STS-Module 1 PDF

GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction Introduction: Science, Technology & Society Overview What is STS, and why should people want to study and learn it? Why should students, teachers, researchers and other professionals have intere...

GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction Introduction: Science, Technology & Society Overview What is STS, and why should people want to study and learn it? Why should students, teachers, researchers and other professionals have interest in the subject? Primarily, we need some background and understanding of the significance of science and technology in the living past and their importance in the modern world. Goals of STS Education Challenges & Opportunities of STS Education Meaning of Science, Technology and Society Objectives Purposes of Science and At the end of the lesson, you should be able to Technology ➡ learn and understand the goals of STS (Science, Technology & Society) education, Limitations of ➡ explain the challenges and opportunities of STS education, Science & Technology ➡ understand the meaning of science and technology (as a process and as a product) and society, Technology & ➡ explain the purposes of science and technology and the the Quality of effect of technology in the quality of our life. Life Self-assessment Test For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction Lecture Notes STS deals with the interactions between science and technology and social, cultural, political, and economic contexts that shape and are shaped by them. It concerns the study of contemporary controversies, historical transformations, policy dilemmas, and broad philosophical questions. And the key goals of STS are the following; engaging students in examining a variety of real world issues and grounding scientific knowledge in such realities. Rather than learning about the facts and theories of weather patterns, you can explore them in the context of issues such as global warming. You can also debate the environmental, social, economic and political consequences of relevant legislation, such as the Kyoto Protocol (The Kyoto Protocol mandated that industrialized nations cut their greenhouse gas emissions at a time when the threat of global warming was growing rapidly). This Extreme weather events like bushfires, cyclones, is thought to provide a richer, more droughts and floods are becoming more frequent and meaningful and relevant canvas against more intense as a result of global warming. which scientific theories and phenomena relating to weather patterns can be explored. In today’s world, other real world issues might include the impact on society of genetic engineering, animal testing. deforestation practices, and nuclear testing. enabling the students to formulate a critical understanding of the interface between science, technology and society; and This means to say that the adoption of the As a citizen, you will have the enormous STS concept in an educational reform responsibility of making decisions that will enables the development of resources for impact yourself as well as society. Many of critical thinking towards a complex and these decisions will require an fast-changing societies which are deeply understanding of the interaction of influenced by science and technology. STS science and technology and its interface examines the ways in which science and with society. technology issues are emerging and affecting societies. For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction developing the students’ capacities and confidence to make informed decisions and to take responsible action to address issues arising from the impact of science in their daily lives. The STS education can develop your positive benefits and power of science and ability to formulate sound ethical and technology must also be aware of the moral decisions about issues arising from moral and ethical dimensions of science the impact of science in your daily lives. and technology. And as a response to the complex social and moral issues in our According to Lewis & Gagel, STS society in an intellectual and informed education integrates sciences and value manner, you are required to be educated education. Meaning, an informed and scientifically and morally. responsible citizenry that understands the Focus Question #1: What have science and technology done for you lately? Challenges and Opportunities of STS Education Values and Beliefs: The goals of STS may challenge the value and beliefs of students and teachers-as well as conventional, culturally entrenched views on scientific and technological development. However, the students can gain opportunities to engage with, and deeply examine the impact of scientific development on their lives from a critical and informed perspective. Moreover, this will help the students to develop their analytical and problem solving capacities, as well as their ability to make informed choices in their everyday lives. In teaching and learning STS, our moral insemination. At this instance, a debate and religious beliefs can be challenged; may occur among us and each of us will hence, arguments about STS issues may defend our stand about the existence of arise during the discussion. For example, human beings; hence, your critical some of us believed that only God can thinking can be developed or improved. create humans while others might say that Also, you can make a choice if which is to science and technology can develop fetus believe and learn to respect the beliefs of through medical procedures such as In- others. Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and artificial For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction Knowledge and Understanding: The interdisciplinary nature of STS requires teachers and students to research and gather information from a variety of sources. At the same time, teachers need to develop a sound understanding of issues in various disciplines- philosophy, history, geography, social studies, politics, economics, environment and science. This is so that students’ knowledge base can be appropriately scaffolded to enable them to effectively engage in discussions, debates, and decision-making processes. The interdisciplinary nature of STS can appreciate the differences between help you to overcome your disciplines, on how to approach a problem preconceptions by recognizing the source and their discipline specific rules of the preexisting understandings and by regarding feasible evidence. This will lead introducing to you the subject matter from you to a broader understanding of the a variety of perspectives that challenge issue under investigation. Eventually, your your existing beliefs. When you put aside knowledge formation capacity will be your pre-existing beliefs, you position enhanced in engaging yourself in yourself to learn facts more readily and are conversations dealing with more complex more open to adopting a range of issues. methodologies that promote Moreover, interdisciplinary instruction understanding. Thus, we, as teachers, opens academic conversations to ideas should spend more time exploring issues from a range of disciplines, so you should that promote significant learning with you. be able to relate and contribute to the In addition, interdisciplinary instruction dialogue. Thus, the likelihood of helps you to develop your cognitive connecting with the full array of the abilities - brain-based skills and mental students in the classroom is enhanced by processes that are needed to carry out interdisciplinary learning. tasks. At this instance, you can learn to Pedagogic Approach: Depending on teacher’s experience and comfort levels, a variety of pedagogic approaches based on constructivism can be used to stimulate the STS education in the classroom. We, STS teachers, are often faced with the some clear pointers in (1) identifying your challenge of transforming classroom views and ideas, (2) exploring your ideas practices from task-oriented approaches and robustness in explaining phenomena, to those which focus on developing accounting of events and making students' understanding and transferring predictions, (3) providing stimuli that will agency for learning to students. develop, modify or change your ideas and views, and (4) supporting your attempts to And to stimulate your ability in conceptual re-think and reconstruct your ideas and reconstruction, we will try to provide you views. For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction The teaching method based on Teachers who employ constructivist constructivist views are very useful to your teaching try to help students to learn learning. Hence, as teachers, we should meaningfully. They should encourage have a clear idea of what you have already students to accept the invitation to learn known and understood so that you can and to take action on what they have engage in activities that help you construct learnt, and to provide students with new meanings. Moreover, your opportunities to explore, discover and opportunities to talk about your ideas create, as well as to propose explanations concerning particular concepts or issues and solutions. are prominent in the learning process. Meaning of Science 1. Science is a process. 2. Science is a product. (a) Concerned with discovering (a) Systematized, organized body of relationships between observable knowledge based on facts or phenomena in terms of theories. truths. (b) Systematized theoretical inquiries. (b) A set of logical and empirical methods which provide for the (c) It seeks truth about nature. systematic observation of empirical (d) It is determined by observation, phenomena. hypothesis, measurement, analysis (c) Source of cognitive authority. and experimentation. (d) Concerned with verifiable (e) It is the description and concepts. explanation of the development of knowledge. (e) A product of the mind. (f) It is the study of the beginning and (f) It is the variety of knowledge, the end of everything that exist. people, skills, organizations, facilities, techniques, physical (g) Conceptualization of new ideas, resources, methods and from the abstract to the particular. technologies that taken together (h) Kind of human cultural activity. and in relation with one another. For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction Science as a process refers to the practices motion during the process, but he built a employed in science to uncover new idea with a more accurate description knowledge and interpret the meaning of of nature and motion, leaving the Laws of those discoveries. It is a process of Motion as a product. investigation into the natural world and the Another example knowledge generated through that can be illustrated process. Also, it is a process by which we in making a lye (a increase and refine understanding of substance ourselves and of the universe through needed in soap- continuous observation, experimentation, making), where application and verification. sodium hydroxide In addition, science is a process because is slowly poured into distilled water and the scientific method makes any carefully stirred until fully dissolved. The hypothesis (or theory) open to be proven lye solution is left to cool, eventually, it is against. During the process, the accurate ready to mixed with oils. In the process of ideas stay (as theories) while the false dissolving the sodium hydroxide, the ideas disappear from mainstream science product is lye. as historic steps towards the truth. In photosynthesis-a process by which On the other plants use solar energy to produce sugar, hand, science is light energy is a product converted to because without chemical energy, those historic which is stored in steps, a yet sugars. The more complex ideas couldn't have appear. process involves For example, Sir Isaac Newton cannot three basic formulate the laws of motion without the reactants (water, ideas of Aristotle and Galileo Galilie. In carbon dioxide and light energy) and other words Newton didn't come up with produces three key products (glucose, the equation out of nowhere, neither he oxygen and water). destroyed false ideas of Aristotle about Meaning of Technology (c) The intelligent organization and manipulation of materials for On the same view, technology is defined useful purposes. as both a process and a product. (d) The means employed to provide 1. Technology is a process. for human needs and wants. (a) It is the application of science. (e) Focused on inventing new or (b) The practice, description, and better tools and materials or new terminology of applied sciences. and better ways of doing things. For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction (f) A way of using findings of science (b) It is like a language, rituals, values, to produce new things for a commerce and arts, it is an intrinsic better way of living. part of cultural system and it both shapes and reflects the system (g) Search for concrete solutions that values. work and give wanted results. (c) It is the product of the scientific (h) It is characteristically calculative concept. and imitative, tends to be dangerously manipulative. (d) The complex combination of knowledge, materials (i) Form of human cultural activity. and methods. 2. Technology as a product. (e) Material products of human (a) A system of know-how, skills, making or fabrication. techniques and processes. (f) Total societal enterprise. Technology as a process provides the IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEM: How can means to make and deliver products with we cross from one side of a river to the attainment of specified product features other side? The river is too deep to cross it by use, application and control of by feet and there is too much water stream methods, techniques, machines and or cold temperature to cross by swimming. resources. In other words, it is SEARCHING OF INFORMATION: One of methodology adapted to produce the the possible solution is to build a bridge; product or providing the services. The then we should look for information about steps in technological process consist of the different kinds of bridge and find out if (1) identification of the problem, (2) which kind will fit the need of the searching of information, (3) designing community. and constructing, and (4) evaluation of what have been constructed. DESIGNING & CONSTRUCTING: In this step, an engineer draws the design of the For example, in the construction of a bridge that is appropriate for the location bridge; and purpose of the structure. Once everything is planned, construction will begin. EVALUATION: After the construction of the bridge, it will be tested according to its capacity before we can fully use it, to ensure the safety of the end-users. San Juanico Bridge: The longest bridge in the Philippines For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction However, technology as a product could feasible solution for smart cities. be a ready to use commodity or Singapore, for instance, is leading the something you can hand over to someone vertical farming trend in Southeast Asia, else (even services are products because with over 30 vertical farms by several you give them to others). It can be companies in the past year. In the hardware or software. Here are some Philippines, the Urban Agriculture Act of examples of technology as a product; 2013, which requires the Department of Agriculture to explore urban agriculture, In communication we have the Social including vertical farming, and transform Media Platforms, which allow people to abandoned government lots into vertical create personal pages, post profile images farming facilities, has already been filed. and updates on their lives, and create a friend list of people who can see your Another example of updates. It also allows users to directly technology as a connect with one another through groups, product is the new networks, and location. capabilities of Global Positioning System or GPS. Instant car pools are feasible since people desiring a ride can be Smartphones can be used instantly matched in tracking people, with a vehicle in a vehicles, parcel, etc. nearby area. Also, Different Social Media Platforms that allow us to GPS can be used as a valuable tool in connect with our family and friends. tracking criminals or terrorists by the law enforcers, using devices they attach to Nowadays, Vertical vehicles, or through tracking the Farming is very perpetrator's smartphone. popular in urban areas where plants are cultivated and stacked upwards, usually within buildings, taking less space than traditional farming. Because this method takes up Vertical farming takes fewer resources place the traditional such as water and farming land, it then becomes a For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction Focus Question #2: Based from what you have understood about the meaning of science and technology, determine whether the following statements describe science (as process or product) or technology (as process or product). Go to your Google Classroom and click the link that will redirect you to go to Google Form to answer this question. 1. The Law of Universal Gravitation states that the force of gravity is directly proportional to the product of masses of two attracting bodies and inversely proportional to the square of the distance separating them 2. Scientists and philosophers from For Q.1 & 2: The Law of Universal Gravitation was formulated by Sir Isaac Newton ancient times have made observations about gravity on Earth. In 628, Indian astronomer Brahmagupta recognized gravity as a force of attraction. In the 1600s, Galileo Galilei, Robert Hooke and Johannes Kepler formulated laws of gravity near the Earth. 3. Measuring the width of a wooden block using metric ruler. 4. The measured width of the wooden block is 6.5 centimeters 5. A metric ruler or meter stick can be For Q.3, 4, & 5: Measurement is fundamental to the sciences; to engineering, construction, and other used in measuring lengths with high technical fields; and to almost all everyday precision. activities. 6. Weaving of hat from coconut fronds-the leaf part of coconut palm.To weave the hat, use between 17 and 20 leaflets, means use 17, 18, 19 or 20 leaflets. Hats weaved with 17 leaflets will give a normal hat. below 17 will be smaller and suitable for kids only. Above 20 leaflets will make the hat very large. 7. This hat is something that definitely turns heads and also protects the For Q.6 & 7: Native hat made from coconut fronds wearer from sunlight. For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction 8. In textile manufacturing, the plant or animal fibers are converted into yarn and yarn into fabric. These are dyed or printed. 9. The dyed or printed fabrics are then fabricated into clothes while other textile goods are used for decoration (such as patches, ribbon, bows, flowers, etc.) 10.Cotton is the most important natural fiber in the textile industry; and, cotton For Q.8, 9, &10: Cotton fabric is derived from the fabric is one of the most commonly fibers surrounding the seeds of cotton plants, which used types of fabrics in the world. It is emerge in a round, fluffy formation once the seeds chemically organic, which means that it are mature. does not contain any synthetic compounds. Meaning of Society 1. Came from the Latin word “socius” that 3. Made up of community of people. means friendship, companionship or a) Scientists sociability. b) Technologists c) Recipients (Users) 2. It is a dynamic system of collective, cohabitation of 4. It provides us with a system and a groups of individuals with mutual platform to work together for the understanding, benefits and common betterment of the world. With the goals. collective efforts of the society, we are able to improve our living and social conditions. Society is institutions, population, and the a dynamic environment, alone or in some entity combination, create social change. All because it these areas can impact when and how is subject society changes. And they are all to interrelated: a change in one area can lead constant to changes throughout. Say for example, changes; advances in medical technology allow changes infertile women to bear children, may take place slowly and gradually or eventually it indirectly leads to increase in suddenly and abruptly. Technology, social population. For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction Society is made observed in the current situation of our up of country where Covid-19 became individuals who pandemic. In our condition right now, have agreed to everyone is encourage to follow the health work together protocol (wearing of mask, frequent hand for mutual washing and social distancing) specified by benefit. the Department of Health in order to Through the joint reduce the chances of virus infection and efforts of individuals , they can help the overwhelming of patients’ hospital groups to which they belong to, their accommodation. For the past four months, community, or they can help society as a we’re doing this altogether and we are whole. trying to fight Covid-19…as one. Let us continue the fight until a vaccine is An example of how the people in a society discovered by the experts. Meanwhile, stay work together for a common goal can be at home and stay safe and healthy! Focus Question #3: As an individual, how do you leave a positive impact in your community? Purposes of Science & Technology 1. To improve quality of human condition. 6. To give an information and explanation of the natural world. 2. To provide solution to our practical problems. 7. To develop new areas of knowledge. 3. To establish relevant institutional 8. To combat irrationality. linkages and essential mechanisms. 9. To maintain the availability of 4. To develop individual knowledge. natural resources. 5. To find order in the chaos of nature and deliver personal and social liberation. Technology has advanced into many areas anymore because cellphones, particularly of our lives, making information more smartphones, can save hundreds of phone accessible, improving communication, numbers that are all a click away. Buying changing transportation, and more. Today and selling of goods, nowadays, were also we can text or message our family improved because of technology; instead members and friends online to of going to shopping malls, supermarkets communicate rather than just going and or grocery stores, which is not as safe as knocking on their door. In addition, we when there was no Covid-19 yet, we can don’t need to memorize phone numbers avail all the basic needs with less hassles For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction through online goes smoothly from conception to market buying. But of availability. Hence, the global scientific course we must be community must continue to be part in the careful in choosing development of scientific and online sellers to technological innovations not only to Shopping online is convenient avoid any any successfully combat the COVID-19 and secure. inconvenience pandemic, but also to contribute to in our part. knowledge societies that exist in harmony Always read the reviews of those who with nature and where individuals can lead already purchased the same item before prosperous and fulfilling lives. Let us pray trusting the seller and placing your order/s. and be hopeful that soon a vaccine can be These are only few examples that shows developed to cure the diseases due to how technology improved and made our novel coronavirus (COVID-19). lives easier. Though technology can make our lives easier and convenient, we should Science can also combat irrationality-an also remember that with each benefit absurd action, behavior or thought; but comes a potential cost or consequences. how? Have you heard or learned Aristotle’s theory of motion? In his theory, Aristotle In today’s world, the role of science and stated that heavier objects fall faster than technology is essential; it provides solution lighter ones. Philosophically speaking, he’s to difficult problems, the problems that right that’s why his idea was accepted for have the potential to become major about 2000 years. However, Galileo Galilei bottlenecks to the overall growth of the contradicted country. Some of these problems could be Aristotle’s theory related to health, education, availability of and he asserted healthy food and drinking water, and that light and heavy infrastructure. objects when Currently, the dropped Covid-19 pandemic simultaneously becomes a major from the same problem in the height will reach health system of the ground at the our country and same time. Galileo The “thought experiment” the world, as a Novel coronavirus caused had proven his of Galileo Galilei at the Covid-19 Leaning Tower of Pisa whole. It statement when he happened in dropped objects of times that our health system is not ready different masses from the leaning tower of from this kind of health problem; however, Pisa (in Italy) and eventually, the objects researchers worldwide are working around reached the ground at the same time. the clock to find a vaccine against the virus Though Galileo did not actually dropped causing the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts the objects from the tower (what he did estimate that a fast-tracked vaccine was a “thought experiment”- experiment development process could speed a done in the head, he was able to refute the successful candidate to market in old thinking about the motion of falling approximately 12-18 months–if the process objects. For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction Focus Question #4: In your current situation, how did science and technology improved the quality of your life condition? Limitations of Science and Technology Epistemological concerns. It cannot help us with questions about the God, the ultimate Good, and Truth. It cannot deny nor confirm the existence of God, soul, heaven and other uncertainties. We believe that everything in the universe we run the grave risk of depriving ourselves was created by God and He also made life of what we might have come to truly learn. into existence. And the existence of life and other things Nowadays, we can track the whereabouts could be a of our friends and family members using proof that the modern technology of smartphones, God exists we can even travel from one place to because of His another with ease in a short span of time. creations. But But these technology cannot be used to the questions travel in heaven, hell or purgatory for us to is, if there was be able to prove or deny that there is such no life in a place in the afterlife. We can’t even send a planet, will this text or private message to our deceased mean that loved ones to find out if how they are God does not exist in that place? Some of doing. Actually, none of our modern you might say yes while others might say technology can confirm whether the soul of no; your answer depends on how strong or a deceased person goes to heaven or hell weak your religious belief and we’ll respect or it’s just wandering around us. It’s our your opinion. Well, Science can explain faith that, maybe, matters if what to believe how plants make their own food, how or not to believe. animals depend on plants to sustain life, how our human body system function when we’re alive; however these are not enough evidences to conclude that science can prove or disprove the existence of God. But of course if we use our beliefs as an excuse to draw conclusion scientifically, For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction Metaphysical concerns. Immaterial and transcendental nature is beyond the grasp of scientific inquiry. It cannot speak to issue of ultimate origin, meaning or morality. Immaterial and transcendental describe We, as Christians, also believed that on the anything that has to do with the spiritual or Judgement Day souls will be re-embodied non-physical world, which is beyond the and will live eternally in the heavenly realm of rationality and the material world kingdom. No one knows when it will or ordinary and everyday experience; it is happen, however, let us do the right things mystical or supernatural. An example of this here on earth so that our soul will be is the ability to rewarded in the future. Whether this is true communicate or not, again, our religious belief, which with the dead, should be respected by everyone, matters. which could be And just like the previous example, the initiated through existence of soul is beyond the grasp of spiritual scientific inquiry and there is no scientific channeling or studies, yet, that can prove the reality of this mediumship. instance. Mediums claimed that they can listen to and relay messages from spirits or they can allow spirit to control their body and speak through it directly or by using automatic drawing or writing. The validity of this practice can be studied but no scientific explanation can justify that a medium can communicate with the dead, yet. Another example of transcendental entity is the concept of the soul that exist entirely apart from the body when a person dies. Most of us believed that at death, the soul is separated from the body and exists in a conscious or unconscious spiritual state. For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction Needs human intervention to carry out its functions properly. It can predict forces of nature but cannot prevent the prevalence/occurrence. Cannot guarantee an ultimate solution to any specific problem. In this modern days, machines can be Many years ago, the occurrence of natural operated and made functional by artificial disaster such as earthquake, typhoon, agents like robots, which perform task in behalf of humans without immediate and direct human control. However, there are still other machines (technologies) that become functional only if a person utilized them. Like for example, in doing our volcanic eruption and others were predicted depending on the behavior of some animals, based on astronomical movement of heavenly bodies and other mythical beliefs. People would say that volcano is angry when it erupted or that the gods were demanding for sacrifices. But laundry using a washing machine; we need today, our capability to predict most natural to fill this with water, pour powdered hazards and disseminate warnings based detergent and put the laundry in it because on those predictions can be better the machine cannot do it by itself. Though addressed because of the current scientific the washing can be performed by the and technological advancements; hence, machine automatically, we still need to take we are able to make preventive measures a hand to make it functional and perform its and preparations ahead of time to reduce task properly. Another the damage in our properties. Also, print example, “Siri” or Speech (newspaper) and broadcast media (radio, Interpretation and and television) can help us to learn and Recognition Interface in understand about the natural disasters and our smartphone disaster prevention. However, we cannot (particularly iPhone) can stop these natural phenomena from send a message to our family members, happening with the use of modern friends and colleagues upon dictation but technology, it can only be used for then again, without our effort to do so “Siri” prediction, data gathering and can’t compose the message if we will not interpretation and for preventive measures. dictate it to her. For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction Lastly, science can not solve all of our in many aspects. Knowing that cigarettes problems; however, our scientific contains highly addictive chemical known understanding can help us fight diseases, as nicotine, but it can do nothing to your hunger and poverty when applied properly personal health unless you stop from and when the concerned individual act on smoking or you did not start smoking at all. that understanding, accordingly. For Reading an article about the health risk of instance, science has found that smoking smoking is easy but the hard part is to stop has many from smoking. In this sense, science really bad effects cannot solve the problem, only us can solve related to the problem when we take the knowledge health, social provided by science and use it and appropriately. In fact, many of our psychological problems are caused by lack of action and level, which, eventually, can harm a person not lack of knowledge. Technology and the Quality of Life New technologies are improving the quality of life. These are seen in: 1. Medical research in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices helps us lead healthier lives and offers new hope for the sick. Medical research has high value to society vaccine will bring new hope to the Covid19 because it can provide important patients (more importantly) and to their information about disease trends and risk family as well. factors, outcomes of treatment or public health interventions, functional abilities, In the health patterns of care, and health care costs and management use. Eventually, medical research have led of Covid19 to significant discoveries, the development patients with of new therapies, and a remarkable severe or improvement in health care and public critical health. Like for instance, the discovery of respiratory “Sputnik V” infection, ventilators are indispensable. from Russia is These machines are used to pump oxygen the awaited into the lungs of patients to maintain blood vaccine that oxygen saturation; these are used for might cure severe and critically ill patients Covid19, experiencing breathing difficulties; though there however, not all severe patients need are some ventilator. In other words, not every severe controversies on this, we are very hopeful patient can experience breathing difficulty for the success of curing Covid19 using that can only be solved by ventilator. Some “Sputnik V”. The development of this patients just need to inhale oxygen, and an For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction oxygen system can simply do the job. important to understand that ventilators do These technology [ventilator] allowed time not cure COVID-19, but they help support for the patient to recover in hopes that lung function while a patient’s body is breathing becomes normal again. It’s fighting the infection. 2. Sophisticated traffic management systems for land, sea, and air transportation enable the smooth and timely movement of more people and goods. Transport is a key sector in the Philippine and adapt vehicular traffic speed; economy, linking population and economic eventually, there was a reduction of centers across the islands. The transport polluting elements in the streets, improved system in most of the cities in the road safety and a decrease in the holdup Philippines is predominantly land-based. time. Relative to this, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) tried to In recent improve traffic flow and reduce travel years, there times, making the best not only for the has been movement of vehicles but also that of notable persons, goods and services. Since Metro development Manila is the country’s main business, retail of roll-on roll- and industry hub, it is important that MMDA off (ro-ro) ferry has a long term solution in managing the services, transit of the people in the metro. And a which are The roll-on-roll-off (ro-ro) ferry complete, centralized urban traffic aimed at services in the Philippines management, which includes centralized providing an stoplight system and CCTV system, was alternative to traditional long-distance implemented as the mobility solution for inter-island shipping services. The ro-ro Metro Manila. The above-mentioned system allows vehicles to drive onto and off technology improved the urban traffic ro-ro ferries without loading or unloading control and management, improved of cargo. This transport system can reduce stoplight status data available in real time, the sea transport costs because this improved data on traffic-related incidents, eliminates cargo-handling labor and equipment, and reduces the amount of time cargo is required to be in port. In 2018, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) started to use the new communications, navigation, surveillance/ air traffic management systems (CNS/ATM) that brings air traffic and navigation levels on a par with the international standards. With this CNS/ATM systems, the air travel is Traffic Management System in the Philippines more definite, aircraft identification is more For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction established, and safety and security of passengers are guaranteed. Moreover, the systems also bring a better air traffic flow and space management that optimizes airport capacity and efficient use of airspace, which eventually, minimizes delays by helping aircraft operators meet their departure and arrival schedule. In other words, CNS/ATM technology enhances safety, reliability and efficiency of Air Transportation in the Philippines air traffic service in the Philippines. So, with the above-mentioned place in order to reduce the chances of technological advancements in traffic community transmission of Covid19. In management and transportation, the some ways, it helped to slow down the rate movement of people and goods from one of transmission of the virus but the place to another is considerably fast. Philippine industry and economy were However, in today’s situation, most of us greatly affected by this action of the find some difficulties in going to our government. Anyway, let’s be hopeful that destination [especially those in the work everything will go back to the old normal force] because of a limited means of soon; meanwhile, let’s keep ourselves safe transportation. Recently, our government and healthy by following the health tried to control the number of land, air and protocol imposed by the Department of sea transportation in bringing people to a Health. 3. Agricultural research is producing safer, healthier, and tastier food products. During the ancient civilization, humans overcame hunger and diseases not only by harvesting food from the cultivated land but also by processing it with sophisticated methods. Like for example, in the Ancient Greece, their bread, olive oil and wine were processed and transformed from perishable, unpalatable, or hardly edible raw materials into safe, flavorful, nutritious, stable and enjoyable foods. A baker prepares bread at Panaderia Pantoja- Philippine Bakeshop & Bread Supplier Today, our production-to-consumption food system is complex, however, our food agricultural harvesting, holding and storing is largely safe, tasty, abundant, nutritious, of raw materials, food manufacturing diverse, convenient and cheaper and more (formulation, food processing and readily available and accessible than packaging), transportation and distribution, before. Our food system includes retailing, food service, and food For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction preparation in the home. Food science and also often improves the quality of life for technology contributed greatly to the individuals with specific health conditions, success of modern food system in offering modified foods to meet their resolving nutritional deficiencies and needs; for example, sugar-free foods enhancing food safety. sweetened with an alternative sweetener for people with diabetes. The modern food manufacturing enable to maintain and improve the food quality and enhance the food safety. Also, the sensitive nutrients can be preserved, important vitamins and minerals can be added while toxins and ani-nutrients can be removed, and foods can be designed to optimize health and reduce the risk of disease. Moreover, the waste and product loss can be reduced, and distribution around the world can be facilitated to allow seasonal Artificial sweetener is a good alternative in place of availability of plenty of foods. It should also sugar to limit sugar intake be noted that modern food manufacturing 4. Automobile research is providing safer, cleaner, energy efficient, and more intelligent vehicles. Human mobility was revolutionized by the looking forward for additional advances in the arrival of automobiles. Because of transportation, not only because we want to increase in the number of automobiles, the go in places that we dreamt of, but also to roads and streets were expanded so that reduce greenhouse gases, improve air intercity travel can be accommodated. The quality, and support economic advancement in technology tremendously development. improved the power, performance and travel range of vehicles to the level that they reshaped the city sprawl and the way people live today. Over the years, vehicles have transformed to become advance technological machines that extend mobility to leisure, comfort, luxury, sports, and, for some, an extension, expression of their image and Biofuel benefits the environment because it burns more cleanly and reduces the amount of carbon dioxide personality, and status symbol as well. (greenhouse gas emissions) produced by your car. Some of us are already driving hybrid vehicles or commuting in buses powered by hydrogen or biofuels. We are still For SLSU use only GEC08-SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Introduction 5. Information and telecommunications technologies have enabled instantaneous communications around the globe. Before the emergence of the Internet and TWITTER, and LINKEDIN which allows us to other data networks, the telephone (and communicate and stay connected with earlier the telegraph) was an application of family and friends across the globe technology that allowed people to regularly. All these sites have helped to communicate at a distance by voice (and narrow the physical distances between us. earlier by encoded electronic signals), and Social Networking provides facilities such telephone service was provided by the as faster communication speed, effective public switched telephone network. But sharing of information, paperless today, there are other communication tools environment, etc. that can be used to communicate with other people; these tools include email, We can communicate each other without cellphones, smartphones, computers, video boundaries. It becomes quicker because and web conferencing tools, social we can send an instant message in a networking, as well as online collaboration fraction of time with the low cost which and productivity platforms. saves costs and man power for delivery. And by the use of video conferencing In today's interrelated world, information technique, we can get feel to and communication technology (ICT) is communicate with someone face to face extensively used by our country and it which is benefit for meeting or affects our lives everyday. Recently, many communicate together. ICT gadgets are used in our life and facilitate with mobility, thus, used anywhere and anytime. These gadgets operate for information, speed, and communication and reduce the physical and mental human work load. By that principles, modern day gadgets truly helped mankind in daily life. ICT has contributed a lot to change our everyday life such as letter to e-mail, market shopping to on-line shopping, classroom learning to e-learning, etc. We can carry out net banking, read newspapers online, watch TV programs, and connects Information and communication technology is an ourselves to our family, friends, or relatives ‘umbrella’ term that includes any communication while we are at long distance by using the device such as television, digital media, smart phones, iPads, smart board, etc. ICT also includes the e-mail, messenger, call-conference, or hardware & software used to operate the technology. video-conference. Moreover, there are many available social networking sites like FACEBOOK, VIBER, -END OF THE LESSON- For SLSU use only