Understanding Science, Technology and Society

• Science, Technology, and Society are interconnected fields of study.
• It's important to understand the importance of studying science, technology, and society.
• It's important to understand how science and technology relate to societal concerns.
• Developing a deeper interest in science, technology, and society is important.
• Defining and analyzing the scientific method, scientific processes, traits, and values is important.

What is Science?

• Science originates from the Latin word "scientia," meaning "knowledge".
• Science is an organized and systematized body of knowledge based on facts.

Perspectives of Science

• Science can be viewed as an idea.
• Science can be viewed as an intellectual activity.
• Science can be viewed as a body of knowledge.
• Science can be viewed as a personal and social activity.

Science as an Idea

• Science includes ideas, theories, and systematic explanations about the natural and physical world

Science as an Intellectual Activity

• Science involves a systematic and practical study of the natural and physical world.
• This study involves systematic observation and experimentation.

Science as a Body of Knowledge

• Science is a subject, discipline, or field of study focused on learning about the natural and physical world.
• Science is based on facts and truthful observations.
• Science uses logical and empirical methods for the systematic observation of phenomena.
• School science is a reference to science as a body of knowledge.

Science as a Personal and Social Activity

• Science involves knowledge and activities by humans to better understand the world.

Limitations of Science

• The limitations of science, include human senses and the human mind.
• Science cannot investigate what senses cannot perceive or explain beyond the human mind's understanding.

What is Technology?

• Technology comes from the Greek word "techne" and "technologia,” literally meaning systematic treatment.
• Technology is also defined as applied science.
• According to the Scribner-Bantan English Dictionary (1979), technology is defined as the science of industrial arts and manufacture, applied science, and all means employed by a social group for material comforts.
• Posadas (1982) defined technology as the system of know-how, skills, techniques, and processes that enable societies to produce, distribute, install, maintain, or improve goods and services to satisfy human needs.
• Bridgstock (1998) defines technology as a body of skills and knowledge by which we control and modify the world.
• Technology is any activity and/or product that increases man's chances of survival.

What is Society?

• Society is an aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
• Society is a community of people in a particular country or region with shared customs, laws, and organizations.

What is Science-Technology-Society (STS)?

• Science-Technology-Society (STS) education addresses the need for a scientifically and technologically literate citizenry.
• STS aims to enable future citizens to make informed and responsible decisions affecting their lives and the planet's sustainability.

Definitions of Science and Technology

• Science and technology are fields of endeavor with a two-way interaction.
• They involve interdependent and overlapping methods using existing knowledge and know-how.
• They are systems of know-how, skills, techniques, and processes enabling society to produce, distribute, install, maintain, or improve goods and services for human needs.
• STS is an interdisciplinary field exploring how modern science and technology shape culture, values, and institutions, and vice versa.

Purposes of Science and Technology

• Seek to improve the quality of the human condition.
• Seek to provide solutions to practical problems.
• Seek to establish relevant institutional linkages and essential mechanisms.
• Seek to develop individual knowledge.
• Seek to find order in nature's chaos and deliver personal and social liberation.
• Seek to give information and explanation of the natural world.
• Seek to develop new areas of knowledge.
• Seek to combat irrationality.
• Seek to maintain the availability of natural resources

Limitations of Science and Technology

• Epistemological concerns: Science cannot help with questions about God, the ultimate Good, and Truth, nor confirm/deny the existence of God, soul, heaven, etc.
• Metaphysical concerns: Science cannot grasp immaterial and transcendental nature or speak to issues of ultimate origin, meaning, or morality.
• Axiological concerns: Science cannot answer questions about value.
• Limits depend on the values and personal beliefs of those who use science and technology
• The use of natural resources in science and technology is limited
• Data is limited to the physically observable.
• Science and Technology ultimately rely on past observations.
• Not all principles are applicable to different world phenomena.
• Human intervention is needed for science and technology to function correctly.
• Science and technology cannot prevent the prevalence/occurrence.
• Science and technology cannot guarantee an ultimate solution to any specific problem.
• Science and technology cannot fully explain what is in the mind of a person.

Science vs. Technology

• Science involves a dynamic, cumulative system of verifiable concepts gained from understanding natural phenomena. Technology is a dynamic, cumulative system of reproducible methods and processes for modifying the world.
• Science aims to discover and describe natural phenomena and obtain new knowledge. Technology is concerned with improving human life and applying scientific knowledge.
• Science involves scientific research - acquisition of knowledge through pure, applied, or oriented research. Technology involves development by transforming research findings and scientific knowledge into practical utility and inventions.