SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIETY COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY – is giving or exchanging

information
STS or Science Studies Examples: Magazines, DVDs, Photography, Video games
Science studies tracks the history of disciplines, the dynamics of Advantage
science as a social institution and the philosophical basis for Digital cameras: Allow you to edit or print the pictures you
scientific knowledge. like
Disadvantage
SCIENCE – knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general Computers/printers/digital cameras: Make forgery and
truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and plagiarism easier
tested through scientific method
o Humans attempt to understand the natural world and its BIO-RELATED AND AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY
phenomena
Biotechnology - the exploitation of biological processes for
Science tries to discover facts and evidences to create theories industrial and other purposes, especially the genetic
based on scientific knowledge: manipulation of microorganisms for the production of
 design a product, process, or medical treatment antibiotics, hormones, biofertilizers, etc.
 predict the impacts of human actions  Genetic engineering
 develop a new technology  Biosensors
Scientific knowledge….  Biofertilizers (microbial inoculants)
 Helps to satisfy many basic human needs and improve Advantage
living standards Health: Improves quality of life through advanced and
 e.g. finding cure for cancer and a clean form of effective medications
energy Disadvantage
 Drives economic growth Health: Side effects of medications
 e.g. return-on-investment
 Develops education AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY is used to improve the growth of
 e.g. science and research plants and animal production through scientific innovations.
 Robotic agricultural systems – automate slow, repetitive
Science is valued by society because the application of scientific and dull tasks for farmers, allowing them to focus more on
knowledge helps to satisfy many basic human needs and improve improving overall production yields
living standards. Advantage
Fertilizers: improve the growth yield of the plants
TECHNOLOGY – practical application of scientific knowledge Disadvantage
especially in a particular field of science Fertilizers: Contamination of groundwater affecting the
o Products and processes created by researchers to meet water potability
our needs and wants Benefits of Agricultural Technology
 Higher crop productivity
How does  Decreased use of water, fertilizer, and pesticides, which in
technology turn keeps food prices down
address  Reduced impact on natural ecosystems
human  Less runoff of chemicals into rivers and groundwater
needs and  Increased worker safety
wants?  Greater efficiencies and lower prices
 Safer growing conditions and safer foods
 Reduced environmental and ecological impact
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – allows us to send signals
worldwide
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY – used to treat specific disease and
Examples: TV, Satellites, Internet, GPS, Mobile phones
injury through rapid detection
Advantages
 Lasers
Internet: Can easily access information
 Prostheses – artificial body parts
TV: Entertainment and news updates
 Ultrasound
Disadvantages
 Robotic check-up
Internet: Difficult to distinguish the reliable and unreliable
 Melanoma biopsies
sources
 Electronic aspirin
TV: Bias or fake information
Advantage
X-RAY: Easily diagnose internal injuries and fractures
Disadvantage
X-RAY: excessive exposure to radiation causes cancer
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY – is the application of NANOTECHNOLOGY – deals with dimensions and tolerances of
environmental science, green chemistry, environmental less than 100 nanometers, especially the manipulation of
monitoring and electronic devices individual atoms and molecules.
 to monitor, model and conserve the natural environment  Biosensor : the use of microorganisms, enzymes and
and resources antibodies to detect chemicals
 to curb the negative impacts of human involvement  Medicine : nanobots that clear away blockages in the
Innovation for environmental protection and sustainable blood vessels
development. (e.g. bioreactors, wind turbines, etc.)  Electronics : Quantum dots & silicon chips
 Environment : self-replicating nanobots
Advantage  Goods and other products
Recycling: improves water and air quality Advantage – Offers potential role for new and faster kinds of
Disadvantage computers, more efficient power sources and life-saving medical
Recycling: Disposal of garbage is more complicated and treatments.
time consuming Disadvantage – Economic disruption and possible threats to
security, privacy, health and the environment.
TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY – designs, build, and operate Science vs. Technology
transportation systems to facilitate the transfer of the subject Science
from place to another – Study of natural world
 Flight: airplane, rocket, space shuttle – Deals with “what is”
 Land: train, bus, automobile, etc. Technology
 Water: Cruise ships – Study of human-made world
 Non-vehicle: conveyor belts, pipelines – Deals with “what can be”
Advantage – Can travel fast Science and technology are reciprocal
Disadvantage –Accidents Science addresses questions that demand more sophisticated
instruments and provides principles for better instrumentation
and technique.
PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY – is the manufacturing of products Technology provides instruments and techniques that enable
on an assembly line and the construction of job site structures. observations of objects and phenomena that are unobservable
Manufacturing converts natural or synthetic materials into due to several factors (quantity, distance, location, size, and
usable products (e.g. clothing, vehicles, and food) speed).
Construction technology builds structures that support loads and - also provides tools for investigations, inquiry, and analysis.
protect us form the environment (e.g. house, bridge, roads) Science and Technology in Society
Advantages Science influences society through its knowledge and world view.
Manufacturing: new products help to make our life easier *Scientific knowledge influences the way many individuals
and increase in leisure time in society think of themselves, others, and the
Construction: provides shelter, improves roads and creates environment.
employment opportunities Technology influences society through its products and
Disadvantages processes.
Manufacturing: many industries use materials that can *Technological changes are accompanied by social,
harm the environment political, and economic changes
Construction: Noise and debris, traffic problems, accidents Society – an enduring and cooperating social group whose
and injuries members have developed organized patterns of relationships
through interaction with one another.
ENERGY AND POWER TECHNOLOGY – is an interdisciplinary • A community, nation, or broad grouping of people
engineering science having to do with the efficient, safe, having common:
environmentally friendly and economical extraction, conversion, • traditions
transportation, storage and use of energy, targeted towards • institutions
yielding high efficiency whilst skirting side effects on humans, • collective activities
nature and the environment. • interests
 Chemical energy -> gasoline Factors affecting social change
 Mechanical energy -> motion  Natural
 Thermal energy -> steam  Geographical
 Electrical energy -> electricity  Biological
 Radiant energy -> light  Demographic
Advantage – Without energy and power most technologies  Socio-economic
would not exist or work  Cultural
Disadvantage – Overuse of nonrenewable resources  Political
 Science and Technology