GEC108 Science, Technology and Society - Chapter 01
GEC108 Science, Technology and Society - Chapter 01
GEC108 Science, Technology and Society - Chapter 01
LESSON 1 Historical Antecedents which Changed the Course of Science and Technology
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, the learner should be able to:
• Trace the historical development of science and technology in the world: Ancient,
Middle and Modern Ages and in the Philippines; and
• Demonstrate appreciation for the developments in science and technology.
Introduction
It is a well-established fact that science and technology impacts all aspects of our lives.
Science and technology is associated in all means with modernity and is considered as an
essential for rapid development. The state of science and technology determines the socio-
economic progress of a country. A country who is not able to implement science and
technology would not progress and reap the benefits of development.
A. History of Science and Technology in the Word: Ancient, Middle and Modern Ages
Science and technology has been around from the beginning of time. It evolves from
the everyday efforts of the people trying to improve their way of living. Throughout history,
humankind and utilized tools, machines, and techniques without understanding how or why
they worked or comprehending their physical or chemical composition.
Science and technology can be traced from the origin of human life 2 million years ago
and each era has significant advancement. The earliest form of Science and technology were
human artifacts found during prehistoric time about 2.3 million years ag0. They were roughly
shaped stones used for chopping and scraping, found primarily in Eastern Africa. Some of the
earliest record of science came from Mesopotamian cultures around 400 B.C., disease
symptoms, chemical substances and astronomical observations were some or the evidence of
emerging science.
During the same period in the Nile valley of Egypt, information on the treatment of
wounds and diseases and even some or the mathematical calculations such as angles,
rectangles, and triangles and the volume of the portion of a pyramid have been around tor
thousands of years. From 300 to 400 B.C. there was a rise in the number of philosophers who
wrote topics on psychology, biology, and a host of other topics. There was Euclid, the founder
of modern geometry, Archimedes, the founder of engineering mechanics and calculated a value
for pi which is still used to this very day.
3000 B.C. gave rise to the Bronze Age in the search tor finding pigments used to color
the human skin, copper was discovered, then it was realized that alloying copper with tin
resulted into bronze which in those days were used to make swords and other weapons. Today,
we use it to build machinery, medals, statues, belts and shoe buckles.
By 3500 B.C. in Mesopotamia, two-wheeled carts had been created and it became the
most frequently used mode of transporting heavy goods from one place to another.
Urbanization is the development of large city, and the first city popped around 3000
B.C. In Egypt during this same time, the first pyramid was built. Pyramids are undoubtedly the
most outstanding development in science and technology and are still a marvel up to the
present.
During the Middle Ages (450 1450 A.D.) gave birth to many scientific and
technological development. Also during the Middle Ages (often called Dark Ages), warfare
had improved tremendously.
The Renaissance Era in Europe that began in 1450 and lasted until 1600 A.D. was the
period known as rebirth of knowledge. In Germany, Gutenberg developed the printing press
which resulted in books being printed instead of huge volume of texts being handwritten. In
Italy, Leonardo da Vinci, a great pioneer in Arts, architecture, engineering and science, stressed
the importance of experiment. He produced a vast series of notebooks with observations on
anatomy, cloud formations, plans for sites, military inventions, tanks, flying machines and
submarines.
Copernicus rediscovered what some of the ancient Greeks had known that the sun was
at the center of the solar system and that the earth revolves around it. The era also gave way to
geographic discovery beginning with the invention of the triangle sail and the magnetic
compass. This aided Prince Henry, the navigator, to travel around South Africa, Portugal, to
reach India. It was around the same time Columbus discovered the Americas.
Fifth Republic
During Corazon Aquino's presidency, the National Science and Technology Authority
was replaced by the Department of Science and Technology, giving the department a
representation in the cabinet. Under the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan for the
years 1987-1992, science and technology's role in economic recovery and sustained economic
growth was highlighted. Science and technology was one of the three priorities of the
government towards an economic recovery.
The first Science and Technology Master Plan or STMP was formulated on August 8,
1988. Its goal was for the Philippines to achieve newly industrialized country status for the
year 2000.
During President Corazon Aquino's term, she encouraged scientists and inventors to
bring the Philippines to its former position as second to Japan in Science and technology and
to achieve the status as an industrialized country in 2000.
R.A. 6655 or the Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988 opened free education
at the secondary level. Together with this was implemented the “Science for the Masses
Program” which aimed at scientific and technological literacy among Filipinos.
President Ramos believes that science and technology was one the means wherein the
Philippines could attain the status of new industrialized country (NIC). During his term, he was
able to establish programs and were significant to the field of Science and technology. In 1993,
Science and Technology Agenda for National Development (STAND) was established.
Among its priorities were: (1) exporting winners identified by the DTI, (2) domestic needs
identified by Presidential Council for Countryside Development, (3) support industries and (4)
coconut industry development. Among the laws enacted by Congress during President Ramos'
tem were the (1) Magna Carta for Science and Technology Personnel (R.A. 8439); (2) Science
and technology Scholarship Law of 1004 (R.A. No. 7687) and (4) Inventors and Inventions
Incentives Act (Republic Act No. 7459). The Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines
(Republic Act No. 8293) was also enacted which provides industrial property rights, copyrights
and related rights, and technology transfer arrangements.
The state of science and technology of a country largely determines its socio- economic
progress. In other countries of the world including the Philippines science and technology has
undergone a tedious process of development. History will show that there were traces of
indigenous technology used by our forefathers as early as the prehistoric times. There is no
doubt that with the passing of the years, science and technology has improved immensely with
the progress of mankind. Breakthroughs in science and technology have improved the lives of
people across the globe, but it posed also serious concerns to mankind because of the improper
implementation of technology. The challenge therefore is for us to determine the type of future
we need to have and then create relevant technologies which will make the world a wonderful
place for us to live in.
ASSESSMENT TASKS
A. Discussion Questions
1. Describe briefly how science and technology evolved during post-commonwealth era
2. Write your own impression on the current science education in the Philippines.
3. Find out what concrete products in science you see in the society today.
Activity
B. Write a reflective essay with a title given below. Minimum of 150 words.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
• Discuss how the ideas postulated by Copernicus, Darwin, and Freud contributed to the
spark of scientific revolution; and
• Analyze how scientific revolution is done in various parts of the world like in Latin
America, East Asia, Middle East, and Africa.
INTRODUCTION
This lesson will give light to the development of science and Scientific ideas in the
heart of the society. It is the goal of this lesson to articulate ways by which society is
transformed by science and technology.
Scientific Revolution
Science is as-old as the world itself. There is no individual that can exactly identify
when and where science began. From the genesis of time, science has existed. It is always
interwoven with the society. So, how can science be defined?
1. Science as an idea. It includes ideas, theories, and all available systematic explanations
and observations about the natural and physical world.
2. Science as an intellectual activity. It encompasses a systematic and practical study of
the natural and physical world. This process of study involves systematic observation
and experimentation.
3. Science as a body of knowledge. It is a subject or a discipline, a field of study, or a body
of knowledge that deals with the process of learning about the natural and physical
world. This is what we refer to as school science.
4. Science as a personal and social activity. This explains that science is both knowledge
and activities done by human beings to develop better understanding of the word around
them. It is a means to improve life and to survive in life. It is interwoven with people's
lives.
Human beings have embarked in scientific activities in order to know and understand
everything around them. They have persistently observed and studied the natural and the
physical world in order to find meanings and seek answers to many questions. They have
developed noble ideas, later known as philosophy, to provide alternative or possible
explanations to certain phenomena. Humans also used religion to rationalize the origins of life
and all lifeless forms.
The idea of scientific revolution is claimed to have started in the early 16th century up
to the 18th century in Europe. Why in Europe? The probable answer is the invention of the
printing machine and the blooming intellectual activities done in various places of learning,
and the growing number of scholars in various fields of human interests. This does not mean,
however, that science is a foreign idea transported from other areas of the globe. Anyone who
can examine the history of science, technology, medicine, and mathematics is aware that al
great Civilizations of the ancient world had their own sophisticated traditions and activities
related to these disciplines.
Scientific revolution was the period of enlightenment when the developments in the
fields of mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology, and chemistry transformed the views of
society about nature. It explained the emergence or birth of modern science as a result of these
developments from the disciplines mentioned. The ideas generated during this period enabled
the people to reflect, rethink, and reexamine their beliefs and their way of life. There is no
doubt that it ignited vast human interests to rethink how they do science and view scientific
processes.
Scientific revolution was the golden age for people committed to scholarly life in
science but it was also a deeply trying moment to some scientific individuals that led to their
painful death or condemnation from the religious institutions who tried to preserve their faith,
religion, and theological views. Some rulers and religious leaders did not accept many of the
early works of scientists. But these did not stop people especially scientists to satisfy their
curiosity of the natural and physical world.
Figure 2. Variables that Influence the Development of Science ldeas, Science Discoveries,
and Technology
Scientists are not driven by clamor for honor and publicity. They are ordinary people
doing extraordinary things. Some scientists were never appreciated during their times, some
were sentenced to death, while others were condemned by the Church during their time. In
spite of all the predicaments and challenges they experienced, they never stopped
experimenting, theorizing, and discovering new knowledge and ideas.
In this part of the lesson, three notable scientists are discussed. For sure, there were
many scientists who worked before and after these individuals. However, it is important to note
that these men, particularly through their ideas, had shaken the world.
Nicolaus Copernicus
One of the Renaissance men, particularly in the field of science, is Nicolaus Copernicus.
Knowledge about the nature of the universe had been essentially unchanged since the great
days of Ancient Greece, some 1,500 years before Copernicus came on the scene (Gribbin,
2003). This continued up to the Renaissance period. In one important way, Copernicus
resembled the Greek ancient philosophers or thinkers-he did not do anything extensive such as
observing heavenly bodies or inviting people to test his ideas, His ideas were an example of
what is presently called as a thought experiment. By the time he finished his doctorate degree,
Copernicus had been appointed as canon at Frombork Cathedral in Poland. Despite his duty as
a canon, he had plenty of time to sustain his interest in astronomy. Copernicus was strongly
influenced by a book entitled Epitome published in 1496 by a German author, Johannes
Mücller. This book contains Müeller's observations of the heavens and some commentary on
earlier works especially that of Ptolemy.
Copernicus's idea and model of the universe was essentially complete in 1510. Not long
after that, he circulated a summary of his ideas to his few close friends in a manuscript called
Commentariolus (Little Commentary). There was no proof that Copernicus was concerned
about the risk of persecution by the Church if he published his ideas formally.
Copernicus was a busy man. His duty as a canon and as a doctor affected his time to
formally publish his work and advance his career in astronomy. The publication of his book
De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres) in 1543 is
often cited as the start of the scientific revolution.
In his book, he wanted a model of the universe in which everything moved around a
single center at unvarying rates (Gribbin, 2003). Copernicus placed the Sun to be the
centerpiece of the universe. The Earth and all the planets are surrounding or orbiting the Sun
each year. The Moon, however, would still be seen orbiting the Earth. Copernicus' smodel of
the Earth orbiting around the Sun automatically positioned the planets into a logical sequence.
In his model, Copernicus outlined two kinds of planetary motion: () the orbits of Venus and
Mercury lay inside the orbit of the Earth, thus, closer to the Sun; and (2) the orbits of Mars,
Saturn, and Jupiter lay outside the Earth's orbit, thus, farther from the Sun. From this model,
he would work on the length of time it will take for each planet to orbit once around the Sun,
The result would form a sequence from Mercury, With a shortest year, through Venus, Earth,
Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn with the longest year, He placed the planets in order of increasing
distance from the Sun. One of the great problems in the Copernicus model, however, was the
position of the stars. The stars cannot be placed in a fixed position like crystals in a distance
sphere.
Copernicus is also a courageous man. Although the Copernican model makes sense
now, during those times, it was judged to be heretic and therefore it was an unacceptable idea
to be taught to Catholics. The Catholic Church banned the Copernican model and was ignored
by Rome for the rest of the 16th century.
2. Do you think thought experiment is still useful in science in the present time?
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin is famous for his theory of evolution. He changed our concept to the
world's creation and its evolution. Johnson (2012) described Darwin as a genius who came
from a line of intellectually gifted and wealthy family. He developed his interest in natural
history during his time as a student at Shrewsbury School. He would also spend time taking
long walks to observe his surroundings while collecting specimens and he pored over books in
his father's library (Gribbin, 2003). According to Johnson, Darwin went to the best schools but
was observed to be a mediocre student. He struggled in his study in medicine and ministry,
which his father has imposed to him. Darwin's life soon changed when one of his professors
recommended him to join a five-year voyage through the HMS Beagle on the Islands of
Galapagos.
Darwin published his book The Origin of Species in 1589. This book is considered to
be one of the most important works in scientific literature Darwin collected many significant
materials in order to present his theory with overwhelming evidence. His book presented
evidence on how species evolved over time and presented traits and adaptation that
diflierentiate species. Like many other scholars, Darwin accumulated many pertinent materials
and data that he could ever possibly need to substantiate his theory.
Darwin's observational skills as a scientist were extraordinary that moved beyond the
realms of plants and animals into the realms of humans. His book The Descent of Man was so
impressive yet very controversial. He introduced the idea of all organic life, including human
beings, under the realm of evolutionary thinking. This replaced the dominant views of a
religious or biblical design that places human beings in a privileged position of having been
created by God. Darwin's theory of evolution scientifically questioned this view.
Darwin's accomplishments were so diverse that it is useful to distinguish two fields to
which he made major contributions: evolutionary biology and philosophy of science. More
than these works, what made Darwin truly remarkable was his courage to challenge religious
and unscientific ideas that are deemed to be prominent during those days. His unorthodox way
of pursuing science gave more value to evidence-based science. Darwin provided a different
framework for doing scientific activities. It is a science marked by observation and experiment.
2. How can Darwin's evolutionary theory influence the following fields in modern times:
• Economy
• Agriculture
• Political Science
• Religion
Sigmund Freud
Freud is a famous figure in the field of psychology. Rosenfels (1980) also described
him as a towering literary figure and a very talented communicator who did his share to raise
the consciousness of the civilized world in psychological matters.
However, apart from these, Freud also made a significant contribution in the scientific
world through the development of an important observational method to gather reliable data to
study humans’ inner life. This method is popularly known as the method of psychoanalysis.
The scientific hypothesis he formulated formed the essential fundamental version of this
method. For Freud, this method of psychoanalysis is a scientific way to study the human mind
and neurotic illness. It is no doubt that amidst all questions on his works that led to some sort
of academic controversy, his method of psychoanalysis had great impact on the scientific way
of understanding human nature.
Freud is not a traditional thinker. According to Weiner (2016), his method of
psychoanalysis was proven to be effective in understanding some neurological conditions that
were not understood by medicine at that time. His method was unorthodox-focusing on human
sexuality and the evil nature of man. This posed immense challenges to scholars and ordinary
citizens of his time. To some, they found his ideas not easy especially in his explanations of
human sexuality.
Freud was born in a much later period from the scientific revolution but his contribution
to knowledge can be seen in many aspects of the human scene, including art, literature,
philosophy, politics, and psychotherapy. Whether he is more of a psychologist or a scientist is
for people to decide. The fact remains that Freudian ideas and theories are still considered
nowadays as a great inspiration to examine human mind and behavior in a more scientifically
accepted way.
1. By looking for other sources and literatures, what are the controversies or questions on
Freud's ideas?
3. If Freud is still alive, what do you think are the major changes he would make to his theory?
Following the Inca, the Aztec civilization has also made substantial contributions to science
and technology and to the society as a whole. Some of their contributions are the following:
1. Mandatory education. The Aztec puts value on education; that is why their children
are mandated to get education regardless of their social class, gender, or age. It is an
early form of universal or inclusive education.
2. Chocolates. The Aztec in Mexico developed chocolate during their time. In the Mayan
culture, they used it as currency. The Aztec valued the cacao beans highly and made it
as part of their tribute to their gods.
3. Antispasmodic medication. They used a type of antispasmodic medication that could
prevent muscle spasms and relax muscles, which could help during surgery.
4. Chinampa. It is a form of Aztec technology for agricultural farming in which the land
was divided into rectangular areas and surrounded by canals.
5. Aztec calendar. This enabled them to plan their activities, rituals, and planting season.
6. Invention of the canoe. A light narrow boat used for traveling in water systems.
China
China is one of the ancient civilizations with substantial contributions in many areas of
life like medicine, astronomy, science, mathematics, arts, philosophy, and music, among
others. Chinese civilizations have greatly influenced many of its neighbor countries like Korea,
Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and other countries that belong
to the old Silk Road.
The Chinese are known for traditional medicines, a product of centuries of experiences
and discovery of the Chinese people. They discovered various medical properties and uses of
different plants and animals to cure human illness. An example is the practice of acupuncture.
ln terms of technology, the Chinese are known to develop many Tools. Among the
famous discoveries and inventions of the Chinese Civilizations were compass, papermaking,
gunpowder, and printing tools that became known in the West only by the end of the Middle
Ages (Davies, 1995). They also invented other tools like iron plough, wheelbarrow, and
propeller, among others. They developed a design of different models of bridges (Zhongguo
ke xue yuan, 1983), invented the first seismological detector, and developed a dry dock facility
(Needham et al., 1971).
In the field of astronomy, the Chinese also made significant records on supernovas,
lunar and solar eclipses, and comets, which were carefully recorded and preserved to
understand better the heavenly bodies and their effects to our world (Mayall, 1939). They
observed the heavenly bodies to understand weather changes and seasons that may affect their
daily activities. They used lunar calendars, too. The Chinese are also known in seismology.
This made them more prepared in times of natural calamities.
China made substantial contributions in various fields. The list of their discoveries and
inventions is overwhelming. These contributions were made along with mathematics, logic,
philosophy, and medicine. However, cultural factors prevented these Chinese achievements
from developing to modern science. According to Needham (1986), it may have been the
religious and philosophical framework of Chinese intellectuals that made them unable to accept
the ideas of laws of nature,
SUMMARY
Scientific revolution is a golden age in the history of science. It marked the birth of
science as a discipline and as a field of inquiry and gave birth to the development of the
scientific method. It was a time in the history of science where many scientific ideas and
discoveries, which were considered innovative and useful, were developed. Some of these ideas
were also controversial in the scientific community and in the political arena. The scientific
revolution significantly changed how people study science and do scientific activities. It
inspired human creativity and critical thinking, moving away from thought experiments to data-
driven and experiment-based ideas.
There were many intellectuals who made essential contributions in science during the
period of scientific revolution. Nicolaus Copernicus developed a model of the universe in
which everything moved around a single center at unvarying rates. He placed the Sun in the
center of the universe and all the planets were surrounding or orbiting it. Copernicus's model
of planets orbiting around the Sun automatically positioned the planets into a logical sequence.
Charles Darwin made significant contribution in the field of evolutionary biology and
philosophy of science. His theory of evolution by natural selection is very useful in many fields
until now. Sigmund Freud developed the idea of psychoanalysis that helped in understanding
human behavior especially neurological conditions.
Science also developed in different parts of the world: in Asia, Europe, Mesoamerica,
and Africa. People in these continents invented tools to help them in everyday life, discovered
medicines to cure diseases, observed heavenly bodies, built structures, discovered many things,
and invented mathematics as a tool and as a discipline. Science provided different ancient
civilizations the means to survive and understand the natural and physical world. It also enabled
human beings to develop various technologies that helped them in their everyday tasks.
1. How did society shape science and how did science shape society?
2. How do social and human issues influence science?
3. How do the political and cultural landscapes of the society affect the development of
scientific culture, science activities, and science literacy?
4. Considering the current state of our society, do you think science literacy among people has
contributed to the growth of our economy?
5. How can science influence government policies?
ACTIVITY
1. Go to your respective groups.
2. Review the history of science
3. Create a timeline HIGHLIGHTING the major discoveries and developments in science.
LESSON 3 Science and Technology and Its Role in Nation Building
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, the learner should be able to:
• Distinguish science from technology;
• Explain how science and technology affect society and the environment;
• Discuss how science and technology contribute to national development;
• Describe the role of science and technology in nation building; and
• Creatively present the importance and contributions of science and technology to
society.
Introduction
The advent of science and technology brought progress not only in our country but in
the entire world. Its development determines to a large extent the socio-economic progress of
a country. It is a well-known fact that it is directly associated with modernity and is an essential
tool for rapid development and progress of a country.
The Role of Science and Technology in the Developing World in the 21st Century
Developments in science and technology are fundamentally altering the way people
live, connect, communicate and transact, with profound effects on economic development.
According to Lee Roy Chetty (2012), science and technology are key drivers to development,
because Scientific and technological revolutions underpin economic advances, improvements
in health systems, education and infrastructure. The technological revolutions of the 21"
century are emerging from entirely new sectors, based on micro-processors,
telecommunications, bio-technology and nano-technology. Products are transforming business
practices across the economy, as well as he lives of all who have access to their effects. The
most remarkable breakthroughs will come from the interaction of insights and applications
arising when these technologies converge.
Through breakthroughs in health services and education, these technologies have the
power to improve the lives of poor people in developing countries. Eradicating malaria and
cures for other diseases which are endemic in developing countries are now possible, allowing
people with debilitating conditions to live healthy and productive lives.
The extent to which developing economies emerge as economic powerhouses depends
on their ability to grasp and apply insights from science and technology and use them
creatively. Innovation is the primary driver of technological growth and drives higher living
standards.
To promote technological advances, developing countries should invest in quality
education for youth, continuous skills training for workers and managers, and should ensure
that knowledge is shared as widely possible across society.
The state of science and technology determines the socio-economic progress of a
country. It is a well-known fact that national progress is highly correlated to the capacity of a
country to produce local industrial goods for domestic needs and that industrialization is very
much dependent on the application of science and technology.
SUMMARY
Science and technology has made great contributions to various aspects of our lives. It has
altered the way people live, connect and communicate and thus has affected profoundly the
economic development in the country.
ASSESSMENT TASKS
A. Discussion Questions
1. Go to your respective groups and exchange ideas on concrete manifestations of the role
that science and technology play in nation building. Fill up this matrix after your
academic conversation.
Contribution Benefit/s Outcome
Local
Regional
National
1. Identify several issues in the Philippines. What science and technology-related policies
could be developed and implemented to solve these social issues?
2. What can you say about the implementation of some science and technology policies
and projects in the country?
3. What are the laws related to science and technology in the Philippines from the year
2000?
4. How are these laws implemented?
ACTIVITY
Create a short video about what you think society or the world would be without science
and technology. Minimum of 1 minute.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
• Discuss the concept of science education; and
• Identify science schools established to promote science education in the Philippines.
INTRODUCTION
The Philippines is trying its best to improve the state of science education in the country.
This lesson will discuss the concept of science education and will identify some strategies to
promote science education in the country. One of the strategies is to establish science schools
that will encourage students to pursue their career in science and technology and to nurture
their gifted potentials in science.
SUMMARY
Science education deals with the teaching and learning of science and in helping the
public develop science literacy. This is important in the promotion and development of science
and technology in the country Science education deals with the development of people in
science, which is the heart of science, technology, and society.
This lesson focused on discussing the concept of science education and introduced
science education in the Philippines from basic education to tertiary education. To promote
science education, science schools were established to develop gifted students in science and
mathematics, such as the Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS), Manila Science
High School, Quezon City Regional Science High School, and the Special Science Elementary
Schools Project. Science programs and projects were organized and developed to nurture
innovation in science in the country, and to encourage individuals to pursue careers and
research in science and technology.
THINK ABOUT THESE QUESTIONS
1. What other government projects and programs are available for science education in the
Philippines?
2. Are there private schools with outstanding science education programs? Identify and
compare their science education programs with public science schools.
ACTIVITY
1. Discuss with your group the science-related issues and problems in the country.
2. Identify science and technology policies that could be adapted or implemented in the
Philippines.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:
• discuss the concept of indigenous science; and
• discuss the contribution of indigenous science in THE development of science and
technology in the Philippines.
INTRODUCTION
This lesson focuses on indigenous science and technology in THE Philippines.
Filipinos, especially during the early times, tried to INVENT tools that will help them in
everyday life. They also developed ALTERNATIVE ideas in explaining various phenomena
and in explaining the world AROUND them. This system of knowledge is called indigenous
knowledge, which is the foundation of indigenous science.
Indigenous Science
Indigenous science is part of the indigenous knowledge system practiced by different
groups of people and early civilizations (Gribbin, 2001; Mkapa, 2004; Sibisi, 2004). It includes
complex arrays of knowledge, expertise, practices, and representations that guide human
societies in their enumerable interactions with the natural milieu: agriculture, medicine, naming
and explaining natural phenomena, and strategies for coping with changing environments
(Pawilen, 2005). Ogawa (1995) claimed that it is collectively lived in and experienced by the
people of a given culture.
According to Cajete (2004), indigenous science includes everything, from metaphysics
to philosophy and various practical technologies practiced by indigenous peoples both past and
present. laccarino (2003) elaborated this idea by explaining that science is a part of culture, and
how science is done largely depends on the cultural practices of the people.
Indigenous beliefs also develop desirable values that are relevant or consistent to
scientific attitudes as identified by Johnston (2000), namely: (1) motivating attitudes; (2)
cooperating attitudes; (3) practical attitudes; and (4) reflective attitudes. These cultural beliefs
therefore can be good foundation for developing positive values toward learning and doing
science and in bringing science in a personal level.
Pawilen (2005) explained that indigenous science knowledge has developed diverse
structures and contents through the interplay between the Society and the environment.
According to Kuhn (1962), developmental Stages of most sciences are characterized by
continual competition between number of distinct views of nature, each partially derived from,
and all roughly compatible with the dictates of scientific observation and method. Sibisi (2004)
also pointed out that indigenous science provides the basics of astronomy, pharmacology, food
technology, or metallurgy, which were derived from traditional knowledge and practices.
5. What is the role of indigenous science in the development of science and technology?
SUMMARY
This lesson discussed the concept of indigenous knowledge and its influence to the
development of indigenous science. The communities in the Philippines have maintained vast
amounts of indigenous knowledge, cultural practices, traditions, and beliefs. These include
beliefs and practices ranging from different areas such as health, environment, peace and order,
agriculture, food production, astronomy, music, and literature. The indigenous knowledge
system of the people served as the foundation for the development of indigenous science.
Even before the time of the Spanish colonization in the Philippines, various people and
communities already practiced science. They invented tools and built structures, studied the
medicinal uses of plants, observed heavenly bodies to predict seasons and weather, and used
indigenous science in agriculture. These are considered indigenous science, which is one of the
foundations of modern science.
2. What is the role of indigenous science in the development of science and technology in the
Philippines?
3. How do society and culture influence the development of Science and technology?
ACTIVITY
LESSON 6 Government Laws, Policies, Plans and Projects Pertaining to Science and
Technology
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
• describe the science and technology environment from 1986-2016;
• Identity government laws, policies, plans and projects pertaining to science and
technology;
• have a glimpse of the status of science and technology and plans for its development
under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte; and
• Appraise their contribution to the development of science and technology in the county.
Introduction
The role that science and technology has played in improving the life and conditions of
people in the world is vivid. Because the Philippines Is a developing country, the status of
science and technology in our country is still below par when compared with countries like
Japan and USA. There is a great need therefore to enact more laws and strengthen existing ones
to improve science and technology includin9 research and development in the country.
Science and Technology Environment from 1986 to 2016
President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino highlighted the importance of science and
technology in achieving economic progress. She helped establish the Department of Science
and Technology (DOST) which formulated the Science and Technology Master Plan 1991-
2000. At that time, the Philippines aimed to be a Newly Industrialized Country (NIC).
Succeeding presidents have had their fair share of policies geared towards improving
the sector. President Fidel v. Ramos introduced laws on inventors' incentives and science and
technology scholarships while President Glora Macapagal Arroyo adopted policies focusing
on a national innovation system and promoted technological entrepreneurship under the
Medium-Term Development Plan 2004-2010.
The most recent National Science and Technology Plan 2002-2020 is largely focused
on building technological self-reliance. Meanwhile, the Harmonized Agenda tor science and
technology presented to President Benigno Aquino in 2014 highlighted two critical issues:
inclusive growth and disaster risk reduction.
Critical technologies to address these issues have been developed and this include LiDAR
processing, remote sensing and microsatellites (DIWATA-1).
By 2010, the Philippines shall have earned niches and become a world class knowledge
provider and user in selected science and technology areas, and shall have developed a
vibrant S&T Culture.
By 2020, the Philippines shall have developed a wide range of globally competitive
products and services which have a high technological content.
Status of Science and Technology and Plans for Development under President Rodrigo
Roa-Duterte
The Duterte administration reassured its commitment to science, technology and
innovation sector. This was established in the increase in the budget of the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST). In a speech of President Duterte delivered by Budget
Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno during the opening of the National Science and Technology
Week 2017, he stated that the budget of DOST has quadrupled in the last seven years "from
P50 billion in 2010 to P208 billion in 2017. The budget for research and development grew by
nearly 6X over the same period of time from P1 billion in 2009 to P5.8 billion in 2017. This
was disclosed in his speech during the celebration of the National Science and Technology
Week at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on July 11, 2017,
In the 10-point economic agenda, the promotion of science, technology and creative
arts was included to enhance innovation and creative capacity towards self- sustaining inclusive
development. S&T must create an avenue for development in various sectors, such as in the
economy.
DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Pena identified the focus of the Department as
Technology transfer and commercialization thus ten percent of its overall budget was allocated
for technology transfer. This resulted to generation of 1000 new intellectual properties that can
be adopted in just one year.
Major accomplishments of the Duterte administration are:
• Entry into the frontiers of Space through its support to the Philippine Space Technology
Program. DIWATA-1 satellites which was launched in 2016 was made by Filipino
scientists who were trained in Japan. The DIWATA-2 which will be launched in 2018
has improved the capabilities to better monitor the country. This was made by another
batch of Filipino scientists. This space technologies can also be utilized in other sectors,
such as in agriculture and disaster preparedness
• A Memorandum of Agreement between Russia and the Philippines regarding the space
program will soon materialize.
• Republic Act 11035 “An Act Institutionalizing the Balik Scientist Program” was signed
into law by the President on June 15, 2018. This law would give more incentives to
returning Filipino experts, Scientists, Inventors, and engineers who would share their
expertise in the country.
• On telecommunication, Department of Information and Communication Technology,
National Telecommunication Commission and telecommunication companies have
agreed to standardize voice call charges to P2.50.
• On weather, 271 new weather stations were installed by the Department of Science and
Technology throughout the country. The Zamboanga Doppler Weather Radar System
was also installed.
ASSESSMENT TASKS
A. Discussion Question
1. Prepare a listing with brief explanation of government policies in relation to the
development and functions of science and technology.
REFLECTION
Clayden, Jonathan, Nick Greeves, Stuart Warren and P. Wothers 2000. Organic Chemistry.
Oxford University Press, USA.
De Guzman, D.F., Delos Reyes, M. G., and Espinosa, A. A., 2012. Discover Science
Chemistry, DIWA Learning Systems Inc., pp. 171-305.
Bodner, G. M., Rickard, L. H., and Spencer, J. N., 2008. Chemistry: Structure and Dynamics,
John
T.W. Graham Solomons and Craig B. Fryhle. (2011). Organic Chemistry. John Wiley & Sons,
Inc.
Ungson, Olivia B. and Fornias, Virginia R., 2010. Science, Environment, Technology and
Society: Chemistry, Sibs Publishing House, Inc., pp. 214-395