topic 5: Science, Technology, and Nation Building   

 

  Learning Outcomes 
During the learning engagement, you should be able to 
● discuss the concept of nation building and its importance, 
● explain the relationship between development and nation-building, 
● discuss the role of science and technology in Philippine National Building, 
● evaluate  government  policies  pertaining  to  science  and  technology  in  terms  of  their 
contributions to nation building, and 
● identify  actual  science  and  technology  policies  of  the  government and appraise their 
impact on the development of the Filipino nation. 
 

  Learning Activities 
 
Introduction 
 
The Concept of Nation Building 
A  nation  is  a  race  or  group  of  people  with  common  history,  traditions, culture, religion, and 
language.  Generally,  they  have common national identity such as race or ethnicity, loyalty to 
political ideas and institutions, and the linkage of citizenship to nationality.  
   
Nation  building  is  a  process  whereby  people  with  different  origins,  histories,  languages, 
cultures  and  religions  join  together within the boundaries of a sovereign state with a unified 
constitutional  and  legal  distribution,  a  national  education  system,  an  integrated  national 
economy, and shard symbols. 
 
According  to  Nelson  Mandela,  a  South  African  leader  one  good  aspect  of  nation  building  is 
having  a  leader  who  seeks  unity  and  reconciliation,  beginning  a  healing  process  and 
becoming  a  symbol  to  people  at  home  and  all  over  the  world.  People  with  moral  values 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
where  poor  people  are  good  to  each  other.  They  get  involved  and  help  the  leaders  build  a 
good nation for all. 
 
Professor  Kriengsak,  a  senior  fellow  at  Harvard  University  believed  that  with  joint 
responsibility  and  common  ideology  for  a  better  nation  public,  private,  and  people  sector 
can  hold  the  wheel  and  steer  countries  towards  greatness.  The  public,  private,  and  people 
sector must collaborate to tackle challenges like inequality and social change. 
 
Key Drivers to Development 
In  the  modern  world,  science  and  technology  are  key  drivers  to  development.  According  to 
the  National Development Plan (NDP), developments in science and technology are basically 
influencing  the  way  people  live,  connect,  communicate,  and  transact,  with  deep  effects  on 
the  economy.  They  are  key  to  development  because  they  strengthen  economic  advances, 
improvements in health systems, education and infrastructure. 
 
Upgrading  scientific  and  technological  advances  is  seen  as  a  necessary  instrument  for 
building  a  strong nation. These advances during the late part of the 20th century left us with 
some remarkable achievements but also serious situations. In contrast, industrialization and 
economic growth have produced large increases in materialistic production, technology, and 
expectancy.  Then  again,  we  have  been  left  with  environmental  destruction,  climate  change 
and growing inequality in many countries. 
 
The  society  now  is  tech-saturated.  Development  is  coupled  with responsible intervention of 
the society in terms of balancing the technological change.  
 
Science and Technology in Nation Building: Global Perspective 
Science  and  technology  have  a  tremendous  impact  on  speedy  development. 
Implementation  of  science  and  technology  in  every  aspect  of  life  of  every  individual  is  the 
greatest  evidence  of  modernization.  The  modern  gadgets  offer  convenience, simplicity, and 
easiness  in  everyone’s  way  of  life.  Without  the  modern  equipment  the  advancement  and 
comfort being experienced today would not be possible. 
  

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
In  a  global  perspective,  moving  on  with  the  flow  of  modernity  determines  the  nation’s 
capability  to  sustain  its  people’s  lives.  Specifically,  the  economy  is  one  of  the  factors  that 
affects  the  lives of the people of a nation.  Countries are categorized based on economy and 
the  implementation  of  science  and  technology.  Countries that have a strong base in science 
and technology are the ones that developed faster. 
 
Economic Situation 
Economic  development  is  measured  by  an  increase  in  gross  national  product  (GNP)  and 
gross  domestic  product  (GDP).  Countries  are  classified  based  on  the  global  economic 
situation.  The  World  Economic  Situation  and  Prospects  (WESP)  provide  annual  reports  on 
world  economic  trends  in  different  aspects  which  serves  as  a  basis  for  classifying countries 
around  the  world  as  developed  economies,  economies  in  transition  and  developing 
economies.  Many nations struggle to attain the “developed” category that motivates them to 
strengthen  their  economic  situations.  According  to  the  United  Nation  (2018),  the  WESP 
report  2018  said  that  an  “improved  global  economic  situation”  offers  the  best  chance  for 
countries  to  address  “longer-term  issues”  which  hinders  development.  Such  issues  include 
low  carbon  economic  growth,  reducing  inequalities,  economic  diversification  and 
eliminating deep-rooted barriers. 
 
Below is the figure of the classifications of countries made by the United Nations. 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
The  countries  with  major  developed  economies  include  Canada,  Italy,  Japan,  United 
Kingdom,  France,  United  States,  and  Germany.  Those  that  belong  to  countries  with 
developing  economies  include  Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean. Countries with 
economies  in  transition  include  those  that  belong  to  Russian  Federation.  Afghanistan, 
Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, and Bhutan are the first five of the 47 least developed countries. 
 
Science and Technology Application 
The  Scientific  American  (American  magazine)  published  its  Global  Science  Scoreboard,  the 
basis  for  ranking  the  performances  of  various  countries  in  the  field  of  science  and 
technology.  As  published  on  01  October  2012,  the  United  States  ranks  first  followed  by 
Germany,  China,  Japan,  the  United  Kingdom,  France,  Canada,  Italy,  Spain,  and  the  Republic 
of  Korea.  These  countries  are  the  first  ten  among  the  40 countries. This ranking considered 
the  countries’  ability  to  project  their  research  into  the  real  world  that  affects  people’s  lives. 
(Guteri, 2012) 
 
Countries  categorized  by  the  United  Nations  as  “developed”  do  well  in  the  field  of  science. 
This  shows  that  economic  development  can  endure  through  effective  science  and 
technology applications and innovations. 
 
Science and Technology for the Advancement of Developing Countries 
Science  and  technology  plays  an  important  role  in  social  and  economic  progress  in 
developing  countries  especially  in  addressing  the  national  and  international  issues.  These 
countries  do  benchmarking  and  learn  best  practices  from  the  developed  nations  to  create 
their own science and technology programs.  
   
Innovation  is  widely  seen  as  central  to  the  growth  of  developing  countries,  and  available 
evidence  suggests  that  the  returns  to  R&D  investment  should  be  extremely  high.  Yet 
low-income countries invest very little. (Cicera, 2017) 
 
Neighboring  Asian  countries,  the  Asia-Pacific  fast  developing  countries  and  regions  (FDCs), 
South  Korea,  Taiwan,  Singapore,  Malaysia,  and  Thailand  demonstrate  the  most  successful 
economic  development  models.  Factors  which  contribute  to  the  economic  successes  of 
these FDCs are as follows: 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
● Public and foreign investments and government policies  
● Increased basic research through the development of knowledge-based industries 
● Role of research institutes 
● Applied research undertaken 
● Close cooperation between science and industry (Litsavera, 2017) 
 
It  is  recognized  that  nations  and  communities  aiming  for  a  good  standing  in  the  world 
economy  must  possess  or  acquire  a  home-grown,  self-generating  capability  in  science  and 
technology.  The  government  and  the  people’s  effort  in  advancing  the  status  of  science  and 
technology  in  a  nation  are  important  towards  promoting  a  more  advanced  level  of 
competency, competitiveness, and capability. 
 
Science and Technology in Philippine Nation Building 
The  Philippines  is  one  of  the  developing  countries  facing  the  challenges  of  inequality  and 
poverty.  How  the  Philippines  responds  to  these challenges determines whether the country 
will experience rapid, inclusive, and sustained growth and development 
 
The  1987 Philippine Constitution, Article XIV acknowledges the significant role of science and 
technology. 
 
● Section  10​.  Science  and  technology  are  essential  for  national  development  and 
progress.  The  state  shall  give  priority  to  research  and  development,  invention, 
innovation,  and  their  utilization;  and  to  science  and  technology  education,  training, 
and  services.  It  shall  support  indigenous,  appropriate,  and  self-reliant  scientific  and 
technological  capabilities,  and  their  application  to  the  country’s  productive  systems 
and national life. 
 
● Section  11​.  The  Congress  may  provide  for  incentives,  including  tax  deductions  to 
encourage  private  participation  in  programs  of  basic  and  applied  scientific research. 
Scholarships,  grants-in-aid,  or  other  forms  of  incentives  shall  be  provided  to 
deserving  science  students,  researchers,  scientists,  inventors,  technologists,  and 
specially gifted citizens. 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
● Section  12​.  The  State  shall  regulate  the  transfer  and  promote  the  adaptation  of 
technology  from  all  sources  for  the  national  benefit.  It  shall  encourage  the  widest 
participation  of  private  groups,  local  governments,  and  community-based 
organizations in the generation and utilization of science and technology. 
 
● Section  13​.  The  State  shall  protect  and  secure  the  exclusive  rights  of  scientists, 
inventors, artists, and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations, 
particularly  when  beneficial  to  the  people,  for  such  periods  as  may  be  provided  by 
law. 
 
This  mandate  requires  the  assurance  of  implementing  efforts  of  the  nation  in  utilizing 
science  and  technology  as  a  tool  for  advancing  the  capability  and  capacity  for  the  welfare 
and  condition  of  its  people.  The  Philippine  government  agencies  play  a  significant  role  in 
sustaining and promoting science and technology for the progress of the country. 
 
The Department of Science and Technology 
The  Department  of  Science  and  Technology  (DOST)  is  the  primary  science  and  technology 
body  responsible  for  providing  central direction, leadership and coordination of all scientific 
and  technological  activities,  and  of  formulating  policies,  programs  and  projects  to  support 
national development. 
 
The  DOST  is  the  name  given  to  replace  the  National  Science  and  Technology  Authority 
(NSTA).  Its  original  name  was  the  National  Science  Development  Board  formed  on  13  June 
1958  during  the  administration  of  President  Carlos  P.  Garcia.  It  was  reorganized  as  the 
National  Science  and  Technology  Authority  on  17  March  1981.  On  30  January  1987, 
President  Corazon  Aquino  elevated  NSTA  to  cabinet-level-status  under  Executive Order 128 
and was renamed Department of Science and Technology. 
 
DOST is composed of the following councils and agencies: 
● 3 sectoral planning councils 
● 7 research and development institutes 
● 6 S&T service institutes 
● 2 collegial bodies 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
● 16 regional offices 
● 80 provincial S&T centers 
 
Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering  
It  is  a  body  that  will  review  and  assess  the  status  of science, technology, and engineering in 
the  Philippines  and  will  give  recommendations  on  how  these  sectors  work  to  make  the 
country  more  competitive.  It  is  responsible  for  a  thorough  study  of  science  education  in 
public and private schools, specifically at the graduate level. 
  
Department of Trade and Industry 
It aims to implement industry-focused policies and with DOST as the coordinating agent. 
 
Commission of Higher Education (CHED) 
CHED  is  in  charge  of  the  formulation  of  policies,  plans  and  programs for the department of 
higher  education  of  the  country.  Its  mandate  is  to  promote  quality  education  and 
safeguards  the  implementation  of  educational  policies  relevant  to  continuous  achievement 
of learning. 
 
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 
This  agency  is  responsible  to  formulate  development  plans  and ensure the implementation 
of  them  achieves  the  goals  of  national  development.  It  is  the  country’s  premier 
socioeconomic  planning  body,  an  authority  in  macroeconomic  forecasting  and  policy 
analysis  and  research.  It  serves  as an adviser to policymakers in Congress and the Executive 
Branch. 
 
Science and Technology Competitiveness of the Philippines 
The  World  Economic  Forum’s  Global  Competitiveness  Report  Indicators  includes  12  to  be 
considered  to  determine  the  capability  and  competitiveness  of  a  country.  Among  the  12 
pillars of competitiveness three are related to Science and Technology. 
 
Under efficiency enhancers​: 
● technological readiness (9th pillar)  
   

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
Under innovation and sophistication factors​: 
● business sophistication (11th pillar)  
● innovation (12th pillar)  
 
Table 1. The 12 Pillars of Competitiveness​* 

Key for Factor-Driven  Key for Efficiency-Driven  Key for Innovation-Driven 

Economies  Economies  Economies 

Basic Requirements  Efficiency Enhancers  Innovation and 

● Institutions  ● Higher education  Sophistication Factors 
● Infrastructure  and training  ● Business 
● Macroeconomic  ● Goods market  sophistication 
environment  efficiency  ● Innovation 
● Health and primary  ● Labor market 
education  efficiency 
● Financial market 
development 
● Technological 
readiness 
● Market size 

*Adapted from the Global Competitive Index, 2011–2012, Figure 1, p. 9 

 
The  status  of  the  S&T  in  the  Philippines  as  reported  by  the  S&T  Resource  Assessment  and 
Evaluation  Division  (STRAED)  Planning  and  Evaluation  Service  of  DOST  is  shown in the table 
below.  This  is the report regarding the Science and Technology Competitiveness Rankings of 
the Philippines (2012–2018). 
 
Table 2. Trend in Philippine Rankings in Global Competitiveness Factors, 2012–2018​* 

2012–  2013–  2014–  2015–  2016–  2017– 

Factors 
2023  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018 

Global Competitiveness Index 

65  59  52  47  57  56 
Rank 

1. Basic Requirements  80  78  66  66  65  67 

● Institutions  94  79  67  77  91  94 

● Infrastructure  98  96  91  90  95  97 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 

● Macroeconomic 
36  40  26  24  20  22 
Environment 

● Health & Primary 

98  96  92  86  81  82 
Education 

2. Efficiency Enhancers  61  58  58  51  58  61 

● Higher Education & 

64  67  64  63  58  55 
Training 

● Goods Market Efficiency  86  82  70  80  99  103 

● Labor Market Efficiency  103  100  91  82  86  84 

● Financial Market 
58  48  49  48  48  52 
Development 

● Technological Readiness  79  77  69  68  83  83 

● Market Size  35  33  35  30  31  27 

3. Innovation factors  64  58  48  47  53  61 

● Business sophistication  49  49  46  42  52  58 

● Innovation  94  69  52  48  62  65 

*Source: Global Competitiveness Report, World Economic Forum, 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 

2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018 

 
The Philippine Government Science and Technology 
Science  and  technology  are  important  forces  for  the  development  of  our  nation thus in the 
long  run  they  become  unfavorable  for  they  become  potential  contributors  of 
dehumanization  of  man  and  degradation  of  his  environment.  The government being aware 
of  this  phenomenon  is  promoting  harmony  between  advancement  in  technology  and  the 
environment  including  man.  For  our  leaders  there  is  a  big  significance  in  formulating 
effective  plans,  policies  and  programs  to  motivate  advancements  while  maintaining 
conservational and sociocultural cohesion. 
 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
The National Development Agenda 
Philippine  Development  Plan  (PDP)  is  the  blueprint  of  programs  and  plans  of  the 
administration  for  progress.  NEDA  launched  in  2016,  the  PDP  2017–2022.  It  is  geared 
towards  the  Ambisyon  Natin  2040  which speaks the vision of the Filipino people of a society 
which  is  MATATAG,  MAGINHAWA,  AT  PANATAG NA BUHAY PARA SA LAHAT. It also considers 
the  country’s  international  commitments,  the  2030  Sustainable  Development  Goals.  It 
articulates that by 2040, the Philippines is a prosperous middle-class society where no one is 
poor.  

Fig. 8 PDP Overall Framework 

 
This  long-term  program  of  the  government  is  too  ideal  for  many  because  this  will  not 
automatically  transform  our  country  into  a  “developed  country.”  Global transformation is a 
long-term  and  more  tedious  process  and  therefore,  plays  a  minimal  effect  in  national 
development.  This  transformation  is  a  slow  but  sure  process  done  by  means  of  holistic 
strategies  for  national  development.  These  strategies  shall  be  handed  down  to local efforts 
which would have a greater effect on the country’s socioeconomic progress.  
 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
PDP 2017–2022 is founded on the three main pillars of development: 
1. Malasakit  –  recovers  people’s  trust  in  public  institutions  and  nurtures  trust  among 
fellow Filipinos. 
2. Pagbabago  ​–  reduces  inequality  through  increasing  opportunities  for  growth  of 
output and income. 
3. Katiwasayan  –  increases  potential growth through sustaining accelerating economic 
growth. (Leyco, 2018) 
 
The Philippine Science and Technology Agenda 
Scientists  and  technologists  are  needed  in  the  developing  world.  They  are  one  of  the  key 
players  in  a  country’s  pursuit  for  industrialization.  They  are  the  life  force  of  research  and 
innovation.  They  have  vital  roles  in  the  industry  and  the  manufacturing  sector  and  have 
responsibility to advocate for the betterment of S&T in their countries. 
   
For  the  Philippines,  in  order  to  halt  the  vicious  cycle  of  technological  backwardness  and 
poverty,  it  is  important  that  scientists  and  technologists  themselves  be  aware  of  the  sad 
plight of S&T in the country and to advocate for its improvement. (Mabagos, 2018) 
 
Philippine Science and Technology (S&T) agenda include: 
● requirement  of  competitive  technology  to  enable  us  to  compete  in  an  integrated 
ASEAN 
● stronger Research and Development in the regions, not just Manila 
● strategic projects in five areas: 
a. renewable energy 
b. S&T for industry development 
c. faster and cheaper and tecinternet 
d. increase food production 
e. climate change adaptation 
● enabling mechanisms and specifics 
a. more  research  grants  through  the  DOST  and  its  sectoral  planning  councils 
and institutes 
b. strengthen  the  Balik  Scientist  Program  and  retention  program  for  current 
young scientists 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
c. S&T  cooperation  within  ASEAN,  especially  on  the  space  program  and  climate 
change adaptation 
d. cooperation  between  industry  and  the  science  community  by  involving  them 
in the sectoral planning councils (Mabagos, 2018) 
 
The  DOST  ensures  that  policies,  efforts,  and  plans  included  in  the  science  and  technology 
agenda  are  closely  linked  to  the  national  development  plan.  It  prepared  the  Harmonized 
National  R&D  Agenda  (HNRDA)  2017–2022  to  make  sure  that  results  of  science  technology 
endeavors  are  geared  towards  and  are  utilized  in  areas  of  maximum  economic  and  social 
benefit for the people. 
 
The priority areas included in the S&T agenda 2017–2022 are in this framework. 
 

 
Fig. 9 HNRDA 2017–2022 
 
The  Harmonized  National  Research  and  Development  Agenda  (HNRDA)  is  divided  into  five 
sectors.  The  agenda  is  founded  on  the  three  pillars  of  development  which  supports  the 
AmBisyon  Natin  2040  framework.  Each  sector  has  six  issue-based National Integrated Basic 
Research Agenda (NIBRA) programs. 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
​The Issue-Based NIBRA Programs 
1. Water Security – TUBIG Program (Tubig ay Buhayin at Ingatan) 
2. Food and Nutrition Security – SAPAT Program (Saganang Pagkain Para sa Lahat) 
3. Health Sufficiency – LIKAS Program (Likas Yaman sa Kalusugan) 
4. Clean Energy – ALERT Program (Alternative Energy Research Trends) 
5. Sustainable Community – SAKLAW Program (Saklolo sa Lawa) 
6. Inclusive Nation Building – ATIN Program (Ang Tinig Natin) 
 
Major  Development  Programs  and  Personalities  in  Science  and 
Technology in the Philippines 
The  Philippine  Development  Plan  (PDP)  2017–2020  includes  S&T  related  enabling 
mechanisms  toward  achieving  strong pillars for development. Taking into account the many 
fundamental  weaknesses  in  S&T  competitiveness,  the  PDP  2017–2040  points  out  strategies 
that shall be pursued to help uplift the S&T related pillars (see Table 2) of the country. 
 
The  “8-point  action  agenda”  are  launched  by  the  DOST  to  promote  and  support  Science, 
Technology, and Innovation. These include the following: 
1. Science-based  know-how  and  tools  that  enable  the  agriculture  sector  to  raise 
productivity to world-class-standards 
2. Innovative,  cost-effective,  and  appropriate  technologies  that  enable  Micro,  Small,  & 
Medium  Enterprises  (MSMEs)  to  develop  and  produce  competitive  products  that 
meet world-class standards 
3. State-of-the-art  facilities  and  capabilities  that  enable  local  industries  to  move  up  the 
value chain and attain global competitiveness 
4. Idea  of the Philippines as a global leader in Information Technology-Business Process 
Management  Services  generating  direct  employment  of 1.3 million (520,000 of which 
in the countryside); 
5. ICT-based  transformation  of  governance  broadening  access  to  government  services 
(i.e.  health  and  education) for those in the countryside (to bring the Philippines in the 
tops 50 global ranking of e-government by 2016); 
6. Improved  quality  healthcare  and  quality  of  life  thru  science,  technology  and 
innovation 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
7. Highly  skilled  and  globally  competitive  S&T  human  resources  in  support  of  the 
national S&T programs; 
8. Science-based  weather  information  and  climate  change  scenarios  with  associated 
impact  assessments  that  enable  concerned  agencies  to  develop  appropriate 
mitigation strategies for a disaster and climate change resilient Philippines. 
 
The Philippines’ Science and Technology Human Resources 
Improving  the  competitiveness  of  the  country’s  science  and  technology human resources is 
a  very  favorable  strategy  in  breaking the obstacles that impede Philippine progress in terms 
of  Science  Technology  and  Innovation  (STI).  This  strategy  values  the  role  of  the  inventors 
whose  works  are  the  sources  of  new  and  modernized  scientific  knowledge  groomed 
towards the advancements for building the nation. 
 
The National Scientists 
Filipino  scientists,  technologists,  experts  and  professionals  are  encouraged  by  the  DOST  to 
unceasingly share their expertise towards intensifying the country’s STI development system 
and economic development.  
   
Individuals  who  had  contributed  significantly  to  the  fields  of  science  and  technology  were 
recognized  by  the  President  by  conferring  to  them  the  Order  of  the  National  Scientists.  A 
National  Scientist  receives  an  annual  incentive  and  other  privileges.  The  most  recent 
National Scientists are the following: 
 

He  was  recognized  for  his  research  on  the  ​ecology  and 
diversity  of  Philippine  amphibians  and  reptiles​,  as  well  as 
marine  biodiversity  and  conservation  of 
marine-protected  areas​.  His  work  has  led  to  a  national 
policy  on  marine  ​no-take  zones  or  protective  areas​,  which 
has  become  a  model  of  coastal  resource  management  that 
has been adopted by other countries. 

 
Angel C. Alcala, Ph.D. 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 

He  was  recognized  for  his  achievements  in  the  ​field  of  plant 
physiology​,  especially  the  induction  of  flowering  of  mango 
and  ​micropropagation  or  the  ​rapid  multiplying  of  stock 
plants​ of important crop species. 

 
Ramon C. Barba, Ph.D. 

He  is  most  known  for  his research and conservation efforts in 

invertebrate  biology  and  ecology​.  He  was  ​pivotal  in  the 
world’s  first  national-scale  assessment  of  damage  to  coral 
reefs,  resulting  in  international  conservation  initiatives  such 
as  Global  reefs  and  Risk  Analysis,  Global  Coral  Reef 
Monitoring Network and the International Coral Reef Action. 

 
Edgardo D. Gomez, Ph.D. 

He  was  cited  for  his  outstanding  contributions  in  the  field  of 
tropical  marine  phycology​,  focusing  on  ​seaweed 
biodiversity​.  He published ​extensive studies on the culture 
of  seaweed  species  that  benefited  the  livelihood  of  coastal 
populations  and  was  the  first  to  report  the  occurrence  of 
“ice-ice” disease​ that affected many seaweed farms 

 
Gavino C. Trono, Jr., Ph.D. 

 
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The  work  of  Emil  Q.  Javier,  Ph.D.,  in  the  field  of  ​agriculture​, 
through  spearheading the ​Institute of Plant Breeding​, which 
popularized high-yielding crops and disease-resistant varieties 
in  the  country  and  in  Asia,  evinces  his  outstanding 
contributions  to  the progress of science and technology in the 
Philippines and the world. 

 
Emil Q. Javier, Ph.D. 
 
Science Education in the Philippines 
Sustaining  up  with  the  rapid  advancement  of  science  and  technology  all  over  the  world  is 
necessary.  There  is  a  concerted  effort  of  acquiring  advanced  facilities  and  technologies, 
moreover  on  the  acquisition  and  enhancement  of knowledge and skills essential in meeting 
the demands of the highly competitive and scientific-based society. 
 
In  the  Philippines  and  around  the  world,  the  common  concerns  are  science  and 
technology-based  and  a  knowledge-based  economy  where  it  requires  expectations  and 
skills  to  survive.  The  effort  of  investing  in  science,  technology  and  innovation  shall  be 
supported  and  sustained  through  breaking  resource  gaps,  especially  in  the  education 
sector.  According  to  former  Us  President,  John  F.  Kennedy,  his  nation’s  progress  can  be  no 
swifter  than  their  progress  in  education  and  that  the  human  mind  is  their  fundamental 
resource. 
 
The  Philippine  government  takes  effort  to  improve  quality  education.  The  Department  of 
Education  engaged  in  a  benchmarking  strategy  with  the  Southeast  Asian  Ministers  of 
Education  Organization  Regional  Center  for  Education  Innovation  and Technology (SEAMEO 
INNOTECH  the  National  Education  for  All  Committee  (NEC).  This  undertaking  secures 
affirmation  of  basic  education  reforms  (curriculum  structures  and  contents)  towards 
meeting the demands of the 21st century.  

 
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Fig. 10 Science Education Curriculum Framework 
 
In the new science education curriculum science content areas such as life science, physical 
science, and earth and space science are not presented as “separate subjects”. This is done 
for the following reasons: 
1. to highlight the understanding of the connections and interrelationship of various 
science concepts and 
2. to value the “real-life contexts” 
a. maintaining good health and living safely 
b. utilizing energy and coping with the changes 
c. conserving resources and protecting the environment (see Fig. 11) 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
This implies that learning how to apply the concepts shall be pursued further towards more 
meaningful learning. 
 

 
Fig. 11 Science Framework for Philippine Basic Education 
 
This  arrangement  of  the  curriculum  can be traced back in 1996 in the program and meeting 
document  of  the  International  Commission  on  Education  for  the  Twenty-first  Century  as 
reported to UNESCO. 
 
This  framework  was  conceived  by  Jacques  Delors. 
He  identified  learning  throughout  life  as  the  key to 
meet  the  challenges  of  the  21th  century.  He 
presented  the  framework  based on the Four Pillars 
of  Education-learning  to  know,  learning  to  live 
together,  learning  to  do,  and  learning  to  be.  The 
report  emphasized  the  need  for  individuals  to 
“learn  how  to  learn”  for  them  to  manage  the  rapid 
changes  and  challenges  of  the  present  and  the  future  and  suggested  lifelong  learning 

 
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involving  development  of  knowledge,  skills,  attitudes,  and  values  of  every  individual  from 
early childhood through adulthood. 
 
Selected Indigenous Science and Technologies 
Many  people  appreciate  the  advancements  in  science  and  technology  for  giving  them 
comforts  and  convenience  in  life.  Lives  have  been  saved  by  medical  breakthroughs. People 
enjoy  good  production  of  food,  clothing,  and  materials  for  building  shelters.  S&T  products 
and  innovations  continuously  flourish  in  countries  where  they  are known for their excellent 
application of science. 
 
The following are some of the latest Filipino inventions: 
 

Chargee​,  the  brainchild  of  third  year  engineering 

students from De La Salle University 
 
It  has  a  built-in  1900  mAh  power  bank  and 
retractable  128  GB  storage  flash  drive,  and  can 
give an iPhone 6 roughly one full charge.  
 
  Andreana  Santos,  Celine  Solis,  David  Zinampan, 
Ivan  Yeung,  and  Sarah  Tan  developed  the  raw 
design  and  the  idea,  while  Angelo  Casimiro 
helped build the working prototype in 2016. 

Aerogas Catalytic Combustor (ACC)​: 

anti-pollutant, eco-friendly Filipino invention  
by Engr. Marino C. Martinez 
 
It  is  an  anti-pollutant,  fuel  saver  and  power 
booster  engine  device.  It  has  practical application 
on  all  types  of  internal  combustion  engines  like 
  engines  of  Jeeps,  Cars,Trucks,  Ships  and 
Motorcycles  and  even  Gas Fired Power Plants at a 
very economical cost.  

 
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SALtL (Sustainable Alternative Lighting) Lamp 

by Aisa Mijeno 
 
It  is  an  environment-friendly  lamp  that  runs  with 
just  two  tablespoon  of  salt  and  one  glass  of  tap 
water.  It  is to change the habit of Filipinos living in 
remote  communities  of  using  kerosene  lamps 
  and candles. 

SALAMANDER Amphibious Tricycle  

by Atoy Llave 
 
He is engaged in car customization and wanted to 
help the problems of commuters in a flood-prone 
country. It can travel both on land and in water. It 
has two power plant choices: one electric and one 
internal-combustion. 
 
 

 
  
Many  Filipino  inventions  are  continuously flourishing. They reflect the wisdom of Filipinos in 
dealing  with  scientific  knowledge  and  their  environment.  These  inventions  are  products  of 
traditional science 
 
Indigenous  technologies  and  practice  reflect  ways  of  working,  the  ways  of  knowing  and 
thinking  of  people  in  the  community.  People  are  surprised  how  these  indigenous  systems 
empowered  other  communities  to  live very successfully for many generations. It only shows 
that  the  role  of  indigenous  science  and  technology  in  nation  building  shall  not  be 
abandoned and outdone by the other kind of modernity introduced in the world today. 
 
 

 
 
 
 
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Activity  1:  Philippine  Science  and  Technology: 

  1 hour 
Where Are We Going? 
 
Objectives of the activity​: 
1. Identify key areas for research prioritized for government support. 
2. Evaluate  strengths  and  weaknesses  of  national  science  policy  as  determined  by 
government spending and support. 
3. Identify  gaps  in  local  research  with  regards  to  technological  transfer  and 
commercialization 
4. Reflect on general views of Filipinos towards research carried out locally. 
 
Directions​: 
1. Read the reference materials given as assignment during the last meeting. 
2. Individually  reflect  on  the  state  of  S&T  in  the  country,  while  going  through  the 
reference  material.  You  may  use  (but  are  not  limited  to)  the  following  reflection 
points: 
a. What  are  the  strengths  and  weaknesses of Philippine Science and Technology 
research and development? 
b. Do  you  think  the  government  and private sector support relevant science and 
technology priority areas? 
c. Is  the  support  of  the  government  for  science  and  technology  research 
adequate (in terms of its prioritization compared to other expenditures)? 
d. If  you  were  to  draw  up  3  top  research  priorities  for  the  country,  what  do  you 
think they should be? 
e. How  would  you  “popularize”  or  drum  up  support  for  science  and  technology 
research  in  the  country  for  different  target  groups  (i.e.  students,  politicians, 
investors, local scientists, etc.) 
 
3. You are given time (30–45 minutes) to read the materials and reflect on the questions 
given  above,  making  sure  you  can  give  specific  examples.  Write  your  individual 
reflection papers. 

 
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4. Divide  yourselves into small groups of 4 to 5 members. Share among yourselves your 
reflections and discuss your points of view and answers. 
5. Report  to  the  class  the  highlights  of  your  sharing  (around  10  minutes  per  group), 
other groups may comment on the reports. 
6. Your  teacher  will  summarize  all  the answers and point out similarities among groups 
as well as answers that stood out. 
 
 
Processing 
How  do  you  assess  the  economy  of  our  country?  How  could  you  contribute  to  the 
betterment  of  our  nation?  Do  you  think  these  advancements  answer  the  basic  problem  of 
our people? Justify your answer. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Formation 
Taking into consideration the negative effects of technology in society, what measures will 
you adopt as students to balance the advantage and disadvantage of technology in your 
daily life? 

 
 
 
 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
Synthesis 
In your own words, write a synthesis of the role of Science and Technology in Philippine 
Nation Building. 

 
 
 
 
 

  Assessments 
A. Group Reflection Activity 
Instruction​: List the required information in the following areas as indicated. 
 

Synthesized Group 
Questions  My Own Views 
Views 

Does nation-building matter?     

Is science and technology 

   
important in nation-building? Why? 

How do you describe a life based 

on the aspirations of ​Ambisyon 
   
Natin 2040, “matatag, maginhawa, 
at panatag na buhay​”? 
 
B. Choose  the  letter  of  the  best  answer,  and  write  your  answer  on  the  blank  provided 
before each number. 
__________ 1. Which  of  the  following  has  transformed  human  life  and  provided  help  in 
addressing human need and standards of society towards development? 
a. the accumulation of scientific knowledge and the application of it 
b. development in science and technology 
c. building a common sense of purpose 
d. promoting scientific and technological advances 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
 
__________ 2. He  was  a  leader  who seeks unity and reconciliation rather than vengeance 
among his constituents. 
a. Donald Trump 
b. Rodrigo Duterte 
c. Shinzo Abe 
d. Nelson Mandela 
__________ 3. They are the key drivers to development. 
a. Innovations 
b. Advancements 
c. Science and technology 
d. New strategies 
 
__________ 4. ______  provides  annual  reports  on  world  economic  trends  in  different 
aspects. 
a. DOST  c. NEDA 
b. WESP  d. HNRDA 
 
__________ 5. Which  of  the  following factors contribute to the economic successes of the 
fast developing countries and regions? 
a. public and foreign investments and government policies  
b. increased  basic  research  through  the  development  of 
knowledge-based industries 
c. role of research institutes 
d. all of the above 
 
__________ 6. The  1987  Philippine  Constitution,  Article  XIV  ______,  states  that 
“scholarships,  grants-in-aid,  or  other  forms  of  incentives  shall be provided 
to  deserving  science  students,  researchers,  scientists,  inventors, 
technologists, and specially gifted citizens.” 
a. Section 10  c. Section 12 
b. Section 11  d. Section 13 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
__________ 7. Based  on  the  report  regarding  the  Science  and  Technology 
Competitiveness  Ranking  of  the Philippines 2012–2018, the Philippines got 
the highest rank in _____. 
a. 2014–2015 
b. 2015–2016 
c. 2016–2017 
d. 2017–2018 
 
__________ 8. This  plan  or  project  articulates  that  by  2040,  the  Philippines  is  a 
prosperous middle-class society where no one is poor articulates. 
a. Philippine Development Plan 
b. National Development Agenda 
c. Ambition Natin ​2040 
d. Harmonized National R&D Agenda 
 
__________ 9. He worked in the field of agriculture, through spearheading the Institute of 
Plant  Breeding,  which  popularized  high-yielding  crops  and 
disease-resistant varieties in the country and in Asia. 
a. Emil Q. Javier 
b. Angel C. Alcala 
c. Ramon C. Barba 
d. Gavino C. Trono, Jr. 
 
__________ 10. This is an indigenous technology that can travel both on land and in water 
a. Chargee 
b. Sustainable Alternative Lightning 
c. Aerogas Catalytic Combustor 
d. SALAMANDER Amphibious Tricycle 
 

  Assignment 
Read in advance on ​Human Person Flourishing in Terms of Science and Technology​. 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
 

Reflection Guide   
 
1. What have I LEARNED this day that has helped me do all aspects of this better? 

 
 
 
2. What have I DONE this week that has made me better at doing all aspects of this? 

 
 
 
3. How can I IMPROVE at doing all aspects of this? 

 
 
 
 
 

Expanded Opportunities   
 
For Topics 1–3​: 
 
Historical Timeline: An Artwork Presentation 
 

Materials  
● ¼ illustration board 
● Art materials 
● Glue 
● Pair of scissors 
● Pictures of Filipino invention and inventors per era/period 

 
 

 
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Module 1: General Concepts and Historical Development 
 
 
Instructions​: 
1. Group yourself by five. 
2. Make a historical timeline of the inventions in Philippine history. 
3. Present and explain your work in class. 
 
For Topic 4​: 
1. You  will  be  asked  to  gather  evidence  (PDF/VIDEO)  on  the  highlights  of  the 
development of science and technology in the seventeenth century. 
2. Gathered materials should be posted in the digital classroom (Quipper). 
3. You are encouraged to share your learning in a digital group discussion. 
 
For Topic 5​: 
1. Create  a  PowerPoint  presentation  on  the  different  philosophical  views  of  how 
technology is understood and utilized by the society will be provided. 
2. A  group  discussion  will  be  done  in  the  digital  classroom  with  the  help  of  guide 
questions. 
3. An objective quiz will be given. 
 
 

Reference   
 

Bautista, D.H., Burce, Niña., Dungo, J.M., Garcia, C.S., Imson, J.B., Labog, R.A., and Santos, 
J.A. ​Science, Technology, and Society​. Quezon City: MaxCor Publishing House, 2018. 
 
Brainpop Educators. Fishbone graphic organizer. n.d. Retrieved from 
https://www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizers/fishbone/​ (accessed 10 July 
2020) 
 
Dela Cruz, K., (2015). “All about Aisa Mijeno and Her Salt Lamp.” Retrieved from 
https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus​ (accessed 10 July 2020) 
 

 
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Department of Science and Technology. (n.d.). “Approved Harmonized National R&D 

Agenda, 2017–2022.” Retrieved from 
http://www.dost.gov.ph/knowledge-resources/downloads/files/620-approved-harm
onized-national-rd-agenda-2017-2022​ (accessed 10 July 2020) 
 
History SparkNotes. (2017). “The Enlightenment (1650–1800).” Retrieved from 
http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/enlightenment/context/​ (accessed 
10 July 2020) 
 
Lawas, L. (2018). “Brief History of Science and Technology in the Philippines.” Retrieved 
from 
https://prezi.com/p/-ycfrdomgpnv/brief-history-of-science-and-technology-in-the-p
hilippines/​ (accessed 10 July 2020)  
 
Pascual, A., Padilla-Concepcion, G., &; Pernia, E., (2016). “Knowledge-based Development 
and Governance: Challenges and Recommendations to the Duterte Administration, 
2016-2022.” International Journal of Philippine Science and Technology, 9. (1). p. 
1-9. Retrieved from h
​ ttp://philscitech.org/2016/9/1/031.html​ (accessed 10 July 
2020) 
 
Popova, M. (n.d.). “Brain Pickings: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: The Story Behind 
Newton’s Famous Metaphor for How Knowledge Progresses.” Retrieved from 
https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/02/16/newton-standing-on-the-shoulders-of-gi
ants/​ (accessed 10 July 2020) 
 
Shuttleworth, M. (2019). “Scientific Reduction.” Retrieved from 
https://explorable.com/scientific-reductionism​ (accessed 10 July 2020)  
 
Theodore National Economic Development Authority. (2016). “Ambisyon Natin 2040 
Vision.” Retrieved from h
​ ttp://2040.neda.gov.ph/about-ambisyon-natin-2040/ 
(accessed 10 July 2020) 
 

 
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World’s Greatest Inventions (2018). “Great Modern Invention That Changed the World.” 
Retrieved from h
​ ttps://www.biographyonline.net/scientists/modern-inventions/ 
(accessed 10 July 2020) 
 
123 Help me (n.d). “History of Science and Technology.” Retrieved from 
http://www.123helpme.com/history-of-science-and-technology-view.asp?id=158842 
(accessed 10 July 2020)  

 
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