Chapter 1 Lesson 1 - Understanding Science and the Scientific Revolution.pdf

A Course Module for Science, Technology, and Society Chapter 1 Lesson 1 Understanding Science and the Scientific Revolution Prof. L. L. Labe What is Science, Technology and Society? STS a general education curriculum in college Conceptualized for students to devel...

A Course Module for Science, Technology, and Society Chapter 1 Lesson 1 Understanding Science and the Scientific Revolution Prof. L. L. Labe What is Science, Technology and Society? STS a general education curriculum in college Conceptualized for students to develop deep appreciation and critical understanding of the role of S & T in the development of people and society An interdisciplinary course dealing with the interaction between science and technology in social, cultural, political and economic context. Natural Sciences Social Sciences Astronomy, Ecology, Chemistry, SCIENCE Economics, Sociology, Biology, Geology, Physics Psychology Applied Sciences Engineering and TECHNO Medical Sciences SOCIETY LOGY Science + Technology + Society Society From the Latin word “scientia” meaning “to have knowledge”. Natural science refers to the systematic and methodical activity Science of understanding, predicting and researching things that occur naturally on earth and the universe using data from experiments and observation to draw conclusions how the earth and universe behave. These conclusions become general laws and scientific knowledge about the natural world. Technology From the Latin word “techne”, meaning “art, skill or cunning of hand” is the application of scientific knowledge , laws and principles to produce services, materials, tools and machines aimed at solving real-world problems. Society Composed of a group of people living together in a more or less ordered community. STS as an Academic Field STS as an academic field traces the interconnection of scientific knowledge, technological systems and society. Prepares the students to respond critically, reflectively and proactively to the challenges posed by science and technology in the contemporary world STS applies methods from history, philosophy and sociology to study the nature of science and technology and ultimately judge their value and place in the society. Help students apply scientific principles in understanding various human conditions and social issues and realize their role in helping build the nation through the promotion of S & T Raise awareness with societal issues and stir their passion to collectively participate in finding solutions to the problems of society. STS seeks to bridge the gap between the traditionally exclusive cultures- humanities and natural science to better confront the moral, ethical, and existential dilemmas brought about by the continued developments in S & T. Understanding Science and the Scientific Revolution Lesson Objectives At the end of this lesson, you are expected to: discuss the concept of science; and explain the concept of scientific revolution. All humankind are scientists We employ scientific processes and methods in solving daily problems and issues I. Problem: How do I get to SBCA in time for my 8 a.m. class on a Monday morning from my home in Tierra Nueva Village? 2. Observations: a. There is huge volume of vehicles on Alabang-Zapote Road from the wee hours in the morning until 7 am but the traffic is light. b. In the evening, there is heavy traffic from 8 pm onwards. c. Most of the jeepneys are full especially during the morning rush hours d. There are habal-habals at the gate of our subdivision but as a female, I am afraid to take it.  e. The distance between TNV and SBCA is only 1.6 km only. 3. Wild guess on the best option (hypothesis) a. It is best to leave the house at between 6-6:30 to take the jeep to have enough time to reach school before 8 am; b. It is best to leave the house at 6 am to have 2 hours to reach the school on foot and exercise by walking at the same time. c. There is no difference between taking the jeep or going on foot to school since both will take me 20 minutes to reach school considering the heavy traffic. 4. Experiment: Test which among your guesses (hypothesis) is correct by taking the jeep and walking to school on a separate Mondays. 5. Collect data (information) from your schoolmates coming from the same vicinity 6. Analyze your results based on your own experience and data collected from your schoolmates 7. Conclusion: You may conclude that taking the jeep and walking to school, leaving the house between 6-6:30 am does not make any difference to the time of arrival to school (20 minutes). It all depends whether you want to sit relaxed in the jeep and be patient with the traffic or do some early morning walking exercise. 8. Share your findings with other students who are having problems reaching the school on time on Mondays. 8 Scientific Processes or Methods 1. Statement of problem (idea) 2. Making observation 3. Forming hypothesis 4. Experimentation 5. Data collection 6. Analysis of results 7. Conclusion 8. Publication/Report of findings So, are we all scientists? People’s Perception of a Scientist The Concept of Science “The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena” - The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (2004) The Concept of Science “An ongoing theoretical dialogue with nature, in which scientists have developed successively more powerful models to account for a wider range of phenomena” - Snir et al. (2003) The Concept of Science Science is also a way of understanding the world and human interactions with it. - Cobern (1993) The Concept of Science “A human endeavor within which people try to make sense of the environment and a worldview that is built around practices that purport to guide the individual towards a personal understanding” - Watters and Diezmann (2003) The Concept of Science “An intellectual as well as a social activity carried out by humans in their pursuit to have a better understanding of the natural world” - Gribbin (2003) The Concept of Science Science as a cultural as well as individual process of thoughts - Bybee (1997) Science can be defined as a personal an idea and social activity a course or an field of study intellectual study What influenced various characterizations and definitions of science? people’s own experiences and observations about the natural world Desire to survive and co-exist with nature Curiosity to study the activities of nature Inspiration to develop science ideas that soon evolved into the different branches and fields of science Scientific Revolution – 16th -18th century in Europe It is an era of enlightenment and intellectualization that nurtured the developments in the fields of mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology, and chemistry that changed the observations of society about the environment. Modernizes the understanding and practices of science giving birth to scientific processes and experimentation It is a golden age for the people committed to principles of science. Scientific Revolution It is the time in the history where many useful scientific ideas, inventions, innovations and discoveries were established for the development of human beings and transformation of society Scientific Revolution: challenges and drawbacks Scientific knowledge has no moral or ethical values – scientists have no obligation to explain the possible uses and applications of scientific knowledge Technological applications of science are influenced by other sectors such as politics and governance, religion and business Dynamism and intensity of scientific and technological progress pose challenges and drawbacks to the way humans live Reseach on: The pioneers in science and mathematics and their contributions during the Scientific Revolution END OF CHAPTER 1 LESSON 1