INTRODUCTION TO STS (Science, Technology, and Society)

📘 INTRODUCTION TO STS (Science, Technology, and Society)

What is STS?

STS (Science, Technology, and Society) is a field that studies how science and technology affect society—and how society also affects science and tech.

👉 In short: Two-way relationship sila.

  • Science & tech change how we live

  • Society’s needs and values influence what we invent

🧠 Real-life example:

  • Dahil sa pandemic, nag-boom ang online classes & health tech

  • Society needed solutions → science & technology responded

🔑 Why this matters

This part is important kasi ito yung foundation ng buong subject.
STS helps us:

  • Think critically about technology

  • Ask ethical questions (Is this tech safe? Fair? Accessible?)

Science vs Technology (Pero Magka-team Sila)

Concept

Simple Meaning

Example

Science

Studying how the world works (observe + experiment)

Studying viruses

Technology

Using scientific knowledge to make life easier

Vaccines, medical tools

💡 Key idea:
Science discovers → Technology applies → Technology helps science discover more

🧠 Example:

  • Microscopes = technology

  • They help scientists study cells = science

📝 Quick Summary

Science = knowledge
Technology = application of knowledge

Mnemonic: S → T → Better Life

Role of Society in Science and Technology

Society is NOT just a user—driver siya.

How society influences science & tech:

  • Needs & problems → direction ng research

    • e.g., Climate change → renewable energy tech

  • Government → funds research (grants, policies)

  • Ethics & laws → limits and guides tech use

    • e.g., data privacy laws

  • Culture → acceptance or rejection of tech

    • e.g., AI fear vs AI adoption

  • Economy & market demand → what gets developed

  • Access & digital literacy → who benefits from tech

💬 Real talk:
Kahit gaano ka-advanced ang technology, kung walang access ang tao, useless din.

📝 Quick Summary

Mnemonic: NEEDED CAP

  • Needs

  • Ethics

  • Economy

  • Digital access

  • Culture

  • Advocacy

  • Policy

🕰 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Ancient Civilizations & Early Technology

Key Innovations

Innovation

Why It Matters

Wheel

Made transport & trade easier

Cuneiform & Hieroglyphics

Allowed record-keeping & communication

Roman Aqueducts

Improved public health & city life

🧠 Think of it like this:
Ancient tech = survival + organization

2. Medieval Period (500–1500 CE)

Major Contributions

Innovation

Impact

Algebra (Al-Khwarizmi)

Foundation of modern math

Mechanical Clocks

Introduced time discipline

Printing Press

Mass communication & literacy

💬 Why important?
Printing press = ancestor ng internet
It spread knowledge FAST.

Mnemonic: MATH – TIME – INFO

3. Scientific Revolution (16th–18th Century)

This era changed how humans think.

Big Names, Big Ideas

Innovation

Why It’s a Big Deal

Scientific Method

Systematic way of discovering truth

Telescope (Galileo)

Challenged old beliefs

Laws of Motion (Newton)

Foundation of physics

🧠 Key shift:
From “I believe” → to “I tested it”

Mnemonic: Observe – Test – Prove

4. Industrial Revolution (19th Century)

Game-Changing Tech

Innovation

Impact

Steam Engine

Mass production

Light Bulb

Extended productivity

Assembly Line

Faster & cheaper products

💬 In short:
Machines replaced manual labor → factories → modern economy

Mnemonic: Steam – Light – Speed

5. 20th-Century Technological Advancements

Innovation

Why It Changed the World

Airplane

Global connectivity

Penicillin

Saved millions of lives

DNA Structure

Birth of modern genetics

🧠 Theme:
Science saving lives + connecting the world

6. 21st-Century Innovations

Innovation

Impact

Smartphones

All-in-one life device

Blockchain

Secure digital transactions

CRISPR

Gene editing possibilities

💬 Real talk:
This era = powerful tech + ethical questions

🧠 FINAL RECAP & MEMORY TRICKS

Big Picture Summary

  • STS = relationship of science, tech, and society

  • Science & tech evolve with human needs

  • Every era solves different problems

  • More power = more responsibility

Super Quick Mnemonic (Timeline)

A-M-S-I-20-21

  • Ancient

  • Medieval

  • Scientific Revolution

  • Industrial

  • 20th Century

  • 21st Century