SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 1st Semester

INTRODUCTION IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing TECHNOLOGY

on the shoulders of giants”
❑ From the Greek word techne, meaning art,
- SIR ISAAC NEWTON skill or cunning hand
❑ It is the application of scientific expertise,
laws and principles to the development of
SCIENCE services, products, instruments, and
machines built to solve real problems
➢ Old as the world itself ❑ It is a material product, the results of
➢ Personal & Social Activity scientific investigation
➢ Body of Knowledge ❑ A complex system of expertise, skills,
➢ Intellectual Activity personnel, techniques, equipment, materials
➢ Idea and resources that are used and allocated to
the production, operation and manufacture
SCIENCE of a new or enhanced product, process or
service
❑ From the Latin word scientia, meaning
knowledge
❑ The framework of knowledge of the natural SOCIETY
world learned through the scientific method
❑ It leads to the creation of concepts, methods, ❑ Derived from the Latin word societas, it
principles, theories, laws and procedures typically refers to individuals belonging to a
which seek to describe and explain nature particular groups. A community of people
and its phenomena engaging with each other through persistent
❑ Can also be defined as relationships or a broad social grouping
1. Idea – includes ideas, theories and all occupying the same geographical or social
available systematic explanations territory, normally subject to the same
and observations about the natural political authority and dominant cultural
and physical world expectations.
2. Intellectual Activity – involves ❑ A complex of mutual relationship classes,
systematic observation and communicating with each other, allowing
experimentation human organisms to carry on their life
3. Body of Knowledge – subject, activities and helping each person, in
discipline, field of study that deals association with their fellows, to fulfill their
with the process of learning about wishes and fulfill their interests.
natural and physical world
4. Personal and Social Activity – done
What is Science, Technology and Society?
by human beings to develop better
understanding of the world around ▪ The study of how social, political and cultural
them principles influence scientific research and
technological progress, and how they, in
turn, impact society.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 1st Semester
▪ Refers to the relationship of science and
technology with the socio-cultural, political
and economic environments that form and
shape them; concrete examples of scientific
and technological advances throughout
human history.
▪ A relatively young field which brings together
previously independent and older
disciplines, such as science history, science
philosophy of science and sociology
▪ ▪ As an academic field, According to Harvard
University’s Kennedy School (2018), traces
its root from interwar period and start of the
❖ Science is characterized as the systematic
cold war.
study of nature, of the material and physical
▪ The growth of STS as an academic field
world, based on observation,
resulted from the realization that many
experimentation and measurement, as well
schools today do not really prepare students
as the formulation of laws to explain these
to respond to the challenges raised by
facts in general terms.
science and technology in the current term
❖ It is the analysis of information that can be
objectively, reflectively and proactively.
turned into method which typically relies on
▪ As an interdisciplinary field, this was the
the observation and checking of facts.
product of concerns about the complex
❖ The term science is used by scientists, the
relationship of science and technology with
curious seeker of answers to the unknown in
different facets of society, which was seen as
a methodical and orderly manner
a socially embedded community
❖ Technology refers to the body of structured
science, instruments and devices used by
man to control his environment for the sake
of general good.
❖ It includes the adoption of scientific
knowledge or innovations to create and
manufacture product and services that are
useful to man for solving daily problems or
promoting tiresome human activities.
❖ A realistic problem-solving enterprise that is
motivated by scientific discovery or social
needs.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 1st Semester
LESSON 2 CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENT
2. Cultural Environment (Social Environment)
➢ Comes from the French word “Environmer”
➢ It is a resource created by man. The
which means surroundings.
features of the cultural environment
➢ Everything which surrounds us whether, create an identity of that region or
living or non-living of a component of our place.
environment. ➢ It can be changed or developed but
the meaning and feeling of the
➢ It is what surrounds a thing. environment must not be altered.
➢ The sum of all external conditions affecting ➢ These are environments shaped by
the life, developments and survival of human activities, such as cultural
organisms. landscapes in the countryside,
forests, urban areas and cities, fixed
➢ The combination of all physical and organic archaeological structures on land or
factors that act on a living being, residents, water, constructions and built
or ecological society which powers its environment
endurance and growth. ➢ An environment that affect the basic
values, behaviors, and preferences of
the society-all of which have an effect
TYPES OF ENVIRONMENT on consumer marketing decisions.
1. Physical Environment (Natural ➢ The study of social hierarchy, social
Environment) norms and practices,
▪ The product of nature where regional/religious-based groupings,
there is no direct or indirect and their behavior helps us
effect of human activity. understand the cultural environment
▪ Ex. Rocks, Minerals, of a location.
Temperature, Humidity, Wind, ➢ A business concept that helps
Rain, and other related non- comprehend a group of people’s or
living elements. society’s norms and collective ideas
▪ Physical Components of based on their culture, religion,
environment includes soil, water, location, nationality, language and
air, climate temperature, light other elements.
etc.
▪ It is divided into three (3) parts
❖ Atmosphere (gas)
❖ Hydrosphere (liquid)
❖ Lithosphere (solid)
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 1st Semester
1. Lithosphere (Solid)
• It is the mantle of rocks constituting
the upper part of the earth called
crust.
• The rocks constituting the crust
2. Hydrosphere (Liquid)
• It is that part of the earth where
water is available either in the liquid
or in the solid form.
• It includes the surface as well as the
underground water and covers three
fourth of the total area of the earth.
3. Atmosphere (Gas)
• It is made of the layers of gases
surrounding a planet or other
celestial body.
• It is the mixture of the gases that
envelops the earth's water and
landmass up to a height of several
kilometers.
4. Biosphere
• It is a global ecosystem made up of
living organisms (biota) and the
nonliving (abiotic) factors that
provide them with energy and
nutrients.
• It is a narrow zone on the surface of
the earth where soil, water, and air
combine to sustain life.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 1st Semester
LESSON 3 ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS

WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS? As the environment becomes damaged and

greenhouse gases accumulate, the increasing
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
temperatures on Earth can lead to progressive
• It is a movement that teaches the need for changes, such as:
humans to respect and protect their natural
• Glacial melting from rising temperatures
environment.
• It is being informed about our natural • Drought with water shortages and increased
surroundings, and understanding how our wildfires
actions affect the well-being of our local and
• Rising sea levels with flooding
global environments.
• It is having an understanding of the • Destruction of coral reefs
environment, the impacts of human
• Increasing allergies and asthma due to air
behaviors on it, and the importance of its
protection. pollutants

• With the Industrial Revolution, scientific Certain behaviors or activities that harm the
advances led to the production of environment include:
greenhouse gases that warm the • Plastics - Plastic products do not biodegrade
atmosphere and cause a gradual increase in and fill landfills and oceans worldwide.
temperature, also termed the greenhouse
effect. • Oil drilling - Utilizes large expanses of land
and contributes to gas emissions.
Greenhouse effect
• It is the way in which heat is trapped close to • Deforestation - The destruction of trees and
Earth's surface by “greenhouse gases.” forests for the logging industry and paper
• These heat-trapping gases can be thought of production.
as a blanket wrapped around Earth, keeping • Transportation - Utilizing a personal car
the planet toastier than it would be without produces more gas emissions that harm the
them. air quality.
• Water waste - Long showers, letting the sink
faucet run, and frequent toilet flushing.
• Building - Toxic substances such as asbestos
and lead paint harm people and wildlife.

These gases, which occur naturally in the

atmosphere, include carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrogen oxide, and fluorinated gases
sometimes known as chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs).
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 1 SEMESTER

Ways to help the environment sharing, traveling only for necessary

purposes, and opting for electric cars
1. Water Conservation
and alternative fuels.
➢ water is abundant on the earth’s ➢ Vehicular traffic is also responsible
surface, with over 71% of it on Earth for outdoor air pollution, which is
➢ The fresh water is less than 2.5% of one of the top causes of respiratory
the total water and heart problems.
➢ 1% is drinkable ➢ The number of vehicles per capita is
➢ 90% of the total consumption on a continually rising trend across
the world, but only 50% of the
• minimizing the shower time (to less than 5 urbanites across the world have
minutes), public transport facilities.
• consuming a more plant-based diet, ➢ Over six gigatons of carbon dioxide
emissions can be reduced by 2050 if
• turning off the faucet while brushing teeth, 60% of vehicles become electric.
• installing rainwater harvesting systems, and ➢ According to the UN, the transport
sector's carbon footprint is growing
• instantly repairing leaking taps and faucets the fastest of all.
Carbon Footprint
2. Recycle, Reuse, and Compost (reduce, reuse • serves as an indicator to compare the
& recycle) total amount of greenhouse gases
➢ The famous phrase that means emitted from an activity, product,
reduce the use of materials, reuse company or country.
them whenever possible, and recycle • It is the total amount of greenhouse
them if they can be. gases (including carbon dioxide and
methane) that are generated by our
3 R’s actions.
1. Reduce the use of new materials, single-
• Globally, the average carbon footprint is
use materials like some form of plastics,
closer to 4 tons.
tissue papers, etc.
2. Reuse and repurpose things like grocery
bags, clothes, glass, and wood. Increase
4. Conserving Energy
consumption of second-hand things and
limit the purchase of new products. ➢ It is the effort to reduce wasteful
3. Encourage the purchase of recyclable energy consumption by using fewer
items like cardboard, glass, or paper, and energy services.
put them in recycle bin to prevent them ➢ The decision and practice of using
less energy.
from going to the landfill.
➢ It pertains to the actions that people
can take to reduce the amount of
3. Transport Efficiency energy they need, especially in their
homes and other buildings.
➢ transport conservation measures ➢ People can reduce their dependence
should be adopted, like switching to on fossil fuels and switch to
public transport, carpooling or ride- renewable sources of energy, like like
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 1 SEMESTER

solar power sources, wherever possible

to minimize pollution and carbon dioxide
emissions.

Importance of Energy Conservation

❑ It can reduce our carbon footprint and
minimize the effects of global warming
before it gets even worse.
❑ It helps us do that by decreasing our
dependence on fossil fuels.
❑ It helps individuals save money.
❑ It increases energy efficiency.

Benefits of Energy Conservation

❖ Slows Down Global Warming
❖ Reduces the Use of Fossil Fuels
❖ Saves Money

5. Changing Food Consumption pattern

➢ The food sector is another major
emission sector due to its
production, transportation, and
consumption patterns.
➢ To reduce energy consumption in the
food sector, it is vital to make
healthier and more-environment
friendly choices.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 1 SEMESTER

LESSON 4: FOOD SECURITY

What is Food? ▪ It means the following: (4 Main dimensions)

FOOD - Availability
- Accessibility
❑ The basic necessities of life. - Utilization
- Stability
❑ Products derived from plants or animals that can
be taken into body to yield energy and nutrients Pillars of Food Security (4 Dimensions)
for maintenance of life and the growth and repair
of tissues. 1. Availability
➢ Food availability addresses the “supply side” of
❑ It contains nutrients—substances essential for food security and is determined by the level of
the growth, repair, and maintenance of body food production, stock levels and net trade.
tissues and for the regulation of vital processes. ➢ The availability of food depends on its
❑ Mixtures of Chemicals production and distribution.
➢ To ensure food security, there must be enough
❑ Makes you happy, healthy and going. places to grow food
➢ The availability of food also depends on
❑ This includes how food nourishes our body and
successful production.
how food influences or health.

Food Choices 2. Accessibility

➢ An adequate supply of food at the national or
▪ Preference international level does not in itself guarantee
▪ Habit household level food security.
➢ Concerns about insufficient food access have
▪ Ethnic Heritage resulted in a greater policy focus on incomes,
expenditure, markets and prices in achieving food
▪ Social Interactions
security objectives.
▪ Availability, Convenience and Economy ➢ Food being available does not guarantee that
people have access to it. Poverty prevents many
▪ Positive and Negative Associations households from buying enough food.
▪ Emotions
2 Aspects of Accessibility
▪ Values
A. Direct access (Physical) - It refers to the ability
What is Food security? to grow and harvest food for yourself.
Food security B. Economic access - It refers to the ability to buy
food.
▪ A multi-dimensional concept that is usually
specialized in addressing one ❖ Income and Education is the two (2) factors that
play a role in access to food. It has impact on the
▪ aspect of the larger food security problem.
following:
▪ When all people, at all times, have physical and
• How much food can be bought
economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious
food that meets their dietary needs and food • What type of food is bought (nutritious or less
preferences for an active and healthy life. (1996 nutritious) and
World Food Summit) • How food is shared within a household.
• Gender can also play a role here.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 1 SEMESTER

3. Utilization
➢ Commonly understood as the way the body FOOD SYSTEM
makes the most of various nutrients in the food.
▪ It is the combination of all the factors that are
➢ Sufficient energy and nutrient intake by
important for food security.
individuals are the result of good care and feeding
practices, food preparation, diversity of the diet ▪ Allows for a better alignment to various
and intra-household distribution of food. problems in the organization, availability and
➢ Combined with good biological utilization of distribution of the current food system along
food consumed, this determines the nutritional
with its effects on people and the
status of individuals.
environment.
➢ The food must also be safe. How food is stored
and prepared plays a role in this, with health and 4 ASPECTS (DOMAINS) of FOOD SYSTEM
hygiene being important. APPROACH
➢ Food quality is not adversely affected by
observing hygiene. Poor quality food can have a 1. Food security: sufficient food for everyone
negative impact on a person's health. • To organize food system to have enough
supply of food for everyone in a growing
global population.

2. Ensuring a healthy diet

• A healthy diet is made up of a balance of
nutrients such as proteins, fats, minerals
and fiber.
• At present, unbalanced diets are the cause
4. Stability (Adequate Access) of illness in more than 3 billion people,
➢ Inadequate access to food on a periodic basis, either through undernutrition or
risking a deterioration of your nutritional status. overnutrition (obesity).
➢ Adverse weather conditions, political instability, 3. Equitable distribution of costs and
or economic factors (unemployment, rising food
revenues
prices) may have an impact on your food security
status. • Costs and revenues are not equitably
➢ This stability can be jeopardized by natural distributed along the food supply chain.
phenomena. • There are also differences in the
➢ Wars, unemployment and inequality can also lead accessibility, price and allocation of food.
to food insecurity if they result in young men not • This raises questions about what is an
being available as laborers or women not being appropriate price for food (both for
allowed to work in the fields. producers and consumers) and about
dependence on local or international food
FOOD SYSTEM APPROACH systems.

❖ In striving to improve food security we 4. Sustainability: climate change, sustainable

should not blindly focus on one part of the use of soil, water and other resources and
problem. Any increase in the amount of food biodiversity.
that comes at the expense of the climate, for • The only way to future-proof our food
instance, simply creates a new problem. system is to make sure it is adapted to
(Wageningen University) climate change, that it uses resources in a
sustainable and circular way, that it takes
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 1 SEMESTER

our health into account, and that it

contributes to biodiversity. 3. Climate Change
▪ As the earth warms, the area in which
Food insecurity agriculture is viable will become smaller.
▪ Some farmland will be in areas that are too
➢ It leads to poorer health and restricted
hot or too dry to grow crops, and some will
development.
be unsuitable for farming due to flooding or
➢ It can lead to poorer diet, less sleep,
other natural disasters.
diabetes and depression.
➢ Rising food prices lead to a larger ▪ It is vital therefore to combat climate change
proportion of income being spent on as much as possible and to learn to deal with
food. Households then have less money the consequences we are already
to spend on other things such as health experiencing.
and education.
What we can do to strengthen food security:
Why is food security such a major global 1. Reducing food waste and food loss
challenge?
▪ Food waste is caused, for example, by
Food insecurity will become an increasing problem inefficient preparation methods and
over the coming decades due to the following main consumer preferences (ex. slightly rotten fruit
causes: or oddly shaped vegetables).
1. Growing World Population ▪ We can reduce food waste by introducing
▪ 3 billion people on earth in 1960 improved methods of food preparation. One
example is the use of vegetable trimmings in
▪ 70,206,291 people from 2022, soups.
▪ The World Population in 2023
▪ Food loss is caused, among other things, by
is 8,045,311,447 (at mid-year, according to U.N.
estimates) (0.88% Increase) crop failures and incorrect storage of food.

▪ The World Population in 2024 is 8,178,501,592 ▪ We can reduce food loss by improving
as of September 26,2024 from United Nation storage and packaging.
▪ The current population of Africa ▪ Packaging that indicates whether or not food
1,523,230,930 as of Wednesday, September 25, has gone off already exists
2024, based on the latest United Nations
estimates.
▪ The current population of the
Philippines is 119,106,224 as of September
2024, 1.51% Increase.
2. Changing diet
• When the income of a population increases, food
preferences also change.
• As a larger part of the world becomes wealthier
in the coming decades, the demand for processed
food, meat and dairy products will rise 2. Improving Infrastructure
▪ Sufficient people or machines must be
available for sowing and harvesting, the
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY 1 SEMESTER

crops must be protected against weeds,

diseases and pests, storage must be in order, 7. Addressing the indirect causes of food
and good transport to markets or end users insecurity
must be available. • Food insecurity is also caused by an
imbalance between imports and exports.
3. Promoting fair trading practices
• Not every country will be able to grow all the
food it needs there must be sufficient capital
• It is not just large commercial companies that
available to import food.
need access to food markets; small farmers
• Healthy food must also be financially
must also be paid a fair price for their
available to all population groups.
products.
• Wars and social insecurity can also lead to
• Farmers working together in cooperatives
food insecurity.
have greater leverage to negotiate their
purchase and sales prices, and thus make a
better living from their produce. Top 10 Countries Suffering from hunger (World
food Program USA as of 2023
4. Paying attention to diversification
1. Democratic Republic of Congo - 26 Million
• Focusing on a single type of crop
2. Afghanistan - 19.9 Million
(monoculture) can exhaust the soil and
3. Yemen - 17 Million
make the crop more vulnerable to diseases
4. Syria – 12 Million
and pests.
5. Sahel – 13 Million
• Farmers have a big problem
6. South Sudan – 7.7 Million
if their crop fails and they have no
7. Sudan - 15.8 Million
alternatives. Moreover, this can reduce
8. Somalia – 6 Million
the nutritional value of products.
9. Northern Ethopia – 5.5 Million
• Diversification is important to guarantee
10. Haiti - 4.7 Million
food security.

5. Reducing yield gap

Top 10 Causes of World Hunger (Concern
• Inefficient production methods mean that
Worldwide)
agricultural land yields are far less than
should be possible in some places. 1. Poverty
• Crop rotation and the use of sustainable
2. Food Shortages
production methods and new techniques
increase production on these farmlands. This 3. War and Conflict
also results in more nutritious crops.
4. Climate Change
6. Combating Climate change 5. Poor Nutrition
• Droughts and floods are major causes of crop
6. Poor Public Policy and Political Instability
failure and in many cases are consequences
of global climate change. 7. Bad Economy
• Combating climate change will reduce crop
failures, by introducing production methods 8. Food waste
that use less water. 9. Gender Inequality
• Agriculture can make a positive contribution
to a better climate. 10. Forced Mitigation