SCIENCE,

TECHNOLOGY AND
SOCIETY
Here starts
the lesson!
 Week 1 (Objectives)
At the end of the discussion, students are
expected to:

1. Discuss the interactions between S&T and

society throughout history.

2. Discuss how scientific and technological

developments affect society and the
environment.
 Learning Content
1. Historical Antecedents in the course of
Science and Technology.

1.1. In the World: Ancient, Middle and

Modern Ages

1.2. In the Philippines

“If I have seen
further than others,
it is by standing on
the shoulders of
giants”
—Isaac Newton
 Science Technology

Definition Definition
System of knowledge of The term comes from Greek
the natural world gained words “tekhne” meaning
through the scientific “art or craft” and
method. It was originally “logia” meaning a
called “philosophy of the “subject or interest”.
natural world”. The first Taken together, it means
scientists were called practical applications of
“philosophers of nature”. what we know about
nature.
 STS
It is an interdisciplinary
course that engages the
students to confront the
realities brought about by
science and technology in
society. This course seeks to
instill reflective knowledge in
the students so that they are
able to live the good life and
display ethical decision-
making in both social and
scientific dilemmas.
Ancient
Times
Transportation They also travelled to
trade their surplus goods
in exchange for things that
It was significant during they lacked. Navigation
the time because people assisted them in their
were trying to go places journeys to unfamiliar and
and discover new horizons. strange areas in the world.
They travelled to search It is allowed them to
for food and find better return home after they
locations for their discovered new places or
settlements. completed an important
trade with another group of
people.
Communication Record- keeping was also
important since they needed
to remember the places they
It was also essential in had been to and document
their endeavors to discover the trades they made with
and occupy new places. They each other. It was also
needed a way to communicate vital to keep records of
with the natives of the their history and culture
areas they visited so as to so they could establish
facilitate trade and their identities as they
prevent possible conflicts. tried to relate with other
cultures and civilizations.
Weapons and Armors Conservation of Life
These were important as well Survival posed a great
in the discovery of new problem. Different illnesses
places or the establishment and diseases, both natural
of new alliances with other and man-made, hampered the
tribes. Conflicts were full potential of a human
common especially if being. Given this
different groups struggled predicament, science and
to control vital resources. technology played a major
Back then, security and role in the discovery of
protection was considered a cures to, if not prevention
major achievement. of, illnesses.
 Engineering Architecture
The development in this During the ancient times.
field allows humans to build Architectural designs were
structures that would signs of technological
address their specific needs advancement of a particular
and wants. Some of the civilization. It also became
structures built during the a status of symbol and an
ancient times still exist identity of a nation.
today and continually awe
people.
Sumerian ● It is located on the
Civilization southernmost tip
Ancient Mesopotamia.
of

● Sumerians are known for

their high degree of
cooperation with one
another and their desire
for great things.
● They are not contented
with the basic things
that life can offer.
● This desire pushed them
to develop many things
connected with science
and technology.
Cuneiform
One of the major contributions
of the Sumerians is the
development of the first
writing system. It is a system
that utilizes word pictures
and triangular symbols which
are carved on caly using wedge
instruments and then left to
dry. This allowed rthem to
keep record of things with
great historical value or
their everyday life.
Uruk City
It is a great wonder not only
because it is considered to be
the first true city in the world
but also for the way it was
erected. The Sumerians were able
to build the city using mud or
clay from the river. They used
the bricks to make houses that
protected them from the harsh
weather and to build a wall
around the city that prevented
wild animals and neigboring
raiders from entering.
The Great
Ziggurat of Ur
It is also called the mountain
of God. It was built in the
same manner that they
constructed the City of Uruk.
The Ziggurat served as the
sacred place of their chief
God, where only their priests
were allowed to enter. As
such, even until today, people
still enjoy and marvel at the
preserved Great Ziggurat of
Ur.
Irrigation and
Dikes
As population increased, so
did the demand for food. The
Sumerians were challenged to
mass produce food items but
the elements in the
environment seemed
uncooperative. Through the
dikes and canals, the
Sumerians were able to enjoy
year- long farming and
harvesting, which increased
their food production.
Sailboats
The main mode of
transportation was through
waterways such as river and
seas. Sailboats were
essential in transporation
and trading as well as in
fostering culture,
information and technology.
Wheel
The first wheels were not
made for transportation but
for farm work and food
processes. With the use of
the wheel and axle, mass
production was made easier.
Farmers were able to mill
grains with less effort in
less time.
The Plow
Farmers needed a technology
which would enable them to
dig the ground where seed
would be planted. The plow
was invented to dig the
earth in a faster pace.
With this tool, farmers
could cultivate larger
parcels of land faster,
enabling them to mass
produce food without taking
so much effort and time.
Roads
In order to facilitate faster
and easier travel, the
Sumerians developed the first
roads. With this work, the
flow of traffic became faster
and more organized. They made
the roads with the same
technology they used in making
the sun- based bricks that the
laid down on the ground. It
was very useful especially
during the rainy season when
travelling in soft and muddy
roads.
Hanging Gardens
of Babylon
It was said to be a structure
made up of layers upon layers
of gardens that contained
several species of plants,
trees, and vines. According to
legends, the great Babylonian
King Nebuchadnezzar II, build
the gardens for his wife,
Queen Amytis. However, its
exact location is unknown. It
is considered as one of the
seven wonders of the ancient
world.
Egyptian ● Located in North
Civilization Africa
● Egyptians have
contributed
practical things
that the world now
considers
essential.
● They are known for
their engineering
feats and
infrastractures
Paper or Papyrus

One of the earlier contributions

of Egyptians. They were able to
make writing easier for the
world. Papyrus was a plant that
grew abundantly along the Nile
River. They were able to process
the plant and produce thin
sheets. People then were able to
send letters or correspondences.
Thus, communication and record-
keeping was a major
accomplishment for them.
Ink
They invented Ink by
combining soot with
different chemicals to
produce different colors.
It was used to record
history, culture and
codified laws. It is also
tamper- proof that people
could not simply tinker
with those written down by
authorities.
Hieroglyphics

It is a system of writing
using symbols. They
believed that this was
provided to them by their
Gods. Their records were
well- preserved since they
were carved at the walls of
pyramids and other
important Egyptian
structures.
Cosmetics

In Ancient Egypt, cosmetics

were used for both health
and aesthetic reasons.
Egyptians wore Kohl around
the eyes to prevent and
cure eye diseases. They
also believed that wearing
make- up was protection
form evil and that beauty
was a sign of holiness.
Wig

Wigs were worn for health

and wellness rather than
aesthetic purposes. They
were used to protect the
shaved heads of the wealthy
from harmful rays of the
sun. Moreover, it was
considered cleaner than
natural hair because it
prevented the accumulation
of head lice.
Water Clock/
Clepsydra
This device utilizes
gravity that affects the
flow of water from one
vessel to another. The
water clock was widely
used as a timekeeping
device during the
ancient times.
Greek ● It is an
Civilization archipelago in the
southeastern part
of Europe.
● Known as the
birthplace of
Western philosophy
● Some of their major
achievements
include in depth-
works on Philosophy
and Mathematics.
Alarm Clock

The ancient Greek’s

alarm clock used large
complicated mechanisms
to time the alarm. They
made us of water or
stones that dropped into
drums which sounded the
alarm. Plato was
believed to have
utilized an alarm clock
to start his lecture.
Water Mill

They were commonly used

in agricultural
processes like milling
of grains which was
necessary in food
processing during that
time. They only required
access to rivers or
flowing waters.
 The Roman Empire was
Roman
●
perceived to be the
Civilization strongest political
and social entity in
the west.
● It was considered to
be the cradle of
politics and
governance.
● Other civilizations
looked up to it as
their model in terms
of legislation and
codified laws
Newspaper
One of the major contributions
of the Romans is the
newspaper. The first
newspapers, known as gazettes,
contained announcements of the
Roman Empire to the people. In
fact, with the advent of
paper, minutes of the
proceedings of the Roman
senate were done in shorthand.
These documents were edited
and published on the same day
that they were recorded.
Bound Books or
Codex
According to sources, Julius
Caesar started the tradition
of stacking up papyrus to form
pages of a book. The earlier
covers were made of wax but
were later on replaced by
animal skin which proved to be
stronger and longer-lasting.
With the papyrus pages bound
together and covered by animal
skin.
Roman
Architecture
Romans were able to adapt new
building and engineering
technology on architectural
designs established in the
past. They were also able to
implement major projects such
as cathedrals, basilicas,
coliseums, amphitheaters and
even residential houses which
was fully supported and funded
by their government.
Roman
Numerals
Romans devised their own
number system to address
the need of for a
standard counting method
that would meet their
increasing communication
and trade concerns.
Chinese ● It is considered
Civilization to be the oldest
civilization in
Asia.
● It is also known
as the middle
kingdom.
● It was famous
because of its
SILK trade.
Silk
One of the things
connected Far East China
to the world is Silk
that is naturally
produced by silk worms.
It bridged the gap
between the western
world and the middle
kingdom.
Tea Production
Tea is a beverage produced
by pouring hot or boiling
water over crushed or
shredded dried tea leaves.
It was believed that the
first tea was drunk by a
Chinese Emperor. Till now,
it is one of the most
popular beverages in the
world.
Great Wall of
China
Once considered the only-
man made structure that
could be seen from outer
space. It is said to be the
largest and most extensive
infrastructure that the
nation built. It was
constructed to keep out
foreign invaders and
control the borders of
China.
Gunpowder
Once considered the only-
man made structure that
could be seen from outer
space. It is said to be the
largest and most extensive
infrastructure that the
nation built. It was
constructed to keep out
foreign invaders and
control the borders of
China.
 Medieval/
Middle Ages
Wars were prevalent
during this time. As
such, great technology
was needed in the
fields of weaponry,
navigation, mass food
and farm production,
and health.
Printing Press
Johann Gutenberg was able to
invent this, a more reliable
way of printing using a cast
type. It was invented to
address the need for
publishing books that would
spread information to many
people at a faster rate. This
invention also made works
accessible to individuals who
could not even write.
Microscope
Zacharias Janssen was able to
develop the first compound
microscope. To develop the
proper medicines for
illnesses, experts must
understand the sickness
through an investigation.
Thus, they needed a device
that could magnify things
invisible to the eye. It was a
key in curing and preventing
illnesses.
Telescope
It is an optical instrument
that helps in the
observation of remote
objects. It was a great
help for navigators during
this time. Together with
the invention of compass,
oars and rudders, sea
travelling is much easier
and faster.
War Weapons
Weaponries were made not
only as offensive tools
but also as defensive
instruments. Cross bows,
long bows, and body
armors are some of the
examples of their
creation.
Modern
Times
The booming world
population demanded
more goods be produced
at a faster rate. Food
processing and
medicine posed some of
the bigger challenges
since health was of a
great concern.
Pasteurization
Louis Pasteur invented
the process of heating
dairy products to kill
the harmful bacteria
that allow them to spoil
faster. Through this
process, milk could be
stored and consumed for
a longer period of time.
Telephone
Alexander Graham Bell’s
telephone invention was
one of the most
important inventions at
the time. It was a way
to easily maintain
connection and
communicate with each
other in real time.
Calculator
Arithmetic calculations
and complicated
equations was made
easier. It also resulted
in the development of
computer machines.
Philippine
Inventions
Many of the
discoveries and
inventions made by
Filipinos were built
from indigenous
materials or created
to adapt to the harsh
tropical environment.
Salamander
Amphibious Tricycle
Victor “Avoy” Llave was
able to invent this
tricycle that can cross
not only flooded streets
but also rivers and
lakes. Since the
Philippines is an
archipelago, it is a
useful invention that
has a lot of potential.
SALt Lamp
Aisa Mijeno was able to
invent a lighting system
that utilizes material
abundant in the
Philippines- saltwater. She
invented SALt which means
Sustainable Alternative
Lighting Lamp, an
environmental friendly
light source that runs on
saltwater.
Medical Incubator
Dr. Fe Del Mundo devised
a medical incubator made
from indigenous and
cheap materials which
did not run on
electricity. It was
beneficial for Filipinos
in the far- flung areas
who lack resources and
electricity.
Mosquito Ovicidal/
Larvidical Trap System

DOST- ITDI (Department of

Science and Technology-
Industrial Technology
Development Institute)
invented this as a trap
system but made with
natural ingredients that
are lethal to mosquitoes
but safe for humans and the
environment.
Ejeepney
This modern type of
transportation utilizes
electricity instead of
the more expensive
diesel. It is
environmental- friendly
since it does not emit
any smoke and noise.