STS E 1-1 (Knowt)
Module 1.1: Understanding Science
Science is a system of objective knowledge derived from research and applicable across life.
It has enabled advancements like space exploration and improved living standards.
Science is defined as the pursuit, observation, and understanding of the natural and social world through a systematic, evidence-based methodology.
It addresses problems in the environment, leading to discoveries.
Science enhances understanding of the natural world through observation, experimentation, and theorizing.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines science as 'systematic, organized knowledge'.
Scientific evidence stems from experiments and theories, with complexities in their relationship.
Branches of Science
Major branches include earth science, physical science, and life science, considered pure sciences.
Other branches, like engineering and technology, focus on practical applications.
Sciences dedicated to modern technology have emerged.
1. Physical Science
It studies the nonliving world and its interactions, including chemistry, physics, and astronomy.
Chemistry: Study of matter, its properties, composition, and reactions.
It examines chemical elements, their compositions, and reactions.
Physics: Study of how energy and motion affect matter. Example: Newton's Laws of Motion.
Astronomy: Study of objects outside Earth's atmosphere (moons, stars, planets).
It uses chemistry and physics to explore space objects, such as the composition and rotation of planets.
Physical sciences cover matter, object interactions, and interactions of objects outside Earth.
2. Earth Science
It studies the Earth and its neighbors in space, offering practical applications.
Earth scientists locate energy and mineral resources.
They also study human impact on the environment and design protection methods.
They use knowledge of volcanoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes to plan safer communities.
Geology: Study of Earth's composition, structures, and processes.
It includes organisms and planetary changes over time.
Geologists find fuels/minerals, study natural hazards, and protect the environment.
Meteorology: Study of the atmosphere, weather, and climate.
It addresses climate changes due to human actions, crucial for environmental protection.
Oceanography: Study of Earth's oceans, their composition, movement, organisms, and processes.
Oceans are essential for food, energy, and influence on weather and climate.
Oceanographers develop ocean resources and protect them from human impacts.
Astronomy: Study of the universe - the moon affects tides, asteroids can impact Earth, and the sun influences weather.
Astronomy is essential for understanding Earth and other planets.
Earth scientists address climate change caused by human activity.
3. Life Science
It studies living organisms and their biology.
It includes plants, animals, insects, bacteria, viruses, and cells.
Biology is often synonymous with life science.
There are an estimated million animal species and plant species.
Life scientists specialize in over thirty different branches.
Zoology: Focuses on the animal kingdom.
It includes subcategories for birds, fish, mammals, and amphibians.
Zoologists study behavior, characteristics, breeding, migration, habitat, and interactions.
Discovering new species: Out of estimated million animal species only million are known.
Botany: Study of plant life, including grass, moss, flowers, bushes, and trees.
It includes plant biochemistry, genetics, physiology, anatomy, and ecology.
Marine Biology: Study of ocean organisms, including fish, mammals, and plants.
It covers behaviors and interactions in coastal marshes and deep seas.
Studies food chains, ecosystems and species that have existed since the time of the dinosaurs.
Microbiology: Focus on microscopic organisms (microbes).
It includes viruses, bacteria, parasites, single-celled organisms, and cell colonies.
It studies structure, classification, and function of microbes and their control.
Microbes impacts include decay, disease, fermentation, and antibiotic creation.
Entomology: Study of insects, arachnids, myriapods, worms, snails, and slugs.
It overlaps with zoology as insects are part of the animal kingdom.
Of the million known animal species, around are insects.
Subgroups include medical, forensic, parasitology, and anthropology.
Life sciences provide factual knowledge and new perspectives.
Covers health care, environment, regenerative medicine, and genetic testing.
It enhances understanding of existence, degeneration, and illness which supports new industries and promotes a greener future.
Applied Science
It applies scientific knowledge to address real-world issues.
Used in business, medicine, and education to produce positive outcomes and drive innovation.
Examples: interventions for child behavior, obesity prevention, and drug effect studies; cybersecurity improvements, internet impact on children.
It studies mechanical waves (acoustics).
Financial information study (accounting).
Studies forces of air (aerodynamics).
Studies design and manufacture of flight machines (aeronautical engineering).
Cultivating ground, harvesting crops and management of farming (agriculture).
Mathematical study of structure using symbols (algebra).
Studies anatomy of the human body.
Studies blood vessels and related disorders (angiology).
Study of past and present human culture (anthropology).
Raising bees (apiculture).
Using mathematical techniques in other fields (applied mathematics).
Farming of aquatic animals/plants (aquaculture).
Scientific study of physical evidence of past civilization (archeology).
Studies the internal structure of atomic nuclei (atomic physics).
Audiology is the study of hearing and related disorders.
Automobile Engineering: branch of engineering, with respect to the design, manufacture, and operation of motorcycles, automobiles, buses and trucks, and their engineering systems.
Studies bacteria related to disease/agriculture (bacteriology).
Studies social and emotional effects on individuals (behavioral economics).
Deals with chemical substances that take place in living organisms (biochemistry).
Studies structure and functioning of biological systems (biomechanics).
Physic principles applied to biological systems (biophysics).
Study to heart disorders (cardiology).
Making maps (cartography).
Creating objects from non-metallic materials (ceramic engineering).
Deals with design, construction of chemical plants (chemical engineering).
Studies analyzing composition of substance (chemistry).
Construction structures (civil engineering).
Monitored over a period of time, weather conditions (climatology).
Scientific study of mental thought and learning (cognitive science).
Systematic study of computation and computing systems (computer science).
Using fingerprints for identification purposes (dactylography).
Statistics such as births, deaths, income, population distribution (demography).
Diagnosis, treatment, prevention related to theeth (Dentistry).
Studies wooded plants (Dendrology).
Skin structure and diseases (Dermatology).
Various forces, actions (Dynamics).
Theological study of Christian Church (Ecclesiology).
Shares various living organisms relationships (Ecology).
Branch of technology (Electronics).
Science of development of an embryo (Embryology).
Functions and pathology of endocrine glands (Endocrinology).
Mechanical, scientific, mathematical ideas (Engineering).
Branch of economics (financial economy).
Cultivation of flowers (floriculture).
Studies fluid (fluid mechanics).
Disciplines of science and technology to establish facts (forensic science).
Managing forest resources (forestry).
Studies blood (hematology).
Studies liver (hepatology).
Microscopic anatomy of living things (histology).
Commercial use cultivating plants (horticulture).
Movement and quality of water (hydrology).
Artificial mineral solutions, growning plants (hydroponics).
Fluid bodies that are at rest (hydrostatics).
Using water as treatment (hydrotherapy).
scientific study to fish (ichthyology).
description and interpretation of images (iconography).
Immune system of organisms (immunology).
Data, sharing, computer and equipment (information technology).
Aggregate economy behaviors (macroeconomics).
Mammals (mammology).
Human breasts (mammography).
Applying economic concept to managerial (managerial economics).
Studies to organisms under the oceans (marine biology).
Quantities, spaces structures, shapers (mathematics).
Using physics for design (Mechanical Engineering).
Physical forces effects (Mechanics).
Medical practices healing disease (Medicine).
Extraction procedures for metal (Metallurgy).
Represents the primary basis of inventions and complex procedures and transfers all the scientific knowledge into a physical environment.
Transfer is necessary to help technological processes.
Applied science are important to enable science to be more applicable in the real life.
Without it, great discoveries may be limited as human knowledge will increase but will be underutilized. Every invention, medicine, structures and technological advancements we humans are enjoying are a result of applied science.
Module 1.2: Science, Technology and Breakthroughs
Science and technology are interdependent but distinct activities.
Science contributes to technology by:
Providing new knowledge and ideas.
Offering tools and techniques for engineering design.
Supplying research instrumentation and lab methods.
Developing human skills useful for technology.
Creating a knowledge base for evaluating technology's social and environmental impacts.
Enabling efficient research and development strategies.
Technology impacts science by:
Presenting new scientific questions and justifying resource allocation.
Providing instrumentation and techniques for addressing scientific questions.