MODULE 1

NATURE OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

INTRODUCTION

This section introduces Science technology and Society (STS) as a field of

study. After discussing the nature of Science, technology and society, the section
discusses the relationship among them. It tackles the different field of Science
and Technology. It also enumerates the positive and negative impact of
technology that reinforces the importance of the study on STS in an age of
scientific progress and technological development.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, the students should be able to:

1. Define science, technology and society
2. Discuss the relationship of science, technology and society
3. Explain how other sciences relate to technology

Nature of Science

Science is important to people, because it can help resolve problems,

concerns and issues that people face in the day-to-day aspects of living. Science
is a systematized knowledge derived from observation, study and
experimentation carried on in order to determine the nature of what is being
studied. It came from the Latin word scire(meaning to know). It was originally
called “Philosophy of the natural world”

Science is a framework for gaining and organizing knowledge. Science is

not simply a set of facts but also a plan of action- a procedure for processing and
understanding certain types of information. Scientific thinking is useful in all
aspects of life in order to find a solution for any problem. The Scientific method
is a combination of the creative reasoning and testing of hypothesis. It is the step
by step process of analyzing and solving science problems:

The Scientific method

1. Ask a Question: The scientific method starts when you ask a question
about something that you observe: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why,
or Where?

2. Do Background Research: Rather than starting from scratch in putting

together a plan for answering your question, do library and Internet
research to help you find the best way to do things and make sure that
you don't repeat mistakes from the past.

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 3. Construct a Hypothesis: A hypothesis is an educated guess about how
things work. It is an attempt to answer your question with an explanation
that can be tested. A good hypothesis allows you to make prediction:

4. Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment: Your experiment tests

whether your prediction is accurate and thus your hypothesis is supported
or not. It is important that your experiment be a fair test. You conduct a fair
test by making sure that you change only one factor at a time while
keeping all other conditions the same.

5. Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion: Once your experiment is

complete, you collect your data and analyze them to see if they support
your hypothesis or not.

6. Communicate Your Results: Professional scientists do publish their final

report in a scientific journal or by presenting their results on a poster or
during a talk at a scientific meeting.

It is important to differentiate observation, hypothesis and theories.

Observation is something that is witnessed and can be recorded. Hypothesis is a
possible explanation for an observation. A theory is a set of tested hypothesis
that gives an overall explanation of some natural phenomena. It is an
interpretation or explanation of why nature behaves in a particular way. Theories
changes overtime as more information becomes available. For example, the
motion of the solar system has changed greatly since ancient times.
Science is a distinctive form of human cultural activity referred to as
scientist, natural philosophers. They represent attempts to explain observed
natural behavior in terms of human experiences. They must continue to do
experiments to refine it and be consistent with new knowledge to approach a
more understanding of nature. Scientists in all periods of time are driven by their
deep passion to know and to discover. Thus, the scientific attitudes include the
following:
1. Honesty. This attitude allows a scientist to recognize the work done by
other scientists before him. This attitude is also shown by reporting data
truthfully.
2. A scientist is open-minded. Open-mindedness is an attitude that allows a
scientist to look at other possibilities.
3. Creative and Critical Thinking. This enables a scientist to come up with
new concept which leads to discoveries that traditional scientists have
overlooked.
4. Curiosity. It enables a scientist to discover more about the things around
him.
5. Persistent. It enables a scientist to continue a project despite obstacles and
failures.

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 6. Objectivity. A scientist must be objective in declaring results of his/her
experiments and judgment is based on observable phenomena and not
influenced by emotions or personal prejudices
7. Precision. A scientist must always consider the precision of his work if it
forms a pattern or repeatedly occurring in nature. Lack of precision would
mean inconsistency.
8. Responsibility. The moral, social and personal responsibility and
accountability of a scientist to all of his works must be observed.
9. Collaboration. One needs to consider suggestion and recommendations of
others for an improved work.
As scientist observes nature, they often see that the same observation
applies to many different systems. For example, studies of innumerable chemical
changes have shown that the total observed mass of the materials involved is the
same before and after the change. Such generally observed behavior is
formulated into a statement called natural law. For example, the observation that
the total mass of materials is not affected by chemical change in those materials
is called law of conservation of mass.

Nature of Technology
The initial nature of technology is for survival. According to Steve Jobs, the
pioneer of microcomputer revolution, the thing that separates us from high
primates is that we are tool builders. A caveman created fire to warm himself,
cook food to kill bacteria and protect him from predators.

Technology, Science of craft, from the Greek word techne, is the collection
of techniques, skills, methods and processes used in the production of goods or
services or in the accomplishment of objectives, such as scientific investigation.
Every product of technology helps human to move forward and make life
comfortable.

Nature of Society

Aristotle said that man was a social animal by nature and one who does not
live in society was either a beast or God. Human nature develops in man only
when he lives in society, only when he shares with his fellow beings.
Man lives in society because necessity compels him to. Many of our
necessities will be satisfied by the cooperation of the people in the society. Every
individual is offspring of social relationship established between man and woman.
Man is totally dependent for the survival upon the existence of some sort of
society.
Man lives in society for his mental and intellectual development. Society
preserves our culture and transmits it to succeeding generations. It both liberates
and limits our potentialities as individuals and molds our attitudes, our beliefs, our
morals and ideals.
The society is made up of community of people. Among these people are
Scientist and technologist. Proceeds from the work of the scientist and

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technologist are used up by the society. For instance a bus is first developed by
Blaise Pascal, the benefactor of this great invention is the people in the society.
But, exploitation of advanced scientific knowledge and technological advances
give rise to situations in which the society suffers the consequences.
It is important to keep in mind that scientists are human. They have
prejudices; they misinterpret data; they become emotionally attached to their
theories and thus lose objectivity; and they play politics. Sciences are affected by
profit motives, budgets, fads, wars, and religious beliefs. Galileo, for example
was forced to recant his astronomical observations in the face of strong religious
resistance.

RELATIONSHIP AMONG SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

Science and technology are the best society could ever ask for. Since the
industrial revolution in the 18th century science has been in progress. Some
sectors that have been boosted by science and technology are energy, physical
sciences, information and communication. The society has greatly gained with
the invention of technology.
Without society then there would be no science and technology and that is
why the inventions and innovations have helped achieve big things. The society
needs science and technology to have comfortable life. The creation of
computers is work of art by individuals was a milestone that would come a long
way in helping the society. A computer helps us to leverage ourselves by gaining
valuable information that we can use to enrich our lives. The impact of science
and technology can seriously be recognized. Many people around the world take
for example scholars in colleges and universities have taken the lead examining
the relationship between science and technology.
The evaluation of this relationship has emerged as an important area of
research. Public interest groups and academic organizations throughout the
world are recognizing the importance of STS. The reason is that people need to
recognize that there are people who are affected by science and technology.
Controversies such as nanotechnology, genetic engineering and robotics are the
issues that have brought policy makers and scientists together to have a way
forward on this.
Science and technology has actually largely contributed to the vision of man
about himself. Science has been modified the opinion about the origin of man
and place of origin too. Through the results of scientific discoveries the
perception of man about his behavior and his place of origin has been modified
diversely. Experiments in science today are in one way or another affecting the
society. Take for example; Chinese biophysicist He Jiankui  had conceived two
children through artificial insemination. He had manipulated their genetic material
with the help of the CRISPR/Cas9 "genetic scissors" before implanting the
embryos. Ethicists and experts from a wide range of disciplines sharply criticized
he's action. They said he had created a dangerous precedent and committed a

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grave ethical breach. Later, the Chinese government issued strict
rules preventing future attempts at germline manipulation.
The developing world has a long tradition of participatory action research,
popular education and community organization joining up to solve some science
and technology issues that affect the society. How science and technology
related to the society is something that is calling even for the government
intervention. Science and technology related issues are actually discussed
worldwide today. Progress in this has resulted to the ability to produce diverse
types of material items.

Positive Impacts of Technology on Society

1. Technology Has Mechanized Agriculture

Modern agricultural technology allows a small number of people to grow

vast quantities of food in a short period of time with less input which
results into high yields and ROI return of investment. Through government
subsidies, small and medium-sized farmers have managed to acquire
plowing, sowing, watering and harvesting machines. Proper use of
technology in agriculture has also resulted in the manufacturing of genetic
crops which grow fast and are resistant to many pests and diseases.
Likewise, when use responsibly, artificial fertilizers add value to the soil
and boost the growth of high quality crops. Agriculture in dry areas has
been made possible through technology. By using advanced water pumps
and sprinklers which derive water from rivers to the farms, For instance,
Egypt can now grow crop by pumping water daily from River Nile to the
rice fields.

2. Technology Has Improved Transportation

Technology has improved transportation:   Transportation is one of the

basic areas of technological activity. Both society and businesses have
benefited from the new transpiration methods. Transportation provides
mobility for people and goods. Transportation, like all other technologies,
can be viewed as a system. It is a series of parts that are interrelated.
These parts all work together to meet a certain goal. Transportation uses
vehicles, trains, airplanes, motorbikes, people, roads, energy, information,
materials, finance and time. All these parts work together to move and
relocate people and goods. Technology has helped in advancing all the

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 four types of transportation and these include ; (1) road transport used by
automobiles ,(2) air transport which is used by airplanes , (3)water
transportation which is used by ships and speed boats and (4) space
transportation used to go to the moon. The most used of all these is Road
transportation, this one facilitates the movement of goods and people.
Technologies like automobiles, buses, and trucks have improved the way
humans move and how they transport their goods from place to another. 
Also, developing countries are getting funds from wealthy countries to
improve their road transport which has resulted in the development of rural
remote areas.

3. Technology Has Improved Healthcare Services

From improved operational efficiency to standards in patient care, the

health care transformation has enhanced the entire experience for both
patients and medical professionals. Elcom enumerates five of the top
health care technology and health care industry trends and innovations
that are revolutionizing the field.

a)  Availability of Information and big data. The Internet, intranet systems,
search features and the ability for health care professionals to rapidly
share information have enhanced the synthesis and analysis of data.
“Big data” in health care allows the entire field to benefit from
comprehensive research studies.  Their analyses can be used to
identify risk factors and recommend the right preventative treatment by
comparing patient data with data from thousands of other patients;
b)  Medical professionals can now use media such as video, online
discussion platforms and real-time meeting capacities to communicate
and advance the spread of knowledge in the field. Electronic medical
records in-house are accessible by all relevant departments and care
providers. This results in improved case management, treatments and
patient recovery;
c)  Electronic medical records allow all patient histories, test results,
diagnoses and relevant information to be stored centrally in an online
location. The data allows for more focused and accurate care as well
as the ability to see health trends for each individual. Medical billing
systems allow hospitals, clinics and medical practices to run much
more smoothly;
d) Telemedicine/Telehealth Telemedicine/Telehealth services such as
video-conferencing are becoming cost effective ways to complement
local health services. It is particularly beneficial to those living in rural,
regional and remote communities and requiring regular access to
medical specialists who live several kilometers away; and
e) Mobility and Mobile Apps Mobile software applications (aka mobile
apps) are key to improving accessibility for patients and health-care
professionals. Mobile apps enable people to easily manage their health

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 and well being; everything from prompting them to get checkups, to
finding general medical information or accessing their test results
securely online 24/7 without having to book in an appointment with
their GP and wait days for results. Health-care professionals on the
other hand, can quickly access information relating to diseases and
drugs, images for clinical matters, continued education activities and
so on.

4. Technology Has Improved Communication

Communication is used for a number of purposes. Both society and
organizations depend on communication to transfer information.  People
use technology to communicate with each other. Today people can use
the internet to get the latest news from any country around the globe.
Services like Twitter or YouTube have enabled people to become
journalists. They can now report news instantly by tweeting or blogging.
Electronic media like mobile phones, radios, televisions, internet, and
social media have improved the way people exchange and share ideas.
People can Skype, or use Viber or Messenger to send messages or make
video call to their loved ones instantly. Likewise, finding both old and new
friends have become very simple. With social networks like Facebook or
Instagram, one can easily keep up with all his/her old friends and also
make new ones. Politicians use smart phone, radio, and television and
internet media to reach the people they want to serve.

5. Technology Has Improved Education and Learning Process

Technology has improved education and learning process: Education is
the backbone of every economy. People need well and organized
educational infrastructures so that they can learn how to interpret
information. Many schools have started integrating educational
technologies in their schools with a great aim of improving the way
students learn. Technologies like smart whiteboards, computers, mobile
phones, iPads, projectors, and internet are being used in class rooms to
boost students’ moral to learn. The business community has invested
money in various educational technologies which can be used by both
teachers and their students.  For example, on iPhone App Store or Google
Play Store, you will find many educational applications which can allow
students and teachers exchange academic information at any time, this
has made learning mobile.  Also, programs like Long distance learning
have opened boundaries too so many scholars around the world.

6. Technology has Improved Business or Job Opportunities

Modern Technology has been prominent in job role creation and the
emerging of technology-based companies. With access to a computer and
internet, anyone can start a business while at home. Most successful
technology-based ventures like Amazon or Facebook started from home
but now they employ thousands of people.

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 7. Technology has Improved Entertainment
Technology has changed the entertainment industry; now people have
many options to choose from. They can have a playlist of 10,000 songs on
their smartphone or you can watch movies on the go with an iPad; the list
is endless.

Negative Impacts of Technology on Society

1. Resource Depletion
The more demand for new technologies and advancement of current
technologies, the more pressure is put on earth’s natural resources. The
high demand for more mobile phones or laptops will certainly lead to
exploitation of Mother Nature for resources like aluminum. Once these
resources are extracted from the earth plates, they may never return back
because it took them a billion years to mature.  That means that at one
time, the world shall be left with no natural resource which can be a
problem to the future generation and economy.  Likewise, the intensive
farming practices will deplete the soil. This makes heavy applications of
commercial fertilizers necessary to yield healthy harvests, but also these
fertilizers have chemicals which are dangerous to the soil and human
lives.
2. Increased Pollution
Pollution affects the land we grow crops on, the water we drink and the air
we breathe. The increased demand for new technologies and
advancement of technologies has resulted in many manufacturing and
processing factories. As they work so hard to create the best technologies
for both society and business, they release harmful chemicals and gasses
which have polluted our environment and this has resulted in climate
changes (global warming). So the more technology we enjoy, the more we
harm our environment. Experts have tried to implement ways of reducing
this impact by encouraging factories to go green, to a small extent, this
has been achieved through the development of green technologies like;
green cars, green computers, but a great effort is still needed to reduce
the pollution of the air and the earth.

3. Cyber-Sickness
With the increased addiction to social networks and internet games,
people are spending more time on computers and reject their normal
offline life, resulting in increased isolation and social imbalance. This
social isolation has increased a lot as more and more people are involved
in online interaction. The number of children playing outdoor games is
decreasing due to a lot of options available like video games and apps.

4. Unemployment

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 Reduction in employment. Modern technology has replaced many works
done by human beings. Works are being done by machines in more
productive and efficient way thus replacing personnel who used to perform
the work.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FIELDS

1. Life Sciences is a very broad field, it encompasses numerous

specializations. It is commonly defined by sciences that pertain to living
organisms like microorganisms, plants, animals, and most importantly human
beings. Some of the well-known fields in the Life Sciences are Zoology,
Botany, Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, and Biomedical technologies.
2. Engineering is the field of science that applies both science and math to
solve problems. It concerns the use of technology in practical ways that can
advance the human condition. Some of the fields of engineering include
mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering, structural
engineering, and industrial engineering.

3. Agriculture is the field of science wherein it concerns with the different

techniques of land cultivation, crop and livestock raising, or otherwise,
farming. The Department of Agriculture (DA) is a government agency
responsible for the development of the Philippine's agriculture by generating
policies, investments, and support services which are significant in the local
and export-oriented trade.

4. Aquaculture is the rearing or cultivation of aquatic animals and plants for

foods. Oceans are productive ecosystems on the planet, providing an array of
services that directly and indirectly support economic activity and growth.
Services including protection from natural hazards; weather regulation;
shoreline stabilization; carbon sequestration; wild-catch fisheries; energy from
wind, waves and offshore oil; sea bound trade; tourism; and many others all
provide the foundation for an estimated 3 to 5 trillion dollars of annual global
ocean economic activity. 

5. Metal Industry deals with the creation and innovation of metallic and steel
products. The metal/steel industries have shown remarkable technological
dynamism over the centuries and with the growing product innovation, there
have been a great significance on the steels' economic and political influence.
The Philippines have become part of the growing revolution of the industry.
The Metal Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) is a
government agency under the Department of Science and Technology that

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 supports the local metals and engineering industry through support services
enhancing the industry's competitive advantage.

6. Food and Nutrition science is the field of science studying the nature of
foods and the natural changes in them resulting from handling and
processing. It is the science concerned with food and nourishment and the
role of nutrients in health. In the Philippines, food and nutrition research
investigates the ideal diet for Filipinos to solve the problem of malnutrition and
the current state of nutrition.

7. Forestry practices planting, managing and taking care of trees. The

governing body for the Philippine forestry is the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources (DENR). During 1987, the Department of Environment
and Natural Resources was formally established. Under this department, the
Forest Management Bureau was the sector that focuses on preserving the
forest and the harvesting of its resources.

8. Natural disaster preparedness is developed to address disaster risk, since

the Philippines is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to natural
disasters. Every year, between six and nine tropical cyclones make landfall,
alongside other extreme events such as floods and landslides. The
Philippines has been investing heavily in critical infrastructure and enabling
tools such as Doppler radars, generating 3D disaster-simulation models from
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology and the wide-scale
installation of locally developed sensors for accurate and timely disaster
information nationwide.

9. Health. One aspect of healthcare is the diagnosis, treatment and prevention

of diseases; the other pertains to provisions for medical care for people in the
community. In the Philippines, health care is under the Department of Health
(DOH). This government office is responsible for organizing public health care
and making sure that all Filipino citizens have access to quality health
services. This office is also responsible for supervising and funding
researches pertaining to new medicines and medical devices.

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 MODULE 2
HISTORICAL ANTECEDENTS IN THE COURSE OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY

INTRODUCTION
This lesson will give light to the development of Science and scientific ideas
in the heart of the society. It explores the dynamic interactions between different
societal factors on science and technology. Along with the discussion of this
antecedent during the ancient period, Middle Ages and modern ages, it also
discussed Philippine invention and innovations. It is goal of this lesson to
articulate ways by which society is transformed by science and technology.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, the students should be able to:
1. Discuss the paradigm shift through history
2. Explain how science and technology affected the society and vice versa.
3. Identify inventions and discoveries that changed the world over the course
of history
4. Explain how the industrial revolution changed the ways of human life

The development of science and technology is as old as mankind. From the

genesis of time Science has existed. It is always interwoven with the society. It
indeed plays major roles in the everyday life.
The birth of technology was when the first human-like species, Homo
Habilis made sharp cutting edges from stone. Later, Homo Neanderthals or cave
men used tools and weapons and were the very successful ancestors of Homo
sapiens.
Many features of civilization emerged gradually as agricultural economics
developed. The invention of tools increased agricultural production, which led
both to new job specializations. A more complex economy also created new
needs for more formal governments and better methods communication and
record keeping.

ANCIENT TIMES

The Sumerian Civilization

The first civilization emerged in Sumer, the southern region of ancient

Mesopotamia (Iraq and Kuwait) about 3500 B.C.E. Between the desert of
Arabian Peninsula, running from the eastern Mediterranean cost to the plains of
great Tigris and Euphrates rivers lays a fertile soil that generated several
features characteristic of civilization including system of farming, writing,
expanded cities, complex social structure, distinctive religious beliefs and artistic

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styles. It was so flat that it was open to invasion, leading to the rise and fall of the
empire.

Many technical innovations are attributed to the Sumerians. Among these

are:
1. Cuneiform is the first form of writing developed by
Sumerian. It was a system that utilizes word pictures and
triangular symbols, baked on clay tablets, which were
turned into symbols and gradually transformed into
phonetic elements. It recorded data, generated scientific
knowledge and promoted trade.

2. The wheel around 4500 BC the wheel and axle

combination became the most important invention of all
time. The Sumerians were able to invent the wheels not
intended for transportation but for farm work and food
processes.

3. The first successful efforts to control the flood of water

and to grow crops were developed by Sumerian. An
irrigation system was usually made up of canals, dikes,
basins, dams, and levees. Water was stored in basins or
dikes, along the fields for the crops. The canals, levees,
and dams were used to stop flooding.

4. Cities and temple complexes, with their famous ziggurats

were all built using oven-baked bricks of clay which were
then painted. A ziggurat is a type of massive structure
and it has the form of a terraced compound of
successively receding stories or levels.

5. The invention of the plow helped them provide their city-

states with a stable food supply. Before farmers invented
the plow, they used animal horns or pointed sticks to
poke holes in the earth. 

Source:
https://www.ancienthistorylists
.com/mesopotamia-history/top
-10-sumerian-inventions-
followed-many-civilizations/

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Babylonian Civilization

A civilization derived from Sumerian culture around 1800 B.C.E. the

Babylonian Empire arose and again unified much of Mesopotamia. This empire
was headed by Hammurabi which sets the Hammurabi’s law. The Babylonians
went on to greatly influence Mesopotamian culture. More importantly, they had a
great impact on the history of western civilization. Among the most important
contributions of Babylonia are the first ever positional number system;
accomplishments in advanced mathematics; laying the foundation for all western
astronomy; and impressive works in art, architecture and literature.

One of the seven wonders of the ancient world was built on the banks of
the Euphrates River. It may never have existed except in the imagination of
Greek poets and historians although archaeologists claim to have found the
remains of its walls. Most scholars attribute its construction to King
Nebuchadnezzar II to console his Median wife, Amytis, who missed the
mountains and greenery of her home land. The Gardens didn't really "hang" but
were built on terraces which were part of the ziggurat and was irrigated by water
lifted up from the Euphrates. There is not a single mention of a "hanging garden"
in the Babylon cuneiform record but this is probably because it was considered
part of the ziggurat structure and not a separate entity in itself.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanging_Gardens_of_Babylon

Egyptian Civilization

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 Egyptian civilization formed by 3000 B.C.E along the Nile River. They
benefited from trade and technological influence from Mesopotamia, but they
produced a very different society and culture. More stable that Sumer and
protected from the main invasion route by desert, Egyptian civilization flourished
for more than 2000 years before beginning to decline about 1000 B.C.E.

Many inventions and developments of Science and Technology are attributed to

Egyptian. Among these are:

1. The Egyptians kept written records using a writing

system known as hieroglyphics. Some writing
was preserved on stone or clay, and some was
preserved on papyrus, a paper-like product made
from reed fiber. Papyrus is very fragile, but due to
the hot and dry climate of Egypt, a few papyrus
documents have survived.

2. Building pyramid, such as the Great Pyramid and

the Sphinx in Giza, and temples for different gods
required a centralized government that could
command vast resources.

3. Egyptians cosmetics reflected their social class,

so they devoted a lot of time to their personal
appearance. Wigs were often worn not only for
style purposes but also as protection as people
needed to protect their skin from the dry climate
and strong sun. 

Mummification is a process in which the skin

and
4. Flesh of a corpse can be preserved. They
wanted to preserve their pharaoh because they
believe in afterlife. When a pharaoh died, his
life force would leave his body, but only
temporarily. It was important to preserve the
body because the spirit would return.

5. The Egyptians were among the first to divide

their days into parts. They invented the first
portable clock which was so lightweight that
people could carry it with them.

Source:
https://www.ancienthistorylists.com

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/egypt-history/top-10-inventions-
discoveries-ancient-egypt/

GREEK CIVILIZATION

Greek civilization began to take shaped around 800 B.C.E. on the peninsula and
island of Greece and in the surrounding territory in the eastern Mediterranean.

1. Water mills have been used all over the world

for the purpose of metal shaping, agriculture
and, most importantly, milling. This in turn led
to the production of edible food staples like
rice, cereals, pulses, flour, and so on.

2. Odometer, measures the distance traveled by

a vehicle such as a bicycle or automobile. It
was invented by Archimedes of Syracuse

3. Cartography is the study and practice of

making maps. It has played an important role
in travel and navigation since ancient times.

4. Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician of

the Classical age and was considered one of
the most outstanding figures in the history of
medicine. He was referred to as the father of
Western medicine in recognition of his lasting
contributions to the field and was the founder
of the Hippocratic School of Medicine.

Source: https://www.ancienthistorylists.com/greek-history/

ROMAN CIVILIZATION

Roman and Greek achievements in science and technology were closely

intertwined but somewhat Roman had more focused on engineering. Roman
used and copied Greek Science, monumental architectural styles, sculpture and
drama.

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1. Romans are the first to set an arch on top of
tall pedestal. These arches went on to become
pivotal engineering constructions that the
foundation for building bridges, aqueducts,
sewer, amphitheater and coliseum

2. The first Roman aqueducts were built around

312 BC and from then on took off as an
engineering marvel that used the downhill flow
of water to supply the city centers.

3. Roman numerals originated in ancient Rome.

Constituting one of the most popular
numbering systems still in use today, the first
use of these numbers dates back to
somewhere between 900 and 800 BC. 

4. Rome was the first to establish a sophisticated

system of circulating written news which it
published the Acta Diurna (“Daily Events”). The
majority of the content in the Acta Diurna
usually comprised of political news, trials,
military campaigns, executions and major
scandals.

5. The revolutionary concrete developed by the

Romans helped to build impeccable and lasting
structures, playing a huge part in the
architectural accession of ancient Rome. 

Source:
https://www.ancienthistorylists.com/
rome-history/top-10-ancient-roman-
inventions/

CHINESE CIVILIZATION

Chinese civilization started along Huanghe or yellow river. Established by

nomadic warriors and lasted for six centuries. The vital irrigation systems that
earlier inhabitants of the yellow river basin had begun were greatly expanded and

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improved. They also developed a system of writing that has proved critical
identity, unity and civilized development among the chines

Science and Technology development arose in this era. Among these are:

1. Silk was widely used in a variety of sectors

including writing, fishing, and for musical
instruments. It was dominantly used
by emperors and high-class society but later it
spread to the rest of the population. 

2. Tea was discovered by the Chinese emperor

Shennong in 2737 BC. During a march, while
they were resting, his servant prepared some
boiling water for him. A brown leaf fell into the
water and the water turned brown. The servant
presented it to the emperor, he drank it and
found it refreshing.

3. The Chinese used silk or paper and lightweight

bamboo framework to make kites. Paper kites
were being used to carry messages for rescue
missions, to test the wind, measure distance,
and for military communication.

4. The Chinese considered south their cardinal

direction, and the original compass was
created by the Chinese using a lodestone to
point south. This was called the south pointer.

5. Invention of the wheelbarrow can be credited

to Prime Minister Zhuge Liangof Shu Han. It
was created the wheelbarrow to carry military
weapons and to move injured and dead
soldiers from the battlefield.

17
6. Han dynasty invented the first seismograph
called “Houfeng Didong” to measure the
movements of the earth and seasonal winds. 

7. The first chemical explosive known as a

gunpowder or black powder was made from
sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate
(saltpeter). Gunpowder wasn’t a sudden
invention. The Chinese used gunpowder and
gunpowder-based weaponry as a military
defense.

8. The Great Wall of China was built by the first

emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang to protect the
country from northern invaders. 

Source:
https://www.ancienthistorylists.c
om/china-history/top-18-ancient-
chinese-inventions/

MEDIEVAL AGES

The Medieval Era, often called The Middle Ages or the Dark Ages, began
just before 500 A.D. following a great loss of power throughout Europe by the
Roman Emperor. The Middle Ages span roughly 1,000 years, ending around
1450 A.D.

1. Building great Cathedrals as there was a huge rise in Christianity

The role of the cathedral is chiefly to
serve God in the community, through its
hierarchical and organizational position
in the church structure. The building
itself, by its physical presence,
symbolizes both the glory of God and of
the church.

https://www.google.com/search?q=image+of+great+cathedral

18
2. Building great castles for local nobility

A castle was a fortress built to protect

strategic locations from enemy attack or
to serve as a military base for invading
armies.
People seeking protection from invading
armies built villages around established
castles. Local nobility took the safest
residences for themselves, inside
the castle walls. 
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-castle-architecture

3. Astrolabe was an important Medieval invention, They were used by

navigators, astronomers who studied the movement of celestial bodies

https://www.google.com/search?q=image+of+astrolabe&rlz=

4. Printing. Spreading knowledge and information was a very slow process

before the invention of typography. Johannes Gutenberg developed the first
mechanical printing machine in the 1440s. The first printed book was the Bible in
1456 with a run of 150 copies.

19
 5. The telescope was invented by
Dutchman Hans Lippershey. In 1610,
using his improved design, Galileo
Galilei was able to prove that the Earth
revolved around the Sun. This
confirmed the ideas of the Polish
astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus but it
angered the Catholic Church who had
adopted the idea that the Earth was at
the center of everything.

https://www.google.com/
image+of+telescope+during+medieval+
period&tbm=isch&source

6. The microscope Looking at small things became possible when a Dutch

maker of spectacles, Hans Janssen and his son, put glass lenses together in
1590 to make a primitive microscope. Anton van Leeuwenhoek took this
invention a step further in 1676 with a magnification of 270 times and discovered
tiny single-celled creatures in pond water. Ultimately, this helped our
understanding of microorganisms and disease.

https://www.google.com/search=image+of+microscope+in+the+mwdieval

7. Lightning conductor In1752, Benjamin

Franklin, the American statesman,
philosopher and scientist proved that
lightning was a form of electricity when he
flew a kite in a thunderstorm. Around 1754,
Franklin and the Czech scientist,
ProkopDiviš independently developed the

20
 lighting conductor to protect buildings from
being hit and damaged by lighting.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHNY

7. Mechanical clock

Among the traditional time-keeping devices used at the time were water clocks,

candle clocks, the use of astrolabes for determining time and sundials. It was
during the High Middle Ages that new methods of time-keeping were discovered
and new instruments discovered for the purpose.

8.
Eyeglasses.
When eyeglasses were first produced, they were known as iteros ab oculis ad
legend or “glasses that are for reading. Physical evidence for the use of
spectacles during the Concave glass is used to correct nearsightedness, so that
the rays of light are diverged. Convex lenses are used to aid the correction of
farsightedness, so that the light rays are converged. Cylindrical lenses used to
correct astigmatism were invented by Sir George Airy in 1825.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHNY_ eye+glassestheir+uses+inmiddle+age

21
 MODERN ERA

The First Industrial Revolution

The Modern period is a cultural movement that has a lasting impact on the
world. The Romantic period provoked everyone to rebellion and two of the greatest
revolutions, the American and French, were an outcome of that period. Thus, the
Modern period was born when the Romantics faded out and this shift in culture
changed the world forever. Modernism changed the way people lived in a number
of different reasons, but there are three that stood out from the rest.
The Modern Era changed the world through literature, producing some of
the greatest works in history, through technology and science, this new scientific
movement invented groundbreaking technology, and lastly through wars, people
realized that being ruled by one all-powerful monarchy is not the way they want to
live. A lot of credit can go to the Enlightenment and Romantic periods, but the
Modern period shaped the world so radically that it would not be the same without
it.
Modern history is the history of the world beginning after the Middle Ages.
Generally the term "modern history" refers to the history of the world since the
advent of the Age of Reason and the Age of Enlightenment in the 17th and 18th
centuries and the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
The early modern period is roughly around the 1500s - 1800s. It begins
with European exploration and ends around the period of the French Revolution.
The late modern period follows the early modern period and ends around World
War 2.

https://www.utwente.nl/en/bms/steps/education/msc/courses/
162261sciencetechnmodernsociet/

22
The First Industrial Revolution

Steam power. This era saw the development of steam engines to power factory
machinery. Heating water in a boiler to make steam to power a vehicle was a
major technological advance. James Watt is recognized as the inventor of the
steam engine in 1765. Water could be pumped out of mines and industrial
processes speeded up. George Stephenson’s, Rocket was the first locomotive to
pull heavy loads a long distance. This led to the rapid expansion of railways
throughout Britain and the world. The combination of iron and steam paved the
way for the great Victorian engineering projects of Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He
designed bridges, tunnels, viaducts and ships.

http
s/www..historyhit,com/key imventions

Photography is the art, application and practice of creating durable images by

recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means
of an image sensor, or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as
photographic film.

https://www.google.com/search1C1CHNphotography

23
A cotton gin is a machine that quickly and easily separates cotton fibers from
their seeds, enabling much greater productivity than manual cotton separation.
The fibers are then processed into various cotton goods such as linens, while
any undamaged cotton is used largely for textiles like clothing.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHNYCotton+gin&stick

Typewriters were a very good way to write books. Typewriters were much more
comfortable than writing in hand. This helped the industrial revolution by allowing
people to write manuals for the workers and mass produce them much easier.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz+impact+of+typewriter

In the 1880s, when the typewriter was first adopted in many

offices, America was a country in the throes of rapid change. The way in which
the typewriter was adopted reflected changes in women's roles, new ideas about
the organization of work, and the rapidly growing corporations of the day.

24
Telegraph
Samuel F. B. Morse created the telegraph in 1836. This invention changed
the face of communication. Instant communication became possible between the
east and west coasts and allowed people to know what was happening. This
would revolutionize media and personal. It worked by transmitting electrical
signals over a wire lay between stations communication.
The telegraph revolutionized long-distance communication.
Each new communications technology has had a greater impact on
society than the one before. The telegraph changed society indirectly, by
transforming the workings of government and industry. But the telephone and
radio had direct impacts on people's working and social lives.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHNYAbS35jACg&q=i+imaget+of+telegraph

Sewing Machine

Elias Howe created the sewing machine in 1844. This forever changed the
way clothes were made and allowed the mass production of clothing. Before this
it was most common for women to make all of the clothes for their families. Only
the very wealthy could afford to have a tailor or seamstress make custom
clothing of the latest fashion. It was later improved upon and patented by Isaac
Singer

htt
ps://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHNYwAOgib6wBw&qsewing+machine

25
Power Loom

Edmund Cartwright invented the power loom in 1785. It dramatically

changed the way cloth was woven by making it much easier. It would take almost
another fifty years and several alterations by other inventors before it would
become commonly used.
The power loom, which partially automated textile weaving, was one of the
most important inventions of the Industrial Revolution.
The loom and associated equipment went into operation in 1817, and with
Lyman's encouragement, Gilmour made his design freely available to other
mechanics

https://www.google.com/search?q=power+loom+image&rlz=1C1CHNY

Power looms reduced demand for skilled handweavers, initially causing reduced

wages and unemployment. Protests followed their introduction. For example, in
1816 two thousand rioting Calton weavers tried to destroy power loom mills and
stoned the workers.

THE SECOND INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Bulb. In 1879, Thomas Edison’s

invented electric light bulbs for cheaper,
opt for clean and convenient electric
lights. To sell bulbs, energy was
needed, so Edison’s Electric Illumination
Company built their own power station
in New York.

https://www.google.com/search?
rlz=1C1CHNYiimage+of+bulb+in+second+ind
ustrial+revolution&tbm

26
The telephone. This is an invention that made money. Alexander Graham Bell
was the first in the race to patent a machine in 1876 that you could use to talk to
someone on the other side of the world. Admittedly, it was initially from one room
to another. The message was “Mr. Watson, come here, I want you”. A year later
in 1877 he set up his company and demonstrated long distance calls.

https://www.google.com/search?
rlz=1C1CHNYimage+of+telephone+in+second+industrial+revolution

The motor car. Until the 1860s all prototype motor cars were steam driven.
German inventor Nicolas Otto created an improved internal combustion engine in
1876 and this is still the way cars work today. In 1885, the first car, the Benz
Patent Motorwagen, was developed by Karl Benz. It was a long time before cars
became common. Petrol, a cleaning fluid, was only available from the chemist.
Famous names such as Rolls Royce and Henry Ford developed the technology;
Rolls Royce for the rich and Henry Ford for the man in the street.

h
ttps://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHNY_ imageof+motor i+second industrial+revolution

27
The movies. It has been only just over one hundred years since the first movie,
or film, was shown by the brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière at the Grand Café
in Paris. The terrifying film was entitled The Arrival of a Train at Ciotat Station. In
1889, George Eastman pioneered celluloid film with holes punched in the side so
that the movie camera could show the film precisely frame by frame.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHNY_image+of+movies+
+in+second+industrial+revolution

X-rays Science is impressive when something is discovered that cannot be seen.

In 1895, German physicist Wilhelm Rontgen working with electrical discharges in
glass tubes noticed that there was a faint glow on a nearby screen. These rays
were invisible and could pass through most materials. He also recorded them on
photographic paper and thus the first X-ray image was developed. He quickly
realized the medical potential of his discovery. Henri Becquerel discovered
radioactivity in 1896 while trying to find more out about X-rays. Marie Curie, a
Polish born French chemist and physicist and two times Nobel Prize winner, is
best remembered for her research into radioactivity and new radioactive
elements.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHNY-QaWha+image+of++x-ray+machin e

28
Communications Radio waves travel in all directions at an incredible 300 000
km per second. The German physicist Heinrich Hertz was the first to prove they
existed but it was Guglielmo Marconi who set up the world’s first radio stations to
transmit and receive Morse code. In 1896, he sent the first message across the
Atlantic from Cornwall to Newfoundland. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for
Physics in 1909. It was not until 1915 that engineers were able to transmit sound
effectively. The first clear television pictures to be transmitted were sent by
Scottish-born John Logie Baird. He founded the Baird Television Company
Limited and worked on programs for the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation).

https://www.google.com/search?
rlz=1C1CHNYof+communication+radio+in+second+industrial+revolution

Flight. At the turn of the century, in 1903, two bicycle repairmen from Ohio,
Wilbur and Orville Wright built and flew the first really successful airplane near
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. From that time progress was rapid and the military
advantages of flight were realized in WWI.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHNYi+image+ofcommunication+radio

29
Rockets and space flights. The earliest rockets were used in China in the 11th
century but by the 19th century speed and accuracy were much improved.
Knowledge of astronomy meant that scientists knew the relative movements of
the planets in relation to the Earth. A Russian mathematics teacher, Konstantin
Tsiolkovsky was the first person to draw up plans for space stations and air locks
to allow space walks. He correctly calculated that a rocket would have to travel at
8 km per second to leave the atmosphere and that liquid rocket fuel would be
essential. American scientist Robert Goddard not knowing of Tsiolkovsky’s ideas,
independently developed liquid fuelled rockets from 1926. Ultimately, NASA took
up the challenge but the Russians eventually won the race to put a man into
orbit. Yuri Gagarin orbited the earth in 1961. In the US, NASA scientists
redressed the balance in the space race with their moon landing in 1969.

https://www.google.com/search?
rlz=1C1CHNYspace+flights+in+second+industrial+revolution

30
The atomic bomb. Science and technological advances can be seen as good or
bad. The invention of gunpowder must have seemed like that. In 1932, physicists
John Cockcroft and Earnest Walton did the impossible. They proved Albert
Einstein’s theory of relativity and unlocked the secrets of the atomic nucleus.
Splitting the atom was a brilliant scientific achievement. However, It allowed
scientists to develop the atomic bomb that was used to destroy Hiroshima and
Nagasaki in Japan to end the WWII in 1945.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHNYatomic+bomb+
+in+second+industrial+revolution

THE THIRD SCIENTIFIC-TECHNICAL REVOLUTION

After the WWII new discoveries and advances in science and technology
came thick and fast. Plastics were developed for the first time. In 1949, the first
practical programmed electronic computer ran mathematical problems.
It fitted into one room! In the 1960s, the electronic silicon chip was invented;
computers became smaller and more powerful. In 1984, the CD was born and
the digital revolution began.
The worldwide web has given us access to billions of documents with
information and images as well as online shopping and banking.
Mobile telephone technology means we have instant contact with friends and
family. During this period, there have also been huge advances in genetics since
the discovery of the structure of DNA in 1953. Today, genetic engineering and
nanotechnology show fast growth trends and, also, are big business.

31
 MODULE 3
INTELLECTUAL REVOLUTION THAT DEFINED SOCIETY

INTRODUCTION

This section reviews the intellectual revolutions that changed the way people
perceive the influence of science on society in general. It focuses on the most
intellectual revolutions in history: Copernican, Darwinian and Freudian. By
discussing this topic in the context of science, technology and society, the
attention of students are drawn again toward the complex interplay of the various
social contexts and the development of modern science. The section also
engages students in a critical analysis of ongoing intellectual and scientific
revolutions, which they may find themselves to be part of.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this module, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the intellectual revolutions that shaped society’s across time;
2. Discuss how the ideas postulated by Copernicus, Darwin, and Freud
changed the way how humans see the world
3. Analyze how scientific revolution is done in various parts of the world
like in Latin America, East Asia, Middle East, and Africa

Human beings have undertaken scientific activities in order to understand

how the nature works. They have persistently studied physical and natural world
to find meaning and answers to their question. Over the years, society has been
reformed by new ideas of science. We learn more and more about global
warming, outer space, and technology. However, this pattern of gaining
knowledge did not pick up significantly until the Scientific Revolution. In the
sixteenth and seventeenth century, the Scientific Revolution started, which
concerned the fields of astronomy, mechanics, and medicine. These new
scientists used math and observations strongly contradicting religious thought at
the time, which was dependent on the Aristotelian-Ptolemy theory.

Source: http://www.actforlibraries.org/difference-between-heliocentric-and-geocentric-models-of-the-universe/

32
 The geocentric model of the universe was formulated by the Greek
philosopher Ptolemy around 140 AD. The sun, moon, planets and stars all
revolved around the earth in circular orbits. There were problems with this model
because the planets do not move on circular orbits and they wander among
stars. Their speed varies, their orbits wobble, and they occasionally reverse their
direction of travel, what is known as "retrograde" motion. At that time it was
believed that planetary motion must be based on circles. Plato had argued that
heavenly bodies were governed by different laws than those that governed the
motion of objects on earth.

The Copernican Revolution

The view of geocentric universe could not answers irregularities of the

movement of the earth, until the early sixteenth century when the Polish
astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus, develop a different model. According to him,
the apparent movement of the heavens was an illusion, caused by the movement
of the observer. He went on to argue that the wandering motion of the planets
could be explained if they were orbiting the sun rather than the earth. This led to
heliocentric theory that the earth was itself just another planet orbiting the sun.
Being a distinguished churchman, Copernicus knew how tenaciously it
held geocentric theory. In proposing heliocentric theory, he was not just
challenging orthodox science; he was challenging the established religious view
of reality, which in those days held even greater sway than the scientific view.
So, fearing the wrath of the church, he kept his ideas to himself for thirty years.
Only as he was nearing death, he finally decided to publish his book On the
Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres ( this is the start of scientific revolution)
but it was immediately placed on the list of forbidden books.
After eighty years, an Italian scientist Galileo Galilei took up an interest in
planetary motions. Utilizing the newly invented telescope, he found convincing
evidence in favor of the Copernican model. He saw that Venus had phases, just
like the moon, when only half, or just a crescent, of it would be lit, which is what
would happen if Venus orbited the sun. He also found that Jupiter had its own
moons in orbit around it, dispelling the idea that everything went around the
earth. Under threat of torture, he was forced to detest the absurd view that the
earth moves around the sun. He was then put under house-arrest so that he
could be watched and remained there till his death.
A German mathematician, Johannes Kepler, put into place another key
piece of the puzzle. He formulated three major laws of planetary motion,
conventionally designated as follows: (1) the planets move in elliptical orbits with
the Sun at one focus; (2) the time necessary to traverse any arc of a planetary
orbit is proportional to the area of the sector between the central body and that
arc; and (3) there is an exact relationship between the squares of the planets’
periodic times and the cubes of the radii of their orbits.

33
 Kepler himself did not call these discoveries
“laws,” as would become customary after Isaac
Newton derived his mathematical description of
gravity for planetary motion. He regarded them
as celestial harmonies that reflected God’s
design for the universe.

Kepler and Newton’s discoveries turned

Nicolaus Copernicus’s Sun-centred system into
a dynamic universe, with the Sun actively
pushing the planets around in noncircular
orbits.
https://earthsky.org/human-world/
johannes-kepler-birthday-dec-27-1571

Darwinian Revolution

Source:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/sep/18/charles-
darwin-victorian-mythmaker-review-an-wilson

Charles Robert Darwin, English naturalist popularized theory of evolution

by natural selection became the foundation of modern evolutionary studies. His
theory sets about explaining the progressive changes that occur within species
down the generations, as well as the formation of new species, when
environmental pressures have differential effects on the reproductive success of
all individuals.

Darwin's observations

1. All species have such great potential fertility that their population size
would increase exponentially if all individuals will reproduce successfully.

2. Populations tend to remain stable in size, except for seasonal fluctuations.

3. Environmental resources for things such as food and shelter are limited.

34
 4. Individuals of a population vary extensively in their characteristics which
impacts upon their own ability to survive and reproduce.

5. Much of this variation is genetic and is therefore heritable.

Inferences drawn from observations

1. Due to the limited resources, there is a struggle for existence among

individuals - often with only a fraction of offspring surviving through each
generation to reproduce successfully.

2. It is not a random process that determines which individuals will reproduce

and which will not, as it depends in part on the genetic / hereditary
constitution of those surviving individuals. Those individuals whose
inherited characteristics best suit them to that environment in which they
live are likely to have more offspring than those that are not so well
adapted to the environment. This, by definition, is natural selection.

3. The unequal ability between individuals to survive and reproduce will lead
to gradual evolution of the population, with favorable characteristics
accumulating over the generations through natural selection.

Natural selection shapes adaptations and differentiates between the reproductive

successes of individuals. Adaptations are anatomical structures, physiological
processes, or patterns of behavior that contribute to ancestral survival through
the unique suitability of those traits (Crawford, 1998).

Theory of Natural Selection

1. Natural selection is differential success in reproduction.

2. Natural selection occurs through an interaction between the environment

and the variability inherent among the individual organisms making up a
population.

3. The product of natural selection in the adaptation of populations of

organisms to their environments.

Theory of Evolution

1. Evolution is not progressive - Evolution is not designed to produce the

best quality products, it only seeks to design adaptations 'that will do the
job' most efficiently and economically. Therefore, evolution used the
'mammal template' throughout the development of all mammal species -
eg. pentadactyl limbs, mammary glands, spinal curvature, pelvis structure

35
 - and made the necessary modifications to suit the niche that species lived
in.

2. Evolution is not an argument for the status quo - Evolution does not
dictate why things are the way they are. It must be remembered that some
of an animal’s features may be by-products of the evolution of an
unrelated adaptation.

3. Evolution provides constraints - What has gone before sets physical limits
on what we can do now. This is seen in the fact that we learn some things
much more readily than others. In this sense evolution has also
constrained what things we are able to perceive and attend to.
4. Evolution provides complexity from simplicity - Species that depend on
each other for food (predator - prey relationships) often enter into 'arms
races', as they try to outdo each other.

To understand the origin of

whales, it's necessary to have a basic
understanding of how natural selection
works. Natural selection can change a
species in small ways, causing a
population to change color or size over
the course of several generations. This
is called "microevolution". Given
enough time and enough accumulated
changes, natural selection can create
entirely new species, known as
"macroevolution." It can turn dinosaurs
into birds, amphibious mammals into
whales and the ancestors of apes
into human.
Source:https://
reason.kzoo.edu/biology/
courses/BIOL102/

36
Freudian Revolution

Source: https://www.simplypsychology.org/Sigmund-Freud.html

Sigmund Freud was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of

psychoanalysis.
His work and theories helped shape our views of childhood, personality, memory,
sexuality, and therapy. His ideas have become interwoven into the fabric of our
culture, with terms such as "Freudian slip", "repression", and "denial" appearing
regularly in everyday language.

One of his most enduring

ideas is the concept of
the unconscious mind, which is a
reservoir of thoughts, memories,
and emotions that lie outside the
awareness of the conscious
mind. He also proposed that
personality was made up of three
key elements, the id, the ego,
and the superego. Some other
important Freudian theories
include his concepts of life and
death instincts, the theory
of psychosexual development,
and the mechanisms of defense. 

37
Source: https://www.slideshare.net/dennis43/lec-11-freudian-theory

MODULE 4
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN NATION BUILDING

INTRODUCTION
This section situates science, technology and society in the context of
Philippine nation building. It traced the historical development of science and
technology on from pre-colonial times up to present administration. These
discussions are geared towards engaging students in a critical analysis of
Science and technology as a tool for nation building.

INTENDED LEARNING OUCOMES

At the end of this module, the students should be able to:
1. Explain how early Filipinos applied scientific principles in their daily living
2. Evaluate government policies on science and technology in terms of each
contribution to the nation building
3. Discuss the role of science and technology in nation-building

The development of Science and technology in the Philippines has already

come a long way. The Philippines has improved in terms of its preparedness for
technological change in the next few years. Many significant inventions and
discoveries have been accomplished by or attributed to Filipinos.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is the premiere science
and technology body in the country charged with the twin mandate of providing
central direction, leadership and coordination of all scientific and technological
activities, and of formulating policies, programs and projects to support national
development.

Pre-Spanish Period
Prior to colonization by the Spaniards in the Philippine islands, the natives
already had technology. Filipinos were already aware of the medicinal and

38
therapeutic properties of plants and the methods of extracting medicine from
herbs.
They already had an alphabet called baybayin,an indigenous Indic
script that has been widely used in traditional Tagalog domains. They also have
number system, a weighing and measuring system and a calendar. Filipinos
were already engaged in farming, shipbuilding, mining and weaving.

The Banaue Rice Terraces are among the

sophisticated products of engineering by pre-
Spanish era Filipinos. It shows the innovative
and ingenious way of the natives to survive. It
is commonly thought that the terraces were
built with minimal equipment, largely by hand.
The terraces are occasionally called the
"Eighth Wonder of the World".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banaue_Rice_Terraces

Spanish Colonial Period

The Spanish colonization contributed to
growth of science and technology in the
Philippines. They also provided modern
means of construction to the field of
engineering by constructing government
buildings, churches, roads, bridges and
forts. They introduced formal education
and founded scientific institution.
Source:https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/St-Augustine-Church-in-Paoay

Parish schools were established where religion, reading, writing,

arithmetic and music was taught. The study of medicine in the Philippines was
given priority in the Spanish era. Colleges and universities were established
including the University of Santo Tomas.
The Galleon Trade have accounted in the Philippine colonial economy.
Trade was given more focus by the Spaniard colonial authorities due to the
prospects of big profits. The opening of the Suez Canal provides an opportunity
for the Filipino to study in Europe. But health and education systems were only
enjoyed by principalia class.

American Period
July 1, 1901 the Philippine Commission established the Bureau of
Government Laboratories under the Department of Interior. The Bureau dealt
with the study of tropical diseases and laboratory projects. On October 26, 1905,
the Bureau of Government Laboratories was replaced by the Bureau of
Science. The Bureau of Science became the primary research center of the

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Philippines until World War II. Its focus is on agriculture, food processing,
medicine and pharmacy.
On December 8, 1933, the National Research Council of the Philippines
was established. It is considered as the oldest scientific organization that
promotes country’s scientific development. Up to present the agency support
researches through financial grants to research projects, the holding of seminar
and conferences, support for human development. Currently, a measly sum is
shared for allocation to grants for research to bring about sustainability, diversity,
and continuity for humans within their immediate ecosystems.
In 1946, the Bureau of Science was replaced by the Institute of Science. The lack
of support of experimental work and minimal budget for scientific research and
low salaries of scientist leads to establishment of the National Science
Development Board. It was supported by Science Act of 1958 during the regime
of President Carlos P. Garcia.

President Ferdinand Marcos

During Ferdinand Marcos' presidency, many agencies in Science and
Technology was established. He declared that the "advancement of science and
technology is the key for national development."  The Department of Education,
with the National Science Development Board (NSDB), organized Philippine
Science High School System to provide scientifically and research-oriented
student. It focuses in science, technology and mathematics in their curriculum.
He wanted to reduce “brain drain” by providing medical interns do a tour of
duty in provincial hospitals to arouse their social conscious for the love of the
country.
On April 6, 1968, he proclaimed 35 hectares in Bicutan, Taguig, Rizal as the site
of the Philippine Science Community. The government also conducted seminars
for public and private high school and college science teachers, training
programs and scholarships for graduate and undergraduate science scholars,
and workshops on fisheries and oceanography.
In 1970, He established the Philippine Coconut Research Institute to the
NSDB to modernize the coconut industry. The NSDB also established the
Philippine Textile Research Institute. The Philippine Atomic Energy Commission
(PAEC) of the NSDB explored the uses of atomic energy for economic
development. Marcos assisted 107 institutions in undertaking nuclear energy
work by sending scientists to study nuclear science and technology abroad, and
providing basic training to 482 scientists, doctors, engineers, and technicians. It
leads to the creation of Bataan Nuclear Power plant that was never operated
because of the anomalies and geographic location.
In 1972, he created the National Grains Authority (NGA) to provide for the
development of the rice and corn industry to fully harness it for the economy of
the country. He established the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research
(PCAR) to support the progressive development of agriculture, forestry, and
fisheries for the nation.

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 He established the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical
Services Administration (PAGASA) under the Department of National Defense to
provide environmental protection and to utilize scientific knowledge to ensure the
safety of the people.
In 1973, he created the Philippine National Oil Company to promote
industrial and economic development through effective and efficient use of
energy sources.
In 1976, he enacted a law under Presidential Decree No. 1003-A, s. 1976 to
establish the National Academy of Science and Technology, which is composed
of scientists with "innovative achievement in the basic and applied sciences," to
serve as a reservoir of scientific and technological expertise for the country.
In 1978, he created a Task Force on the formulation of a national action
program on science and technology to assess policies and programs of science
and technology. InJuly 23, 1979, the government invested funds and time in
organizations for scientific research, such as the NSDB, the Philippine Council
for Agricultural Research and Resources, the Plant Breeding Institute, the
International Rice Research Institute, the Bureau of Plant Industry, and the
Bureau of Forest Products.
In 1979, he constituted the Health Sciences Center as an autonomous member
within the University of the Philippines System to improve the internal
organization and unity of leadership within its units.
In 1980, he created the National Committee on Geological Sciences to
advise government and private entities on matters concerning development in
geological sciences.
In 1982, he reorganized the National Science Development Board and its
agencies into a National Science and Technology Authority to provide central
direction and coordination of scientific and technological research and
development. He enacted a law on the completion of the National Agriculture and
Life Sciences Research Complex at the University of the Philippines at Los
Baños.
Fifth Republic

In 1986, during Corazon Aquino's presidency, the National Science and

Technology Authority were replaced by the Department of Science and
Technology.
On August 8, 1988, Corazon Aquino created the Presidential Task Force for
Science and Technology which came up with the first Science and Technology
Master Plan or STMP. The goal of STMP was for the Philippines to
achieve newly industrialized country. It was formulated to modernize production
sector, upgrade research activities, and develop infrastructure for science and
technology.
Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988 opened doors to free education up
to the secondary level, implemented in the education system together with this
was the “Science for the Masses Program” which aimed at scientific and
technological literacy among Filipinos

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 A Research and Development Plan was also formulated to examine and
determine which areas of research needed attention. The criteria for identifying
the program to be pursued were, development of local materials, probability of
success, potential of product in the export market, and the its strategic nature.

During President Fidel Ramos administration there was a significant

increase in personnel specializing in the science and technology field. At 1998,
the Philippines was estimated to have around 3,000 competent scientists and
engineers. The government provided 3,500 scholarships for students who were
taking up professions related to S&T. Schools were becoming more modernized
and updated with the addition of high-tech equipment for student improvement
and teachers were getting training programs to benefit themselves and their
students. Health care services were promoted through local programs such as
"Doctors to the Barrio Program."
Priority for S&T personnel increased when Magna Carta for Science and
Technology Personnel was established. The award was published in order to
give incentives and rewards for people who have been influential in the field of
S&T. Fidel V. Ramos believes that science and technology was one of the
means wherein the Philippines could attain the status of new industrialized
country (NIC). During his term, he was able to establish programs that were
significant to the field of S&T. In 1993, Science and Technology Agenda for
National Development (STAND) was established. Among its priorities were:
1. exporting winners identified by the DTI;
2. domestic needs identified by the President's Council for Countryside
Development;
3. support industries and
4. coconut industry development.

Congress, during his term, was able to enact laws that were significant for the
field. Among were:
1. Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel (Republic Act
No. 8439);
2. Science and Technology Scholarship Law of 1994 (Republic Act No.
7687) and
3. Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act (Republic Act No. 7459).
4. The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No.
8293)
In President Joseph Estrada's term, two major legislations that he
signed were Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (PCAA) and Electronic Commerce
Act of 2000 (ECA). PCAA was designed to protect and preserve the
environment and ensure the sustainable development of its natural resources,
and ECA outlaws computer hacking and provides opportunities for new
businesses emerging from the Internet-driven New Economy. Aside from these,
President Estrada launched a full-scale program based on cost-effective
irrigation technologies.

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 President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration was dubbed as the
"golden age" of science and technology. Numerous laws and projects that
concerns both the environment and science was passed to help increase the
productivity from Science, Technology and Innovations (STI) and help benefit the
poor people. "Filipinnovation" was the coined term used in helping the Philippines
to be an innovation hub in Asia.
Helping the environment was one of the focus in developing technology in
the Philippines. One of the more known laws to be passed by her administration
was the R.A. 9367 or the "Biofuels" act. This act promotes the development and
usage of biofuels throughout the country. This potentially enables a cheaper
alternative to gasoline as a medium in producing energy that is ecofriendly.
In an effort to improve the efficiency of both land and water, the government
imposes Republic Act 10601 which improves the Agriculture and Fisheries
Sector through Mechanization (AFMech). RA 10601 covers research,
development, and extension (RDE), promotion, distribution, supply, assembling,
manufacturing, regulation, use, operation, maintenance and project
implementation of agricultural and fisheries machinery and equipment.
In 2010, President Benigno Aquino III proposed 10 ways to fix basic
education in the country. Kindergarten to grade-12 is an education system under
the Department of Education that aims to enhance learners’ basic skills, produce
more competent citizens, and prepare graduates for lifelong learning and
employment.
Today, in the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, the science and
technology sector is top priority based on the budget given for research and
development. Currently, our country has Philippine Space Technology Program
which launched DIwata-2 in 2018 after the launch of Diwata in 2016 that
displayed the Philippine flag in space. It also gives importance to agriculture and
disaster preparedness.

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