STS midterm

I. Human Flourishing

Key Idea: Living a good life — being healthy, happy, and fulfilled.

Examples:

-A student who has access to free education, nutritious food, and safe housing is more likely to succeed and feel happy.

-Electricity in rural areas improves living conditions — kids can study at night, families can preserve food, etc.

-Mental health apps (e.g., Calm or Headspace) help people manage stress and find peace.

II. Science, Technology, and Human Flourishing

Key Idea: Science and technology should aim to improve people’s lives — but they can also cause harm if misused.

Positive examples of Science, Technology, and Human Flourishing

-COVID-19 vaccines helped save millions of lives worldwide.

-Assistive technologies like hearing aids or screen readers help people with disabilities live better.

-Farming technology (like drones and irrigation systems) helps grow food efficiently, reducing hunger.

Negative examples of Science, Technology, and Human Flourishing

-Plastic pollution from overuse of technology harms oceans and marine life.

-AI deepfakes can spread fake news, harming people’s reputations and mental well-being.

-Social media addiction can negatively impact mental health, especially among teens.

III. Science as Method and Result

Key Idea: Science is a process (method) and the knowledge (results) it creates.

Example of Scientific Method

Scenario: You want to test if plants grow better in sunlight or shade.

1. Observation: Some plants grow faster than others.

2. Question: Does sunlight affect growth?

3. Hypothesis: Plants in sunlight grow faster.

4. Experiment: Place two plants — one in sun, one in shade.

5. Analysis: Measure height after 2 weeks.

6. Conclusion: Sunlight helps plants grow faster (result).

IV. Verification Theory

Key Idea: A statement is only meaningful if it can be tested and proven.

Verifiable Examples:
-“Water boils at 100°C at sea level.” → Can be tested in a lab

-“The moon affects ocean tides.” → Can be observed and measured.

V. Falsification Theory

Key Idea: A good scientific idea must be able to be proven wrong.

Falsifiable Example: “All birds can fly.” → False, because ostriches and penguins can’t fly.

VI. Science as a Social Endeavor

Key Idea: Science is shaped by people, funding, culture, and society.

Examples:

-COVID-19 vaccine research was prioritized and funded because of the pandemic’s global impact.

-Climate change studies are influenced by politics and economics — some countries push for green energy; others depend on fossil fuels.

VII. Science and Its Results

Key Idea: Science leads to inventions and discoveries — both helpful and risky.

Positive Results of Science and Its Results

-Electric vehicles reduce air pollution.

-MRI machines help diagnose diseases early.

Unintended Consequences of Science and Its Results

-Pesticides help grow more food → but may harm bees and water systems.

-Smartphones improve communication → but may reduce face-to-face interaction.

VIII. Science as Education

Key Idea: Science teaches us how to think critically, solve problems, and make decisions.

Examples:

-Learning about climate change helps students understand global issues and take action (e.g., recycling, saving energy).

-Studying biology helps future doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.

-Knowing how viruses spread helps people stay safe during disease outbreaks.

I. Human Flourishing, II. Science, Technology, and Human Flourishing, III. Science as Method and Result, IV. Verification Theory, V. Falsification Theory, VI. Science as a Social Endeavor, VII. Science and Its Results, VIII. Science as Education

Science, Technology, and Society and the Human Condition