Science, Technology, and Society

• Science and technology significantly shape the world, influencing communication, work, and problem-solving.
• This module will explore the interaction between science, technology, and society and how they impact daily life.

Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society

• Science, Technology, and Society (STS) is an interdisciplinary field.
• How scientific and technological advances affect society and how social factors influence these developments.
• STS focuses on the interaction between science, technology, and human life.
• STS also studies the connection between new inventions/discoveries and how they change/are shaped by society

Science and Technology as Interdependent Fields

• Science is the systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation.
• Technology is using scientific knowledge to create tools and processes that improve life.
• Science and technology influence each other - discoveries drive new technologies, and technology enables exploration.
• Instruments such as microscopes and telescopes enhance the understanding of the universe and life.
• Material science innovations create stronger, lighter, and durable materials for various industries.

The Role of Society in Scientific and Technological Advancements

• Society's needs, values, and economy drive scientific research and technological innovation.
• Ethical concerns and public policy guide how research is done and how technologies are used.
• Government significantly funds research through grants, subsidies, and policies.
• Advocacy groups raise awareness of issues like data privacy, climate change, and genetics.
• Economic factors and market demand influence technological progress.
• Cultural views affect acceptance of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence and genetic engineering.
• Access to technology and digital literacy affects how communities benefit from advancements.
• Collaboration between schools, industries, and governments encourages innovation.
• International cooperation is key in tackling global challenges like pandemics and climate change.

Historical Development of Science and Technology

• Science and technology have evolved, shaping civilizations and contributing to societal progress.
• The development of tools, machinery, and scientific principles has led to significant transformations.

Ancient Civilizations and Early Technology

• The Wheel (c. 4000 BCE, Mesopotamia) revolutionized transportation and trade.
• Cuneiform (c. 3100 BCE, Mesopotamia) and Hieroglyphics (c. 3100 BCE, Egypt) enabled record-keeping and knowledge transfer.
• Roman Aqueducts (27 BCE-476 CE, Roman Empire) engineered water to cities, improving public health and urban infrastructure.

Medieval Period and Technological Innovations (500–1500 CE)

• Al-Khwarizmi's Algebra (c. 8th-14th century CE, Islamic World) helped establish modern algebra.
• The Mechanical Clocks (c. 13th century CE, Europe) were among the earliest timekeeping devices in church towers.
• Johannes Gutenberg's Printing Press (c. 1440 CE, Germany) revolutionized communication and literacy via mass production.

Scientific Revolution (16th–18th Century)

• Scientific Method (1561-1626 CE, Francis Bacon) introduced a systematic approach focused on observation and experimentation.
• Telescope (1564-1642 CE, Galileo Galilei) transformed astronomy with discoveries such as Jupiter's moons.
• Laws of Motion (1643-1727 CE, Isaac Newton) laid the foundation for classical physics.

The Industrial Revolution (19th Century)

• Steam Engine (c. 1765 CE, James Watt) transformed industries by driving mechanized production.
• Incandescent Light Bulb (1879 CE, Thomas Edison) was a reliable alternative to candles revolutionizing lighting.
• Assembly Line (c. 1901-1913 CE, Ransom Olds and Henry Ford) streamlined manufacturing, reducing costs and making products affordable.

20th-Century Technological Advancements

• Airplane (The Wright Flyer) 1903 CE, Wright Brothers pioneered powered flight, transforming transportation.
• Penicillin (1928 CE, Alexander Fleming) revolutionized medicine by providing an effective antibiotic.
• DNA Structure (1953 CE, James Watson and Francis Crick) discovered the double-helix, laying the foundation for advances in genetics and heredity.

21st-Century Innovations

• Smartphones (2000s-Present) combine functions into one portable device reshaping communication.
• Blockchain Technology (2000s-Present) introduced decentralized systems for secure digital transactions, enabling cryptocurrencies.
• CRISPR-Cas9 Gene-Editing (2012, Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier) enables precise genetic modifications in medicine and agriculture.