Topic 1 - Nature of Science

Republic of the Philippines

MARINDUQUE STATE COLLEGE

SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
P Manguera Sr. Rd., Tanza, Boac, Marinduque 4900
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

Level III Re-Accredited by the Accrediting Agency for Chartered Colleges Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc.
Module in
Science, Technology
and Society (Code: GE 106)
Prepared by:
LEA L. MALAPAD
College Lecturer
BSIT Program
School Goals: “Produce highly skilled Industrial Technologists trained in their respective discipline socially responsible for the innovative
state of the art technology and be globally competitive.”
”SERVING BEYOND EXCELLENCE”


Science Technology and Society (GE 106)

Chapter 1.Understanding the Nature of Science, Technology, and Society
Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to:

 Define science as a systematic body of knowledge and know the different branches of science.
 List down a scientist that has important contributions in the development of science.
 Define and understand the nature and aspect of technology;
 Enumerate inventors and their inventions that significantly changed the course of history.
 Discuss the major inventions and technologies that characterized each era or generations
 Explain the role of man in the society.
 Describe the impact of science and technology to the society.
Introduction
In this chapter, you will learn the meaning of science, technology, and society. The three areas
will be treated as a single discipline. The discipline referred to as science, technology and society (STS)
is an integration of the three areas. You will learn how science affects the society and how society
affects science; how science affects technology and how technology affects science; how society affects
technology. The three areas put together will lead us in this course, to study the quality of life. Quality
of life depends on our values. You will specifically learn the ideas and definitions educators and
scientists have about STS.
1.1 The Nature of Science

Scientific results are linked to the development of new products and new technologies, and
contribute greatly to economic and medical progress, and to other real social and economic activities.
When the question is raised about what science and technology for society really means, one
important viewpoint is whether or not scientific results are linked to the development of technologies
that can create real, utilizable products and services.
A. Definition and Aspects
The word science comes from Latin word "scientia" meaning "knowledge" and in the broadest
sense it is any systematic knowledge-base or prescriptive practice capable of resulting in prediction.
Science can also be understood as a highly skilled technique or practice.
Science is knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of

general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method. Science is the intellectual
and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical
and natural world through observation and experiment.


Science is believed to be a systematic study of nature. Those who study science are called
scientists. What is peculiar about scientists is that:
1. They do not accept any information as fact until they gather evidences and other scientist came
up with the same finding. In this scientists are said to be skeptical. (Skepticism)
2. They like to look into everything asking why and how questions (curiosity)
3. They work and keep on working at whatever they suspect will give then a clue to what they
are looking for (Perseverance/Persistence)
4. They take things step by step and they aim at accuracy (Systematism). It is very easy for them
to discover things and even the unexpected because of this alertness
5. They do not like to work in isolation, even if they do they show each other what they have
found (cooperation)
6. Scientists are objective, open-minded, honest, restrained, and willing to change opinion, they
are critical minded. Etc.
Because of these attributes of Scientists, science is said to be dynamic, constantly moving, and
the knowledge changes. What you know yesterday and today may not be an acceptable fact tomorrow
because a theory may have to change when new observations are made. Science is therefore tentative.
B. The Scientific Method
The statement that a rose plant does not bear any flower because of lack of carbon dioxide
and water is called hypothesis, which is a tentative solution or generalization to a problem. A big part
of science is to attempt to disprove the hypothesis. If, over time, the hypothesis survives all attempts to
disprove it, it becomes accepted as a theory that is general truth about the natural world but not yet
universally accepted. In biology, one example is the Theory of Evolution. Once the theory is
universally accepted, it becomes a scientific law. Examples of scientific laws are the Law of Inertia.
Law of Gravity and Law of Interaction.
The Scientific Method is a combination of the creative reasoning and testing of hypothesis. It
occurs in a step by step procedures outlined below:
1. Carefully Identify the Problem under study based upon observations of the natural world. To
identify is to specify the problem for the purpose of gathering specific data or information.
2. Gather Specific Data or Information about the specific problem. This information is used to
formulate hypotheses as a tentative solution to the specified problem.
3. Formulate a Hypothesis as a possible answer or solution to the problem. This hypothesis will
be tested in the experimentation process.
4. Plan and conduct an Experiment and Series of Observation to test and verify the validity of the
hypothesis or tentative solution to the problem. It is a controlled attempt to verify and test the
hypothesis.
5. Formulate Conclusion/Generalization based on the facts discovered from the
experimentation/ laboratory activity.


6. Communicate the Result through television, radio, magazine and science journal for future
application.
7. Apply the Result of the process for the formulation of theory and/or scientific law.
C. Branches of Science
1. Social Science
 Social science deals with the human being and their interaction with each other.
Sub-branches:
a. Demography - The science of vital and social statistics such as birth and marriage of the
population.
b. History - Study of past occurrences
c. Psychology - Study of human behavior
d. Sociology - Study of man and his relationship with other men towards society.
2. Abstract Science
 Abstract science deals with the abstract ideas and employs the mental faculties.
Sub-branches:
a. Computer Science - Study of mathematics and technology of computers and their
applications
b. Geometry - A form of mathematics that deals with among others, the deduction of
properties, measures and their relationship of parts, lines and angles in space
c. Logic - The science of correct or reliable reasoning
d. Logistics - Military science dealing with the procurement, maintenance, and
transportation of facilities
e. Mathematics - Study of numbers and measurements
f. Numerology - The study of numbers as in a person‟s birthdate to interpret his or his
character
g. Numismatics - The study and collection of coins, medals, or paper money
h. Philately - Collection and study of religious items
i. Philosophy - The study of the truth and principles of being, knowledge and conduct
3. Natural Science
 Divided into physical and biological sciences. It does not simply describe and explain
nature.
 Physical Science
Sub-branches:
a. Astronautics - The science of travel beyond the earth‟s atmosphere including
interplanetary and interstellar flights.
b. Astronomy - The science that deals with the material universe beyond the earth‟s
atmosphere
c. Biochemistry - The study of chemistry of living cells, tissues, organs and organisms;
study of living matter and of the chemical processes that occur in living organisms.


d. Chemistry - Deals with matter and its properties, composition and its structure.
e. Geography - The science dealing with the earth‟s surface and such elements as
climate.
f. Geology - The study of the earth and its history, including its rocks and its physical
changes
g. Meteorology - Science dealing with the atmosphere, and its phenomena, including
weather and climate
h. Mineralogy - Science or study of minerals
i. Physics - Science dealing with the properties, changes, interactions of matter and
energy.
j. Seismology- The science of earthquakes and their phenomena
 Biological Science
Sub-branches:
a. Bacteriology - The study of bacteria
b. Biology - The study of life
c. Biophysics - The branch of biology dealing with the study of biological structures and
processes by means of methods of physics
d. Botany - The study of plants
e. Cytology - The study of cells
f. Ecology - The branch of biology dealing with the relationship between organisms and
their environment
g. Entomology - The branch of zoology dealing with insects
h. Genetics - The study heredity
i. Ichthyology - The branch of biology dealing with fishes
j. Microbiology - The study of microscopic organisms
k. Mycology - The study of fungi
l. Oceanography - The body of science dealing with the ocean
m. Ophthalmology - The branch of medicine dealing with the anatomy, functions and
diseases of the eyes
n. Ornithology - The branch of zoology dealing with birds
o. Orthodontics - The branch of dentistry dealing with prevention and correction of
irregular dentition.
p. Orthopedics - The correction or cure of deformities and diseases of the skeletal system.
q. Pathology - The science of the origin and nature of disease
r. Pharmacology - The science dealing with the discovery, chemistry, composition,
identification, effects and uses and manufacture of drugs
s. Pharmacy - The art and science of dispensing drugs
t. Physiology - The science dealing with functions of living organisms and their parts
u. Protozoology - The study of one celled animals
v. Taxonomy - Biological classification of diverse kind of organisms
w. Virology - The study of virus
x. Zoology - The study of animals


D. Well-Known Foreign and Filipino Scientists

1. Well-Known Foreign Scientists
a. Alfred Adler (1870-1937)
 Austrian psychiatrist, who founded Individual Psychology.
 The supportive and flexible study called psychotherapy which he
developed directed emotionally disabled people toward maturity and
social usefulness.
 Adler‟s works:
- Understanding Human Nature (1927)
- What Life Should Mean To You (1931)
- The Individual Psychology and Alfred Adler (1956)
- Superiority and Social Interest (1964)
b. Andre Marie Ampere (1725-1836)

 French physicist and mathematician after whom the practical unit of
electric current is named, noted for his important discoveries in the
field of magnetism and electricity.
 Ampere recorded his research in a series of papers Annales de Chimie
et Physique published in 1820-1825.
c. Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)

 Always remembered as the father of the electric telephone.
 In 1880, Bell received the French government‟s Volta prize of 50,000
francs for his invention of the telephone.
d. Antoine Henri Becquerel (1852-1908)

 French physicist discovered radioactivity in early 1896.


e. Louis Bleriot (1872-1936)

 He was one of France‟s and the World‟s Greatest Aeronautical
Engineers and Aviators.
 He invented monoplanes. He is the first man to fly the English Channel
in an airplane, winning a prize offered by London Daily Mail. He made
the flight of 31 meters from Les Berraques, an airfield near Calai, to a
meadow near Dover in 37 minutes, flying a monoplane of his own
design.
f. Louis Braille (1809-1852)

 He was born near Paris on January 4, 1809, accidentally blinded
himself at the age of three.
 Braille learned about a writing technique that had been invented by a
French army officer, Charles Barbier. It was a 12-dot system that was
punched on cardboard for night time battlefield communication.
Braille devised a similar system using six dots in 1824, when he was 15
years old.
g. Marie Curie (1867-1934)

 She was a polish who, with her French husband Pierre (1859-1906)
and Henri Becquerel (1852-1908), received the 1903 Nobel Prize for
Physics for the discovery of radioactivity.
 She also received the 1911 Prize for Chemistry for her discovery of the
elements radium and polonium.
h. John Dalton (1852-1908)

 John Dalton advanced the atomic theory in 1805.


i. Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)

 He patented 1,093 inventions including motion picture projector,
phonograph, electric light bulb, and incandescent.
j. Rudolf Diesel (1859-1913)

 The diesel engine improved on the efficiency of previous internal
combustion engines by dispensing with an external ignition source.
k. Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

 He was regarded by many as the greatest theoretical physicist of all
time.
 Best known as the creator of the theory of relativity.
 He also became known for his contribution to statistical physics and for
his role as a philosopher of science and as a humanitarian.
l. Alexander Fleming (1881-1955)

 Physician and research bacteriologist who discovered penicillin.
 This miracle drug saved millions of lives by stopping the growth of
bacteria responsible for blood poisoning and many other fatal diseases.
 He also discovered lysozyme, an antibacterial agent in tears and saliva.


m. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

 He was a scientist, an inventor, a statesman, a printer, a philosopher, a
musician, and an economist. He was also a diplomat, an educator, and
a public servant.
 He organized the first library in America. He invented many things,
including the lightning rod. Franklin amazed scientists throughout the
world with his experiments on electricity.
 He became the first person to identify lightning as an electrical
discharge.
n. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)

 He studied medicine at the University of Pisa but he is chiefly
remembered for his work on free fall, his use of the telescope and his
employment of experimentation.
 The astronomical discoveries made with his telescopes were described
in his book Sidereus Nuncius (Message from the Stars) which caused a
sensation in Venice.
o. Hipparchus (Died: Approx. 125 BC)

 He invented trigonometry. He was the first cataloguer of stars, listing
almost 1,000 suns in the universe.
 He invented longitude and magnitude, linear division of a 360-degree
circle, which made good maps possible.
p. Joseph Lister(1827-1912)
 An English surgeon, who was the first to solve the problem of wound
infection after surgery.
 Lister‟s first important scientific contribution entitled:
- An Essay on the Early Stages of Inflammation
- On the Antiseptic Principle in the Practice of Surgery


q. Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev (1826-1890)

 Worked on his Principle of Chemistry. He did not design the Periodic
Table, he discovered it.
r. Isaac Newton(1642-1727)
 He formulated the Laws of Universal Gravitation.
 The result is one of the most important and influential works on
physics of all times– Philosohiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica
(Mathematical Principles of Natural philosophy, 1687) or Principia
Mathematica.
s. Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)

 French chemist, founder of microbiology, known primarily for his
work on pasteurization of food and on preventive vaccines.
 His first discovery, made when he was still a student was on
crystallography. He discovered molecular asymmetry by separating the
two crystalline forms of tartaric acid and showing their opposite effects
on polarized lights.
t. Joseph T. Thompson(1856-1946)
 It was he who discovered the theory of electron and established the
theory of electrical nature of matter.
 Thompson‟s experiment on cathode rays led this discovery of negatively
charged particles.


u. Clyde Tombaugh (Born:1906)

 In 1930, he discovered that one of the dots found in his photo was
indeed the planet that had said to be found. He named it Pluto.
v. Carl Zeiss (1816-1888)

 The name Zeiss has become synonymous with excellence in the field of
optical equipment.
 He became famous as a manufacturer of lenses for a wide variety of
optical instruments.
 Zeiss‟s most significant invention was the apochromatic lens of the
microscope, which made it possible to bring a clear image of an object
into focus.
 The world‟s first planetarium projector was built by the Zeiss firm in
1923.
 The firm became world famous for its telescope, microscope, field
glasses and other optical instruments.
2. Well-Known Filipino Scientists

a. Dr. Abelardo Aguilar
 A doctor who helped discovers a widely used antibiotic.
 The drug‟s proprietary name is Ilotycin and Ilosone which is
commonly known by its generic name erythromycin.
 Ilotycin was named in honor of the Iloilo province where Aguilar
obtained soil samples that bore the Aspergillus species of fungi from
which antibiotic was obtained in 1952.
b. Angel C. Alcala
 The world‟s leading authority on Community Ecology, Biogeography
and Systematics of Amphibians/Reptiles.
 He was the first scientist to develop a project to create artificial coral
reefs.
 He became a secretary of the Philippine Department of the
Environmental and Natural Resources and director of the Institute of
Marine Biology at the University of the Philippines.


c. Magdalena C. Cantoria
 Pharmacist and botanist who focused her research efforts on the
morphology, physiology, and biochemistry of drugs plants.
 She has done basic studies on the pharmacognosy of agar, rauwolfia,
datura, mint and Piper species.
 She is also a recipient of the Phi Sigma awards for marked distinction in
biology in 1951 and was proclaimed the Most Outstanding Phi Sigma
in 1977.
d. Ramon Ilejay Castillo

 As an electrical engineering graduate at UP, Ramon capped the 5th
place in the Board Examinations for electrical engineers and landed a
job at Intel, Philippines, renowned integrated circuits. He was hired as a
design automation engineer and later became a senior engineer.
 In 1987, he left Intel to found Innovatronix, a fitting acronym for a
company aiming “Innovative Electronics”. It has several innovative
consumer gadgets in the market today:
- Power-on delay mechanism
- Lantern blinker
- Portable lamp dimmer
- Dancing light and three channel lamp cluster
e. Fe Del Mundo
 Dr. Fe Del Mundo was born in Marinduque.
 She invented the incubator and the jaundice relieving device as her
contribution to the world of Medical Technology.
 In 1980, the National Science and Technology Authority proclaimed
her National Scientist because of her dedication, serving different public
and private associations and agencies.
f. Casimero Del Rosario

 Dr. Del Rosario‟s contributions to science are in physics, meteorology
and astronomy.
 His work on soft x-rays which required high vacuum photography
earned him recognition.
 He co-founded the Bartol Research Foundation in Philadelphysics.
 Received the President award for researches and achievements in
physics, meteorology and astronomy; and the University of the
Philippines Alumni award (Bato Balani, 1994-1995).


g. Pedro B. Escuro
 As a scientist, Escuro has made significant contributions to rice breeding
as plant breeder and a professor.
 Escuro has 18 honors and awards to his name including two
Presidential awards--- the Presidential Plaque of Merit for outstanding
accomplishments in rice improvement (1967) and the Rizal Pro Patria
award for his outstanding contribution to rice breeding and genetics.
 He also received the University of the Philippines Distinguished
Professional Award in agricultural (1973) and Dr. of Science honoris
causa in 1974, and the 2974 Ayala award in agricultural science.
h. Dr. Ramon Gustilo

 A world renowned Filipino scientist, Dr. Ramon Gustilo is a doctor with
specialization in orthopedic surgery. He is also a businessman and a
family man.
 Dr. Gustilo invented different hip replacement system for hip joints to
ease the pain of victims of accidents and victims of chronic athritis. One
of these hip replacement systems is the Prime Cemented Hip System.
 He also designed replacements for the knees that well-known
companies in United States of America distribute. These knee
replacement systems are also called Exodus and Genesis.
 He discovered Orthopedic Innovations, and he is included in the National Science
Heritage Hall of Inventors.
i. Carmen L. Intengan
 A researcher and a science administrator, has contributed much to the
advancement of nutrition in the country, having served as the director
of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute from 1974-1980.
 “Nutrition is definitely the key to a healthy individual. Healthy
individuals makes a healthy nation”
 She received the Presidential award for outstanding contribution in
basic nutrition research in the past decade (1957), Presidential award
for merit for science (1968), and the NRCP Achievement award (1983).


j. Alfredo V. Lagmay
 Dr. Lagmay pursued a lot of studies relating to experimental analysis of
behavior, behavior modification, relaxation, and hypnosis.
 In recognition of his work, the University of the Philippines awarded
him a professional chair in Psychology (1973-1975).
 In 1984, he received the Distinguished Service award for significant
contributions to psychology and the social sciences Association for
Anthropological Diplomacy, Politics and Society, in cooperation with the
association of Third World Anthropologists.
k. Geminiano T. De Ocampo
 The most notable opthalmologist in the country, Dr. de Ocampo
introduced corneal transplantation in the Philippines and designed a
corneal dissector. Aside from these achievements, he also established the
De Ocampo Eye Hospital in the country.
 Succeeded in amending R.A. 343 regarding eye donations, this became
R.A. 349, allowing the donation of part of the human body for specific
purposes by any person before he dies.
 In 1977, Dr. Geminiano de Ocampo was elevated to the Philippine
Opthalmology.
l. Eduardo A. Quisumbing
 A foremost botanist, his book Medicinal Plants in the Philippines is the
foremost of all the researches on medical plants in the country.
 Recipient of the Distinguished Service Star (1954) for outstanding
contribution to the field of systematic botany; Diploma of Merit on
Orchidiology and Fellow Gold Medal: Malaysian Orchids Society
(1966), Gold Medalist, American Orchids Society and 1975 PHILAAS
(Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science) Most
outstanding Award.
m. Francisco Quisumbing
 He invented the Quink trademark ink, the indelible ink which is a
Parker commercial stamp.
 Quink stands for Quisumbing Ink. It cleans the pen as it writes and dries
quickly on paper but remains liquid inside the pen.


n. James Fos Reamon

 His three major inventions include: Aerodynamically Designed Gizelle
Windmill, Jimbo Ventilation I Air-conditioning Intake, Jimbo Ventilation
II, and Rex Water Mill.
o. Jose N. Rodriguez
 He is renowned Filipino leprologist and researcher who has devoted 53
years of his life to the control of leprosy in the country.
 In recognition of his untiring struggle to control and eradicate leprosy in
the Philippines, he is the recipient of many honors and awards including
the 1974 Damien Dutton Award.
p. Eduardo San Juan

 NASA engineer who designed the moon buggy which the Apollo
astronauts used. Apparently, he constructed his model using homemade
materials against others who had high-tech designs, yet it was his model
which was chosen.
q. Carmen C. Velasquez
 Dr. Velasquez‟ contribution to science includes 32 species and a new
genus of digenetic rematodes from Philippines. Most of these works
were published in international journals and cited a number of
journals abroad.
 Dr. Velasquez is the recipient of numerous academic honors and
Presidential awards. She is listed in the American Men and Women of
Science and in the International Scholars Directory, among others.


r. Gregorio T. Velasquez
 Dr. Velasquez pioneered in Philippine Psychology made the first
intensive study of the local Myxophyceae or bluegreen algae from
which he received local and international recognition.
 Among his honors are Distinguished Science Medal and Diploma of
Honor from the Republic of the Philippines (1956), Division of
Biological Sciences (1969) and the Republic of the Philippines Cultural
Heritage award (1972).
s. Gregorio Y. Zara
 Dr. Zara‟s important achievements include: the invention of two-way
television-telephone, electric kinetic resistance known as Zara‟s effect,
airplane engine using alcohol fuel which was first flown at the Manila
International Airport on September 1954 and solar energy.
 He was the recipient of a Presidential Diploma Merit and Distinguished
Service Medal in1959 for his pioneering works and achievements in
solar energy, aeronautics and television; Presidential Gold Medal and
Diploma of Honor for Science and Research in 1966 and Cultural
Heritage award for Science Education and Aero Engineering in 1966.
References:
1. Science, Technology, and Society Module

2. Salludo-Ballene „et al., “Science, Technology and Society”, Trinitas Publishing Inc., 2004

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Republic of the Philippines

MARINDUQUE STATE COLLEGE

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

”SERVING BEYOND EXCELLENCE”

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

Science Technology and Society (GE 106)

At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to:

1.1 The Nature of Science

A. Definition and Aspects

Science is knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of

”SERVING BEYOND EXCELLENCE”

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

B. The Scientific Method

”SERVING BEYOND EXCELLENCE”

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

”SERVING BEYOND EXCELLENCE”

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

”SERVING BEYOND EXCELLENCE”

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

D. Well-Known Foreign and Filipino Scientists

b. Andre Marie Ampere (1725-1836)

c. Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922)

d. Antoine Henri Becquerel (1852-1908)

”SERVING BEYOND EXCELLENCE”

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

e. Louis Bleriot (1872-1936)

f. Louis Braille (1809-1852)

g. Marie Curie (1867-1934)

h. John Dalton (1852-1908)

”SERVING BEYOND EXCELLENCE”

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

i. Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)

j. Rudolf Diesel (1859-1913)

k. Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

l. Alexander Fleming (1881-1955)

”SERVING BEYOND EXCELLENCE”

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

m. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

n. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)

o. Hipparchus (Died: Approx. 125 BC)

”SERVING BEYOND EXCELLENCE”

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

q. Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev (1826-1890)

s. Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)

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Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

u. Clyde Tombaugh (Born:1906)

v. Carl Zeiss (1816-1888)

2. Well-Known Filipino Scientists

”SERVING BEYOND EXCELLENCE”

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

d. Ramon Ilejay Castillo

f. Casimero Del Rosario

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Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

h. Dr. Ramon Gustilo

”SERVING BEYOND EXCELLENCE”

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)

”SERVING BEYOND EXCELLENCE”

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT)