STS

GEC 7 – SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

Easy Preliminary Examination Reviewer

1. BASIC CONCEPTS

Science

• The process of gaining knowledge through observation, experimentation, and evidence.

• Science = Understanding

Example: Studying why a plant grows faster with a certain fertilizer.

Remember:
Observation → Experiment → Evidence → Knowledge

Technology

• The application of scientific knowledge to solve problems and make life easier.

• Technology = Applying knowledge

Examples: Smartphones, refrigerators, computers, medical equipment.

Easy difference:
🧠 Science = Why and how things work
🛠 Technology = Using that knowledge

Society

• A group of people connected by common culture, interests, rules, and institutions.

Remember:
Individual → Community → Society

2. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY

Science and Technology in Nation Building

Science and technology help a country develop.

They improve:

• Healthcare

• Agriculture

• Transportation

• Communication

• Education

• Economy

Remember:
Science and technology = National development

Science and Technology in Healthcare

Technology makes healthcare better and more accessible.

Examples:

• Telemedicine

• Remote patient monitoring

• Medical imaging

• Online health records

Technology Influences Science

Technology gives scientists tools to make new discoveries.

Examples:

• Telescope → study space

• Microscope → study tiny organisms

• Computer → analyze data

Remember:
Better technology → More scientific discoveries

Positive and Negative Effects

Science and technology can improve life, but they can also cause problems if misused.

✅ Positive:

• Better healthcare

• Faster communication

• Economic growth

• Improved agriculture

❌ Negative:

• Pollution

• Environmental damage

• Other problems caused by improper use

Important: Technology can help predict or prepare for disasters, but it cannot prevent all natural disasters.

3. HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

History, Science, and Technology

History helps us understand:

• How science and technology developed

• How they changed society

Example: The development of the internet changed communication from letters to instant messaging.

4. MAJOR HISTORICAL PERIODS

Classical Antiquity

Refers mainly to ancient:

• Greece

• Rome

Examples:

• Greek philosophy

• Greek mathematics

• Roman engineering

• Roman roads

Remember:
Classical Antiquity = Greece + Rome

Middle Ages

Began after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Characteristics:

• Feudalism

• Castles

• Kingdoms

• Strong influence of religion

Remember:
Fall of Rome → Middle Ages

Renaissance

Means “rebirth.”

There was renewed interest in:

• Greek knowledge

• Roman knowledge

• Art

• Science

• Philosophy

• Literature

Remember:
Renaissance = Rebirth of Classical Knowledge

Scientific Revolution

A period when people increasingly used:

• Observation

• Evidence

• Measurement

• Experimentation

Remember:
Scientific Revolution = Observation + Evidence + Experiment

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement that emphasized:

• Reason

• Critical thinking

• Questioning traditional ideas

Remember:
Enlightenment = Reason + Critical Thinking

Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution

The Scientific Revolution focused on understanding nature through evidence, while the Enlightenment applied reason to society and government.

Easy idea:
🔬 Scientific Revolution = How the world works
💡 Enlightenment = How society should work

Intellectual Revolution

Focused on:

• Rational thinking

• Questioning old beliefs

• Using logic and evidence

Remember:
Intellectual Revolution = Rational thought

Beginning of the Modern Age

The discovery of the New World in 1492 is commonly used as a landmark.

Remember:
1492 → New World → Modern Age

5. INDUSTRIAL AND DIGITAL REVOLUTIONS

Industrial Revolution

Machines and new technology changed how people lived and worked.

Effects:

• Factory production

• Urbanization

• Better transportation

• Changes in employment

Example: Steam-powered machines increased factory production.

James Watt

Known for improving the steam engine.

Remember:
James Watt → Steam Engine

Digital Revolution

The rise of:

• Computers

• Internet

• Smartphones

• Digital communication

• Online learning

Remember:
Digital Revolution = Computers + Internet

Telecommuting

Working remotely using technology.

Example: Working from home while communicating online.

Remember:
Telecommuting = Work remotely

6. IMPORTANT SCIENTISTS AND THINKERS

Nicolaus Copernicus

Proposed the heliocentric model.

Heliocentric = Sun at the center

Remember:
☀ Copernicus → Heliocentric

Ptolemy

Supported the geocentric model.

Geocentric = Earth at the center

Remember:
🌍 Ptolemy → Geocentric

Galileo Galilei

Used a telescope to make important astronomical observations.

He observed:

• Jupiter’s moons

This showed that not everything revolves around Earth.

Remember:
🔭 Galileo → Telescope → Jupiter’s moons

Sir Isaac Newton

Known for:

• Law of universal gravitation

• Laws of motion

Remember:
Newton → Gravity + Motion

Charles Darwin

Developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Simple idea: Organisms with helpful traits are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass those traits to future generations.

Remember:
Darwin → Evolution → Natural Selection

Aristotle

Was a student of Plato.

Important relationship:
Socrates → Plato → Aristotle

Elenchus

Associated with Socrates and questioning.

Socrates asked questions to help people examine their beliefs.

Remember:
Elenchus → Socrates → Questioning

7. IMPORTANT TOOLS AND DISCOVERIES

Telescope

Used to study:

• Planets

• Stars

• Space

Microscope

Used to study:

• Cells

• Microorganisms

• Tiny objects

Easy comparison:
🔭 Telescope = Far away
🔬 Microscope = Very small

Scientific Method

A simple process for solving scientific questions:

Observation → Question → Hypothesis → Experiment → Results → Conclusion

Important: The first step identified in your examination is Observation.

8. EARLY HUMAN TECHNOLOGY

Earliest Human Tools

Early humans mainly used stone tools.

Used for:

• Cutting

• Hunting

• Preparing food

Remember:
Early humans → Stone tools

Copper

One of the earliest metals used by humans.

Used for:

• Tools

• Weapons

• Other objects

Remember:
Copper = Early metal technology

Agricultural Revolution

People changed from hunting and gathering to farming.

Sequence:

Hunting and Gathering
⬇
Agriculture
⬇
Permanent Settlements
⬇
Population Growth
⬇
Organized Communities

9. ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE AND CIVILIZATIONS

Edwin Smith Papyrus

An ancient Egyptian document about medicine.

It contains information about:

• Injuries

• Medical treatment

Remember:
Edwin Smith Papyrus = Ancient Egyptian Medicine

Zero

The examination associates the development of the concept of zero with Indians.

Zero became important for:

• Decimal numbers

• Mathematics

Remember:
India → Zero

Chinampas

An agricultural innovation of the Aztecs.

Often called:

• Floating gardens

Used to grow crops in shallow lakes.

Remember:
Aztecs → Chinampas → Floating Gardens

10. MEDIEVAL AND ISLAMIC CONTRIBUTIONS

Ibn Al-Haytham

Known for contributions to:

• Optics

• Light

• Vision

Remember:
Ibn Al-Haytham → Optics → Light

Jabir ibn Hayyan

Important in:

• Alchemy

• Early chemistry

• Experimental practices

Remember:
Jabir ibn Hayyan → Alchemy → Early Chemistry

Charlemagne

Helped preserve and spread knowledge by supporting the:

• Copying of important texts

• Preservation of classical knowledge

Remember:
Charlemagne → Preservation of Knowledge

Black Death

A devastating plague in 14th-century Europe.

Effects:

• Millions of deaths

• Population decline

• Economic and social changes

Remember:
14th Century Europe → Black Death

11. SCIENCE AND THE CHURCH

Scientists and the Church

The relationship was complex.

There were times of:

• Cooperation 🤝

• Conflict ⚠

Example: The Galileo controversy.

Remember:
❗ It was not always cooperation and not always conflict.

12. DDT

DDT

An insecticide originally used to control harmful insects and pests.

Remember:
DDT = Insect control

13. PHILIPPINE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Indigenous Philippine Technology

Filipinos already had scientific and technological knowledge before Spanish colonization.

Examples:

• Banaue Rice Terraces

• Balangay boats

• Malong weaving

• Ifugao bul-ul carving

Main idea:
Precolonial Filipinos already had advanced knowledge and technology.

Spanish Colonial Period

Advances in navigation helped exploration.

Examples:

• Maps

• Navigation instruments

• Better knowledge of sea routes

National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP)

Founded in 1933.

Its role is to support:

• Scientific research

• Technological research

• Philippine development

Remember:
NRCP → Research

Institute of Science

According to your examination:

1947 → Bureau of Science → Institute of Science

⚡ SUPER QUICK MEMORY REVIEW

BEST WAY TO MEMORIZE THE TIMELINE

Classical Antiquity → Middle Ages → Renaissance → Scientific Revolution → Enlightenment → Modern Age → Industrial Revolution → Digital Revolution