1. INTRODUCTION TO STS

Science

• A body of knowledge or facts.

  
  

  
  

• A way of thinking about or approaching a topic.

  
  

  
  

• Asks questions that aim to increase our understanding of the physical universe and our ability to explain nature.

Technology

• Applied science.
  
  

• A topic involving the designing and use of devices, processes, and materials to solve practical problems and to satisfy human needs and wants.

Society

A group, large or small, of people in a particular place and time who are linked by common goals and interests.

Environment

• The natural world or ecosystem.

  
  

  
  

• The area in which something exists or lives.

  
  

  
  

• The complex of physical, chemical, and biological factors in which a living organism or community exists.

  
  

  
  

Impact of Technology and Science

• Community Life

  
  

  
  

• Work

  
  

  
  

• Health

  
  

  
  

• Communication

  
  

Community Life

• Shift to Agriculture & Urbanization:

• The shift from nomadic life to farming led to the development of the city.
  
  

  • Networks of transportation, communication, and trade systems
    
    

  • Specialized labor
    
    

  • Government and religion
    
    

  • Social class
    
    

  • Example: Jerusalem, one of the world's first cities, is still in existence today.

Community Life

• Industrial Revolution (19th Century):

• Brought negative aspects including poor working conditions and long hours.
  

  • Invention of textile manufacturing machines
    

  • Division of labor
    

  • Increase in production
    

  • Crowded cities
    

  • Unsafe and unhealthy working conditions

Community Life

• Rise of Suburbs (20th Century):

• Driven by the invention of the trolley car and automobile
  

• Served as a status symbol
  

• Provided an alternative to harsh, crowded city conditions
  

• Many planned communities sprang up around cities during the first half of the 20th century (e.g., outside Cincinnati, OH).

Work & Leisure

• Workload Reduction:

• Technical innovations saved physical energy and lessened people's workload.
  

  • The tractor
    

  • The refrigerator
    

  • The vacuum cleaner
    

  • The washing machine
    

Work & Leosure

• Development of Leisure:

• The concept of leisure developed from labor-saving technology. People use the money they earn to take advantage of leisure time:
  
  

  • Television
    
    

  • Social Activities
    
    

  • Sporting Events
    
    

  • Movies

Health

• Longevity

• : The greatest innovation of technology was longevity. Estimated life expectancy in the United States steadily increased from 1900 to 2000.
  

Health

• Medical Breakthroughs:

• A large part of technology has been dedicated to the advancement of medical science:

• Edward Jenner

• 1796: he paved the way for modern immunology by discovering a vaccine for smallpox.

• Dr. William Thomas Green Morton

• 1846: was one of the first medical practitioners to use anesthesia on a patient before performing surgery.

• Sir Alexander Fleming

• 1928: discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic.

• Ethical Controversies:
  

  • 1997:

• Scientists at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland, introduced Dolly the sheep—the first mammal ever cloned—which became a symbol of controversy over cloning ethics.

• Embryonic Stem Cell Research:

• While stem cells might generate new organs for transplant, their use involves many ethical considerations.

• Ancient Egypt:

• Papyrus and hieroglyphics

• Ancient Babylonia:

• Cuneiform

• Ancient Greece:

• Public speaking, persuasive rhetoric, drama, and philosophy

• Ancient Rome:

• Roman alphabet

• Modern Europe:

• Printing press

• World Today:

• World Wide Web

• Progress:

• A series of improvements in human life marked by inventions and discoveries.

• Balance:

• The positive attributes of technology must be greater than its negative attributes.

• Negative Consequences:

• Destruction of the environment and loss of what it means to be human.
  
  

  • Example: The Exxon Valdez oil spill off the coast of Alaska in 1989 impacted 1,300 miles of shoreline and killed an enormous amount of wildlife.

3 words that describe SCIENCE

-body of knowledge

-asks questions to increase our understanding

-a way of thinking about a topic

3 words that describes TECHNOLOGY

-applied science

-designing and use of technology

-to satisfy human needs