Sts Module1
Sts Module1
MODULE I
LESSON 1
Introduction to Science Technology and Society 3
LESSON 2
Intellectual Revolutions and Society 16
LESSON 3
Science and Technology and Nation Building 20
MODULE 2
LESSON 1
Technology as a Way of Revealing 29
LESSON 2
Human Flourishing 33
LESSON 3
The Good Life 39
MODULE 3
LESSON 1
Biodiversity and a Healthy Society 65
LESSON 2
Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) and Gene Therapy 71
LESSON 3
Nanotechnology 82
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OVERVIEW
This module introduces students to the study of Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
beginning with the general concepts and its historical development. It also covers the impact of
science and technology and their interactions within various social contexts, with emphasis on
the role of science and technology in Philippine nation building.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
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MODULE 1: GENERAL CONCEPTS AND HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you shall have:
1. pointed out the different issues and problems that deal with science and technology.
2. explained how scientific and technological inventions shaped and were shaped by
various social contexts.
3. designed your own innovation that will be used to help the future generation.
3. explained how intellectual revolutions transformed the views of society about
dominant scientific thought
4. researched on other intellectual revolutions that advance modern science and scientific
thinking.
5. identified the contributions of Filipino scientists in science and technology.
“What defines a technological tool – one historical definition – is something that takes a
human’s sense or ability and augments it and makes it more powerful. So , for example, I wear
contact lenses or glasses; that is a technology that enhances my human ability of vision and
makes it better.”
- Mark Zuckerberg on his definition of a technological tool (2004)
Science
Technology
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The application of scientific knowledge, laws, and principles to produce services,
materials, tools, and machines aimed at solving real-world problems.
Nowadays, advancements in science and technology have become pervasive. They are
manifested in the activities that humans pursue and the tools they use every day. The beauty of
this is that advancement builds upon itself. As such, humans today live more productive and
more exciting lives than their predecessors. With the way things go, it could be expected that this
generation’s children and the children of their children have the chance to lead even better lives
than this generation already does.
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The John J. Reilly Center for Science, technology, and
Values of the University Of Notre Dame is responsible for
listing the ten emerging ethical dilemmas and policy issues in
science and technology every year. Below is the list for 2018:
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Activity #1
A. Reflection task
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2. How does this particular issue or problem impact the well-being of humans today?
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3. Why is it important for people to study and learn about STS as an academic field, especially in
addressing the issue or problem depicted in the photograph?
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Activity #2
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B. Issues in Science and Technology
Instructions: Review the ten emerging ethical and policy issue dilemmas compiled by the John
J. Reilly Center for Science, Technology, and Values of the University Of Notre Dame for 2018.
Choose one ethical dilemma and research about the chosen dilemma. Below are the guide
questions:
1. What is the emerging ethical dilemma all about?
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4. Why is it important to question the moral and ethical issues surrounding innovations in science
and technology?
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An antecedent is defined as a precursor to the unfolding or existence of something. Thus,
historical antecedents in science and technology are factors that paved the way for the presence
of advanced and sophisticated scientific and technological innovations today.
Ancient Period
The rise of ancient civilizations paved the way for the advances in science and
technology. These advances during the Ancient period allowed civilizations to flourish by
finding better ways of communication, transportation, self-organization, and of living in general.
1. Ancient Wheel
2. Paper
3. Shadoof
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An early tool invented by ancient Egyptians to irrigate land.
The shadoof, also spelled as shaduf, is a hand-operated device used for lifting water.
Because of this invention, irrigation and farming became much more efficient.
The shadoof is also believed to be an ancient precursor of more sophisticated irrigation
tools.
4. Antikythera mechanism
5. Aeolipile
Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages (late 15th century AD), major advances in scientific and
technological development took place. Many medieval universities at the time stirred
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scientific thinking and built infrastructures for scientific communities to flourish. As such,
some of humanity’s most important present-day technologies could be traced back to their
historical antecedents in the Middle Ages.
1. Heavy Plough
2. Gunpowder
3. Paper Money
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Traders and merchants eventually realized the huge advantage of using paper money
because it was easier to transport around compared to the previous forms of currencies.
4. Mechanical Clock
5. Spinning Wheel
Modern Ages
Today, industrialization took place with greater risks in human health, food safety, and
environment which had to be addressed as scientific and technological progress at an
unimaginable speed.
1. Compound Microscope
2. Telescope
3. Jacquard Loom
4. Engine-Powered Airplane
Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright are credited for designing and successfully
operating the first engine-powered
aircraft.
Orville and Wilbur proved that aircrafts
could fly without airfoil-shaped wings.
They demonstrated this in their original
Flying Machine patent (US patent
#821393), showing that slightly-tilted
wings, which they referred to as aero
planes, were the key features of a
powered aircraft. Their pioneering success marked an age of powered flights.
The Wright brothers paved the way for modern aircraft technology.
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5. Television
Jeepneys were designed and improvised from scratch out of military jeeps that the
Americans left after World War II.
E-jeepneys were first introduced in
Metro Manila and Bacolod City.
The e-jeepney is the intensive response
to criticisms to the traditional jeepney
that belched smoke, directly causing air
pollution which made it unsustainable
and uneconomical.
E-jeepneys are designed to be
environment-friendly, eliminating
noise and air pollution as they run on electricity.
2. Erythromycin
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3. Medical Incubator
4. Mole Remover
5. Banana Ketchup
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Activity #3
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2. How is your invention similar to or different from existing tools or technologies in terms of
function?
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3. Why is there a need for this invention? How will this invention make the world a better place
to live in?
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Lesson 2: Intellectual Revolutions and Society
Intellectual Revolutions
Refer to the series of events that led to the emergence of modern science and the progress
of scientific thinking across critical periods in history.
Another important area of interest in the history of science and technology. In this area,
interest lies in how intellectual revolutions emerged as a result of the interaction of
science and technology and of society. It covers how intellectual revolutions altered the
way modern science was understood and approached.
Challenged long-held views about the nature of the universe. Thus, these revolutions
were often met with huge resistance and controversy.
Copernican Revolution
Refers to the 16th century paradigm shift named after Polish mathematician and
astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus.
Copernicus formulated the heliocentric model of the
universe.
Geocentric model of Ptolemy- the Earth was the center of the
universe.
Heliocentric model was introduced in a 40 page outline
entitled Commentariolus.
De RevolutionibusOrbiumCoelestium(The Revolution of
Celestial Spheres) – the heliocentric model was formalized
(1543)
Heliocentric model – the sun is at the center of the universe;
the Earth rotates on its own axis; other heavenly bodies
rotating around the sun.
The heliocentric model was met with huge resistance, primarily from the Church,
accusing Copernicus of heresy. Copernicus faced persecution from the Church because of
this.
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Darwinian Revolution
Charles Darwin
English naturalist, geologist, and biologist
Famous for his theory of evolution
Intellectually gifted and wealthy family
Developed his interest in natural history during his
time as a student at Shrewsbury School
Mediocre student
Struggled in his study in medicine and ministry
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HMS Beagle
Island of Galapagos
Five-year voyage
Freudian Revolution
Sigmund Freud
A famous figure in the field of psychology
Austrian neurologist
Credited for stirring a 20th century intellectual
revolution Freudian Revolution
Psychoanalysis
A scientific method of understanding inner
and unconscious conflicts embedded within
one’s personality, springing from free
associations, dreams, and fantasies of an
individual.
Controversial due to the existence of the
unconscious outside one’s conscious mind.
Freud suggested that humans are inherently
pleasure-seeking individuals.
Psychoanalysis included Oedipus and
Electra complex which was criticized for lack of vitality and bordering on being
unscientific as a theory.
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ACTIVITY #4
Research on a particular intellectual revolution that took place in any of the four geographical
locations mentioned. Use A4 bond paper to present or illustrate your chosen intellectual
revolution. Use the following guide questions for your presentation.
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3. How did the revolution advance modern science and scientific thinking at the time?
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Lesson 3: Science and Technology and Nation Building
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American Colonial Period
Institutions for science and technology were reorganized
Laboratorio Municipal – Bureau of Government Laboratories (United States Department
of Interior) Established for the purpose of studying tropical diseases and pursuing other
related research projects.
Bureau of Science (1905) – Institute of Science (1946) Main research center of the
Philippines
National Research Council of the Philippines (1933)
Developments in science and technology during the American regime were focused on
agriculture, medicine and pharmacy, food processing, and forestry.
Organizations established
Philippine Textile Research Institute
Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (Philippine Nuclear Institute)
National Grains Authority (National Food Authority)
Philippine Council for Agricultural Research (Philippine Council for Agriculture,
Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development)
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA)
Philippine National Oil Company
Plant Breeding Institute
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
Bureau of Plant industry
Bureau of Forest Products
National Committee on Geological Sciences
National Science Development Board (NSDB) – National Science and Technology
Authority (NSTA) (1981)
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National Academy of Science and Technology (1976) - Reservoir of science and
technological expertise in the country
Salary increases for teachers and administrators at the Philippine Science High School
Mindanao and Visayas campuses for the Philippine Science High School
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President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
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ACTIVITY #5
Instructions: Choose one among the following Filipino scientists and inventors:
Create a flash card showing the profession of the scientist/ inventor, his or her specialization, and
his or her most significant contribution.
RUBRICS
ACTIVITY #1 & #4
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particular topic.
Reader gains
important
insights.
Overall appearance The output is The output is The output The output is
very organized, organized, is unclear and
neat and easily neat, and moderately not easily
understood. understood. organized understood.
and
somewhat
understood.
GRAND TOTAL
ACTIVITY #2
CRITERIA EXEMPLARY (5 pts.) GOOD (4 pts.) FAIR (3 pts.) POOR (2 pts.) TOTAL
Purpose/Introduction The writer’s purpose The writing has The central The purpose
or argument is a clear purpose purpose or or argument
readily apparent to or argument, argument is is generally
the reader. but may not unclear.
sometimes stray consistently
off from the clear
subject. throughout
the paper.
Content Complete Information Information Central
presentation of provides supports a purpose is
relevant and correct reasonable central not clearly
information that support for a purpose of identified.
clearly supports a central purpose the topic at Insufficient
central purpose or of the topic. times. supporting
argument and in- Reader gains Reader gains details and
depth analysis of a some insights. few insights. caused
chosen particular confusion to
topic. Reader gains the readers.
important insights.
Organization, The ideas are The ideas are The writing The writing
sentence structure/ arranged logically to arranged to is arranged is not
word choice support the purpose. support the logically, logically
The flow of ideas is purpose. It is although organized.
smoothly linked usually clearly occasionally Frequently,
each other. Sentence linked to each ideas fail to ideas fail to
formations are other. There is make sense make sense
correctly structured. some variety in together. The together,
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The reader can sentence reader is There are
follow the line of structure. fairly clear errors in the
reasoning. what the sentence
write structure and
intends. distract the
readers.
Mood/impact to the The writer is The writing is The writing The writing
readers compelling and generally is dull and has little
hooks the interest of engaging, but unengaging/ personality.
the readers and has some Some parts It quickly
sustains it all dry/dull are loses interest
throughout. moments. Still interesting, among the
keeps the but not readers.
reader’s maintained
attention.
GRAND TOTAL
ACTIVITY #3
EXEMPLARY GOOD (8 pts.) FAIR (6 pts.) POOR (4 pts.) TOTA
(10 pts.) L
Composition/Design/ The artwork is The artwork The artwork
Planning The artwork is planned shows little shows no
planned carefully; evidence of understanding
carefully; understanding understanding of the
understanding of most the concepts concepts and
of all concepts concepts and and instructions.
and instructions is instructions.
instructions is demonstrated.
clearly
demonstrated.
Craftsmanship The artwork The artwork The artwork
shows shows good shows limited The artwork
outstanding craftsmanship, craftsmanship shows
craftsmanship, with some and little minimal or no
with clear attention to attention to craftsmanship
attention to control, control, and attention
control, adaptation, adaptation, to control, and
adaptation, selection and and understanding
and understanding understanding of the
understanding of the of the medium/medi
of the medium/medi medium/medi a.
medium/medi a. a.
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a.
Creativity The artwork The artwork The artwork The artwork
demonstrates demonstrates demonstrates demonstrates
a challenging a satisfactory a basic level very little
level of level of of attention to attention to
production production production, production,
and creativity and creativity creativity creativity
GRAND TOTAL
ACTIVITY #5
EXEMPLARY (10 GOOD (8 pts.) FAIR (6 pts.) POOR (4 pts.) TOTAL
pts.)
Creativity Exemplary Most of the Very few Lack of
creative details show details show creativity
creativity creativity
Neatness Outstanding, all Almost all Very few Lack of
flashcards are flashcards details are neatness
neat. are neat and neat.
clear.
References
Mansarete, E.J and Nieva, A.D (2019) Science, technology, and society. Quezon City,
Philippines: C & E Publishing
Serafica, J.P, Pawilen, G.T, Caslib, B.N Jr., and Alata, E.J (2018)Science, technology,
and society. Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines: Rex Bookstore
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