History of Science Notes (STS Lesson 2)

Why the History of Science matters

  • The slide prompts students to consider why revisiting the history of science is important and to respond to the prompt (Pear Deck activity). The overarching goal is to understand how scientific ideas emerge, spread, and are culturally situated.

Mesoamerica

Maya Civilization

  • Existence: lasted for approximately 2,000 years.2{,}000\ \text{years}.

  • Major contributions:

    • Astronomy: used in temples and other religious structures to predict eclipses and track astrological cycles for planting and harvesting.

    • Calendars: two complex calendar systems used to plan rituals and cultural celebrations.

    • Technology: agricultural machinery and tools for growing crops and building elaborate cities; hydraulic systems are cited as an example.

  • Additional topics mentioned:

    • Rubber products.

    • Mayan hieroglyphics.

    • Mathematics: concept of zero and positional value.

  • Maya alphabet (Diego de Landa's work):

    • "DIEGO DE LANDA'S MAYA ALPHABET" (1903) documented signs and their phonetic values.

    • Examples of signs and values include phonetic signs such as I, II, ca, cu, etc., with assigned values listed in the original chart.

    • Temple references tied to the manuscript:

    • Temple of the Foliated Cross, Palenque

    • Temple of the Sun, Palenque

Inca Civilization

  • Major contributions:

    • Roads paved with stones, enabling long-distance movement and administration.

    • Irrigation systems and water storage techniques for crops across diverse terrains.

    • Calendar with 12 months.

    • First suspension bridge.

    • Stone buildings (construction techniques).

    • Quipu: knotted-rope system to keep records.

Aztec Civilization

  • Major contributions:

    • Mandatory education: education required for all children regardless of social class, gender, or age.

    • Antispasmodic medication (passion flower): could prevent muscle spasms and relax muscles.

    • Chocolates: cacao beans used as a tribute to their gods.

Asia

India

  • Geography: A huge peninsula surrounded by vast bodies of water and bounded by northern mountains.

  • Major contributions:

    • Manufacturing iron and metallurgical works.

    • Medicine (Ayurveda): traditional medical system still practiced today.

    • Astronomy: theories on the configuration of the universe, a spherical self-supporting Earth, and a year of 360 days divided into 12 equal parts of 30 days each.

    • Calendar details: 360=12×30360 = 12 \times 30 (illustrative of the 360-day year structure)

  • Mathematics and notable figures:

    • Mohenjo-daro ruler (artifact illustrating measurement techniques).

    • Aryabhata: introduced trigonometric functions, tables, and techniques.

    • Brahmagupta: described gravity as a force of attraction.

    • Madhava: founder of mathematical analysis.

  • Medicine and anatomy:

    • Susruta Samhita: describes various surgical and medical procedures.

India (continued) - Additional notes

  • Ayurveda as a traditional medical system referenced in the material.

China

  • China’s influence on neighboring regions (Korea, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, etc.).

  • Major contributions:

    • Traditional medicine: acupuncture.

    • Technology: compass, papermaking, gunpowder, printing tools, iron plough, wheelbarrow, propeller, seismological detector, dry dock facility.

    • Astronomy: records of supernovas, lunar and solar eclipses, and comets.

Middle East (Islamic world)

  • Context: Science in the Middle East is described as being occupied by Muslim scholars; emphasis on experiments and the development of methodological approaches.

  • Major contributions:

    • Scientific method in the Muslim world.

    • Ibn al-Haytham: often regarded as the Father of Optics.

  • Mathematics and related advances:

    • Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi: concept of the algorithm; algebra arising from al-jabr; refinement of the Arabic numeral system and decimal point notation.

  • Chemistry and medicine:

    • Jabir ibn Hayyan: Father of Chemistry.

    • Ibn Sina (Avicenna): first physician to conduct clinical trials.

Africa

Egypt

  • Egypt (Arab Republic of Egypt) contributions to science:

    • Development of geometry.

    • Pyramids and early dams.

    • Center of alchemy.

    • Human anatomy and pharmacology: examinations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

    • Existence of three calendar types: lunar, solar, and stellar.

  • Lebombo Bone: cited as the oldest known mathematical artifact, potentially a tool for multiplication, division, and basic calculations.

Reflection and closing (Pear Deck activity)

  • The lesson ends with a reflective activity where students evaluate their engagement with the lesson (e.g., “How well did you like this lesson?”) using Pear Deck interactive slides and icons.