Brief Historical Background of Science and Technology in the Philippines PDF

BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND O F S C I E N C E AND T ECHN OLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES  Started way back before the country gained its independence from the American colonizers. The early inhabitants had their culture and traditions before the Spanish colonizers come. Had their ow...

BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND O F S C I E N C E AND T ECHN OLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES  Started way back before the country gained its independence from the American colonizers. The early inhabitants had their culture and traditions before the Spanish colonizers come. Had their own belief system and knowledge system.  PRE-SPANISH Science is embedded in the way of life. Scientific knowledge is observed in: The way they plant their crops. Taking care of animals to help them in their daily tasks, and for food production.  Science is observed in the way they interpret the movements of heavenly bodies to predict seasons and climates, and in organizing days into months and years. Use science in preparing the soil for agricultural purposes Discovered the medicinal uses of plants.  Technology is used by people in building houses, irrigations, and in developing tool that they can use in everyday life. They developed tools for planting, hunting, cooking, and fishing; for fighting their enemies during war or tribal conflicts; and transportation. Developed technologies in creating musical instrument.  Metal Age had a significant influence on the lives of early Filipinos. The sophisticated designs of gold and silver jewelr y, ceramics, and metal tools proved that their technological ideas helped in the development of different tools.  Trading with China, Indonesia, Japan, and other nearby countries have influenced their lives by providing different opportunities for cultural and technological exchange. All these ancient practices in science and technology are considered as indigenous science or folk science.  SPANISH COLONIZATION They brought their own culture and practices. They established schools for boys and girls and introduced the concept of subjects and disciplines. It was the beginning of formal science and technology in the country known as school of science and technology.  Learning of science in school focuses on understanding different concepts related to the human body, plants, animals and heavenly bodies. Technology focuses on using and developing house tools used in everyday life.  Life became modernized, adapting some Western technology and their ways of life. Medicine and advanced science were introduced in formal colleges and universities established by the Catholic orders.  The galleon trade has brought additional technology and development in the Philippines. Trades allowed other ideas, crops, tools, cultural practices, technology, and Western practices to reach the country. Some Filipino student studied in Europe contributed to the advancement of medicine, engineering, arts, music, and literature in the country.  The Philippines, being one of the centers of global trade in Southeast Asia during that time, was considered to be one of the most developed places in the region. The superstitious beliefs of the people and Catholic doctrines and practices during the Spanish era halted the growth of science in the country.  AMERICAN COLONIZATION The Americans have more influence in the development of science and technology in the Philippines compared to the Spaniards. They established the public education system, improved the engineering works and the health condition of the people.  They established a modern research university, the University of the Philippines, and created more public hospitals. They explored and exploited the mineral resources in the country. Transportation and communication systems were improved, though not accessible throughout the country.  The Americans did everything to “Americanized” the Philippines. They recognized the learning of science and introduced it in public and private schools. In basic education, science education focuses on nature studies and science and sanitation, until it became a subject formally known as “Science.”  The teaching of science in higher education has greatly improved and modernized. Researches were done to control malaria, cholera, and tuberculosis and other tropical diseases.  WORLD WAR II World War II has destabilized the development of the country in many ways. The country had a difficult time to rebuild itself from the ruins of the war.  The reparation money from Japan was concentrated on building highways and in providing technological training and human resource development in the country. It has explored the use of ODA (Overseas Development Allocations) from other countries to help the country improve its scientific productivity and technological capability.  Human resource development is at the heart of these efforts focusing on producing more engineers, scientists, technology experts, doctors, and other professionals in the country. INFLUENC ES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF S C I E N C E AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES Internal Influences Survival Culture Economic Activities Development of Science and Technology in the Philippines External Influences Foreign Colonizers Trades with Foreign Countries Internal Economic Demands TASK: 1. What are the significant contributions of the Spaniards and Americans to the development of science and technology in the Philippines? 2. What can you say about the state of science and technology during the Spanish and American period? 3. How does school science shape science and technology in the country.