Science Technology and Society: STS 111

Course Information

• Course title: Science Technology and Society (STS 111)
• Instructor: Mr. Dominic Ibrahim-Sayo
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +23276613808
• Institution: Njala University
• School: Technology
• Department: Agricultural Engineering
• Program: B.Sc Agricultural Engineering, B.Sc Industrial Technology, B.Sc Computer Science, B.Sc Business and Information Technology

Course Justification

• Offered to all first-year students at the School of Technology
• Explores the relationship between science, technology, and society
• Examines how these interact to enhance human existence

Course Outline

• Definition and importance of STS, historical development, and basic concepts
• Definition of science, technology, and technoscience
• Science as a process and product, technology as a process and product
• Deliberative constructionism
• Democracy and society
• Science, technology, and society, and the Industrial Revolutions
• The role of Agricultural Engineering, Industrial Technology, Mathematics, and Physics in society

Method of Delivery

• Lectures
• Class work
• Class discussion
• Group presentations
• Laboratory/workshop

Assessment Methods

• 70% attendance is required
• Students missing three consecutive weeks of classes will not be allowed to take the exam
• Students absent from any activity, assignment, or project will not be able to present or report on it

Science

• Knowledge gained through observations and experiments to describe and explain the world around us
• The study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment
• Scientists use the scientific method to explain observations and test ideas through experiment

Types of Science

• Empirical Science: Based on observation and experimentation; capable of being tested for validity and reproducibility
  • Natural Science: Explores the rules governing the natural world using an empirical and scientific method. Divided into Physical Science, Earth Science, and Life Science.
  • Physical Science: The study of the inorganic world (non-living things). Divided into Physics, Chemistry, and Astronomy.
  • Earth Science: The study of planet Earth; the physical and chemical constitution of Earth and its atmosphere. Divided into Geology, Oceanography, Paleontology, and Metrology
  • Life Science: The study of living things including their physical structure, chemical processes, molecular interactions, physiological mechanisms, development, and evolution. Divided into Botany, Zoology, and Genetics
  • Social Science: The study of societies and the relationships within them. Divided into several fields, including Human Geography, Economics, etc.
• Formal Science: Concerned with formal systems; uses a priori methodology for knowledge development; based on definitions and rules. Includes Mathematics, logic, theoretical computer science, information and systems theory, statistics, and parts of linguistics

Applied Science/New Branches

• Application of scientific knowledge to a physical environment
• Focuses on practical applications, contrasted with fundamental science

Emergence of Interdisciplinary Subjects

• One branch of science can use knowledge and techniques from other science branches to solve complex processes
• Recent discoveries and innovations often result from collaboration across disciplines

Examples of Interdisciplinary Subjects

• Biochemistry (Biology + Chemistry)
• Physical Chemistry (Physics + Chemistry)
• Geochemistry (Geology + Chemistry)
• Astrogeology (Geology + Astronomy)
• Paleontology (Biology + Geology)
• Astronautics (Biology + Astronomy + Physics)

Scientific Method

• A process for solving problems:
  • Problem/Question
  • Observation/Research
  • Hypothesis
  • Experiment
  • Analyze Results
  • Conclusion
  • Communicate Results
• One possible process for conducting and analyzing an experiment

Technology

• The making, modification, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, and methods to solve problems, improve solutions, achieve goals, or perform functions.
  • Extends human capabilities

Types of Technology

• Simple technology (e.g., knife, brush, hoe)
• Advanced technology (e.g., microwave, electrical iron, washing machine)

Advantages of Technology

• Reduces time for tasks
• Removes drudgery
• Allows for multitasking
• Improves product quality
• Improves health (e.g., food prep, storage)
• Increases performance rate

Disadvantages of Technology

• Negative environmental impact
• Causes unemployment
• Causes inactivity

Technoscience

• Assignment on this topic is due.

Technology & Agriculture

• Technology significantly impacts agricultural practices.
• Modernizing farming methods
• Improving decision-making processes
• Major agricultural technology advancements: Mechanization, Chemical fertilizers, Hybridization, Biotechnologies
• Technologies for agricultural development are: Pre & post-harvest technology, Animal feed development, Irrigation development, Energy saving technology, Environmental protection technology, GIS& RS technology, Internet/intranet technology, Transportation of agricultural inputs/outputs, Genetically modified plants (seeds), Timely information on weather conditions, Better marketing and pricing
• Examples of agricultural applications: eFarmer, AgWeb, ArcGIS, The Corn Action, Aphid Speed Scout, Ag-PhD soils, Farm Management, Two brothers Organic Farms

Industrial Revolution

• Periods of major change in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology.
• Significant impact on socioeconomic and cultural conditions
• First Revolution (1780s-1860s): coal, iron, steam engines
• Second Revolution (1870s-1910s): oil, steel, internal combustion engine, electricity, rapid communication
• Key inventions during various periods
• Causes include dependency on technology, education, and religious movements

Benefits of Technology on Industry

• Decreases cost of production
• Increases production quality
• Improves manufacturing processes with faster, higher quality output, and reduced defects
• Increases safety in production

Disadvantages of Technology on Industry

• Job losses due to automation
• Limits creativity
• High initial costs for advanced systems
• Negative environmental impacts
• Frequent equipment breakdowns

Science as a Process

• Science is a process of exploration and problem solving
• The scientific method is a systematic approach to solving problems
• Scientists may not follow all steps in a strict order

Science as a Product

• The outcome of scientific processes are "products" such as new knowledge, inventions, or solutions
• The communication of results is the final step and product of the scientific method

Deliberative Democracy

• Democratic process involves workers and their superiors
• Key elements for effective deliberation: equal opportunity, respect for participants, availability of information, coordination, and preserving interests of all parties

Outcomes of Deliberative Democracy

• Improved understanding of policies and company values
• Increased accountability among heads
• Better understanding of employee concerns
• Staff trust in decisions
• Increased commitment from workers
• Better understanding of management status
• Enhanced relationships between management and workers

Social Constructivism

• Individuals learn best through active construction of knowledge
• Culture and context significantly impact our understanding of what happens in society

Assignments

• Write an essay on the role of a chosen field (Agricultural engineering, Industrial technology, Computer science, Business & Information Technology) in society
  • Include definitions, branches, impact on society, challenges, and future prospects

Explores the relationship between science, technology, and society and how they enhance human existence. Covers historical development, key concepts, and the Industrial Revolutions. Includes science and technology product.