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0 10-July-2020

Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 1

STUDY GUIDE FOR MODULE NO. 1

INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

MODULE OVERVIEW

This section introduces Science, Technology, and Society (STS) as a field of study. After defining
science and technology, the section traces the historical roots of STS as an academic field. It also
enumerates emerging ethical dilemmas that reinforce the importance of the study of STS in an age of
scientific progress and technological development.

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this Module, you should be able to:

1. explain the scope of the study of STS; and
2. demonstrate preparedness and readiness in the study of STS.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1

Diagnostics

Before continuing on this Module, let us have a short diagnostic test to determine your ideas regarding
science and technology. For the following items, write TRUE if you feel that the statement is correct and
FALSE if the statement is not.
1. Technology is the application of science.
2. Scientific theories are much less valid than scientific laws.
3. Science and technology have potentially negative societal impacts.
4. STS is a multidisciplinary study and draws heavily on the social sciences.
5. Science mainly concerns on the acquisition and production of knowledge from the natural world.
6. Though the knowledge generated by STS is important, it has little bearing on government policy-
making.
7. The study of STS is important for both the natural science community and the social science
community.
8. The domain of science requires skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving but less on
creativity and imagination.
9. When we try to look into how various social factors affect the development of science and how
developments in science affect human society, we are delving into the STS territory.
10. STS deals mostly with historical developments of science and technology and its impact to society
and less with the philosophical implications of these developments.

Once you finish this Module, revisit this activity and answer it again. Did any of your ideas regarding
science, technology, and society change?

GENERAL CONCEPTS RELATED TO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY

Science and technology innovations are prevalent in our society. It permeates our everyday activities,
as well as the tools that we use, from the simplest to the most complex. In order for you to completely grasp
the impact of science and technology on our society, it is necessary to study some concepts related to
science and technology.

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Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 1

What is Science?
You have taken up science subjects since your primary school years, and the definition of science
has been repeatedly discussed since then. To give you a recall, Science comes from the Latin word scientia,
meaning ‘knowledge’. It refers to a systematic and methodical activity of building and organizing knowledge
about how the universe behaves through observation, experimentation, or both. Let’s discuss the nature of
science below for you to understand it better.

The Nature of Science

The Nature of Science (NOS) was put together by the American Association for the Advancement of
Science (AAAS) which was anchored on decades of gathering information through research, investigation,
and experiment about the natural world. It is significant to understand the nature of science because it is a
critical element of scientific literacy. It enhances your understanding of science concepts and enables you to
make informed decisions about scientifically-based personal and societal issues. AAAS believes that all
individuals involved with science teaching and learning should have a shared accurate view of the nature of
scientific knowledge, thus, NOS should be taught explicitly alongside other disciplinary core ideas. The
following sums up the nature of science:

A. The Scientific World View
 The world is understandable
 Scientific ideas are subject to change
 Scientific knowledge is durable
 Science cannot provide complete answers to all questions

B. The Scientific Inquiry

 Science demands evidence
 Science is a blend of logic and imagination
 Science explains and predicts
 Scientists try to identify and avoid bias
 Science is not authoritarian

C. The Scientific Enterprise
 Science is a complex social activity
 Science is organized into content disciplines and is conducted in various institutions
 There are generally accepted ethical principles in the conduct of science
 Scientists participate in public affairs both as specialists and as citizens

Extension Activity

1. Watch this YouTube video from Bozeman Science to further understand the Nature of Science:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkvjDZseD4k&feature=emb_rel_pause

2. Read more about the Nature of Science through this link:

http://www.project2061.org/publications/sfaa/online/chap1.htm

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Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 1

What is Technology?
Technology, the word often attached side by side with science comes from the Greek word techne,
meaning ‘art, skill or cunning of hand’. Technology is a way of knowing and is also a process of exploration
and experimentation. It involves the development and use of materials, tools, and approaches for solving
human problems and helping to fulfill human needs and desires. Technology addresses the needs and wants
of society through the following fields:
 Information and Communication
 Bio-Related and Agriculture
 Medical
 Manufacturing and Construction
 Environmental
 Nanotechnology
 Transportation

It is indisputable that many of the products of technology help humans accomplish tasks that would
otherwise be very difficult or impossible to carry out. Although technology provides many benefits, it also
produces associated costs and risks.

Relationship between Science, Technology, and Society

Science, technology, and society are closely linked, especially through scientific inquiry, technological
problem-solving, and communication. Science frequently utilizes and requires tools and processes developed
by technology, and conversely, technology often employs principles, laws, theories, and processes developed
by means of science. Society, as we know it today, has been affected in many ways by science and
technology.

For example, society demands for an easy-access, and extensive and frequent communication. This
leads to the research and development of an ever-widening array of mobile phone capabilities. Access to
these capabilities, in turn, influenced the way humans live. As society relies more and more on mobile
phones, additional features were continuously requested to improve like increasing the speed of phone
processors, the use of touch-enabled screens, or the implementation of mobile internet access, and the cycle
continues.

HISTORICAL ROOTS OF STS AS AN ACADEMIC FIELD

As problems in science and technology continue to rise and become more observable, the need to pay
attention to their interactions with various aspects of human life, e.g. social, political, and economic, becomes
ever more necessary. How the different aspects of society shape and influence the progression and further
development of science and technology is the area of concern of a relatively new academic discipline called
Science, Technology, and Society.

Science, Technology, and Society (STS) is a relatively young field that combines previously
independent and older disciplines, such as the history of science, philosophy of science, and sociology of
science. As an academic field, STS, according to Harvard University’s Kennedy School (2018), traces its roots
from the interwar period and the start of the Cold War. It was during this period when historians and scientists
found interest in the interconnections of scientific knowledge, technological systems, and society. The rise of
STS as an academic field resulted from the recognition that many schools today do not really prepare

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students to respond critically, reflectively, and proactively to the challenges posed by science and technology
in the modern world.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY OF STS

STS seeks to bridge the gap between two traditionally exclusive cultures --- humanities (interpretive)
and natural sciences (rational) --- so that humans will be able to better confront the moral, ethical, and
existential dilemmas brought by the continued developments in science and technology.

STS aims to help students to develop adaptability, equipped with not only academic skills but with a
range of practical skills which will make them functional citizens. With this, STS calls for educating you (our
students) so that you will be able to apply science and technology (tools, knowledge, process, and products)
to solve problems in your environment. STS is an important academic discipline to help you apply science so
as to be skillful and useful and not just become graduates who are alien to your own society. It is expected
that students like you should become productive members of society who are self-reliant, able to grow their
own food, carry-out disease preventive measures, and well-informed on issues involving science and
technology.

ETHICAL DILEMMAS THAT REINFORCE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY OF STS

Human beings are by no means perfect – we struggle with ethical dilemmas on a daily basis and fail in
doing what we think or believe to be the right thing more often than we would like to admit. Unfortunately,
these failings are also articulated in our technology.

To warn us of these failings, the John J. Reilly Center for Science, Technology, and Values at the
University of Notre Dame compile an annual list of what it determines to be that year’s top 10 ethical
dilemmas in science and technology. The list points to the challenges, questions, and issues that need to be
addressed and resolved when science and technology, and humanity intertwine.

The top 10 ethical dilemmas of science and technology as identified by the John J. Reilly Center
for Science, Technology, and Values at the University of Notre Dame for 2021 can be viewed at this link:
https://www.laboratoryequipment.com/571215-Top-10-Scientific-Technology-Challenges-in-2021/.

You may also view the ethical dilemmas from previous years as listed by the said organization. Even if
several items in the list may sound unfamiliar to you, this reading can be a useful springboard in the study of
science and technology.

Extension Activity
Refer to the work of Lewis Wolpert titled The Medawar Lecture 1998 Is Science Dangerous? through the
link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1569503/

As you read the article, ask yourself the following guide questions, then we will have a reflect-and-share
activity during in-person class.

a. What were Wolpert's major points and support for his claims?
b. Does he believe that science and technology is dangerous?
c. What were his ideas regarding eugenics, cloning, and stem cells? Do you agree or disagree

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with his points regarding these issues? Why or why not?

d. What role does the public play in the purported dangers (or lack thereof) of science and
technology?
e. What role does politics play in the purported dangers (or lack thereof) of science and
technology?
f. What three concepts from the article will you never forget?
g. What three realizations did you have after reading the article? State your answer in the
following manner: Before reading the article, I thought… However, after reading, I can now say
that I learned…
h. What three things are still unclear to you after reading the article?

LEARNING ACTIVITY 2

Asynchronous (Collage-making)
Instruction:
1. On an A4 size coupon bond, create a collage that reflects your view of science and technology. It
should clearly show whether you view science and technology as good, bad, both good and
bad, or neither.

2. Be creative. You can use different art materials (photographs, pieces of paper, fabric, indigenous
materials, etc.) to make it visually appealing and impactful.

3. On another piece of paper, briefly explain your work using 5-10 sentences. Your work will be scored
using the following criteria:

4 3 2 1
Creativity and Work is inventive Work shows a high Work shows some Work is not
originality and shows a high degree of degree of original.
degree of imagination and inventiveness and
imagination and resourcefulness. resourcefulness.
resourcefulness.

Visual appeal The collage is The collage is The collage is The collage is
exceptionally attractive in terms tolerably attractive messy and poorly
attractive in terms of layout, design, in terms of layout, designed and laid
of layout, design, and neatness. design, and out
and neatness. neatness.

Clarity of The message of The message of The message of The message of

message the collage is the collage is clear the collage is the collage is
exceptionally clear and impactful. comprehensible incomprehensible.
and impactful. but may lack
impact.

Explanation The explanation The explanation The explanation The explanation

was complete, was complete and was complete, but was incomplete,
concise, and clear. clear. may be long- long-winded, and
winded or unclear. unclear.

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Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 1

Timeliness Completed work Completed work Completed work Completed work

was passed earlier was passed on the was passed the was passed more
than the deadline deadline given. day after the than a day after
given. deadline given. the deadline given.

In-person (Group Work)

Instruction:
1. Form groups with 3-4 members.

2. 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 2021.

3. Each group will be assigned one emerging ethical dilemma in science and technology.

4. Research the nature of the dilemma assigned to your group and be prepared to report the highlights of
your research in class.

5. Create a PowerPoint Presentation (no more than five slides) to highlight the summary of your research.

6. Use the guide questions below in preparing for your output:

a. What is the emerging dilemma all about?
b. What factors or events led to this dilemma?
c. What are the societal implications of this dilemma?
d. Why is it important to question the moral and ethical issues surrounding innovations in science and
technology?
e. In the face of this dilemma, why is it important to study STS?

SUMMARY

The following learning points summarize what you have learned in this section:
 Science is a systematic and methodical activity of building and organizing knowledge about how the
universe behaves through observation, experimentation or both.

 Scientists assume that nature can be understood through systematic study, scientific ideas are open
to revision, sound scientific ideas withstand the test of time, and science cannot provide answers to all
questions.

 Technology involves the development and use of materials, tools, and approaches for solving human
problems and helping to fulfill human needs and desires.

 STS as an academic discipline is primarily concerned with how the different aspects of society shape
and influence the progression and further development of science and technology.

 STS seeks to bridge the gap between humanities and natural sciences.

REFERENCES

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Study Guide in GE 6: Science, Technology, and Society Module No. 1

 Ihueze,C., Okpala, C., Okafor, E. & Okonkwo, U. (2015). Harnessing Science, Technology and
Innovations (STI) for Sustainable Industrial and Economic Development. p380. International Journal
of Engineering and Management Research. Vandana Publications. Retrieved from www.ijemr.net

 Quinto, Edward Jay M. and Nieva, Aileen D. (2019). Science, Technology, and Society. pp 2-14.
Quezon City: C&E Publishing.

 Ruparanganda,F. (2016). An evaluation of the implementation of the Science-Technology and Society

(STS) concept in Science Instruction in secondary schools in Zimbabwe. South American Journal of
Academic Research Special Edition. Retrieved from https://www.texilajournal.com/

 Sarkar, S. and Pfeifer, J. Eds. (2016) The philosophy of science: an encyclopedia. pp. 749-753. USA:
Taylor and Francis Group. Retrieved from
fitelson.org/probability/sarkar_philosophy_of_science_encyclopedia.pdf

 American Association for the Advancement of Science. The Nature of Science. Retrieved from
http://project2061.org

 Wakim, S. & Grewal, M. (2020). The Nature of Science. Retrieved from https://bio.libretexts.org/

 Wolpert, L. (2005). The Medawar Lecture 1998 Is Science Dangerous? In Philosophical Transactions
B. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1569503/

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