STS REVIEWER
MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, and SOCIETY
- interdisciplinary field of study rooted
in the history, philosophy, anthropology,
and sociology of science and technology
(and medicine)
- examines deep cultural roots of our
technoscientific society and addresses
pressing public policy issues
- constitutes a fundamental aspect of a
liberal arts education and is excellent
preparation for graduate study or
future employment opportunities
o Interdisciplinary study of the
interaction of science and
technology with society and
culture.
o The realization that
discoveries and inventions are
shaped by historical forces
and in turn influence values,
aspirations, events, and
institutions, thus shaping the
course of history.
o S and T in social and cultural
context.
o Both academic and activist.
ON A PERSONAL LEVEL STS IS
- Interdisciplinary education for life
- Relevant to every field of study
- A great major or double major
- A way to improve your writing and
communications skills, problem-
solving abilities, and ability to adapt
to changes in science and technology
- Attractive to potential employers
- Needed at all levels, in education,
government, the private sector, and
internationally
SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY AND INSIGHTS
Many scientific breakthroughs throughout
history have changed the course of human
history.
o Discovery of microorganisms
that cause disease
o Lets us study how to avoid the
spread of diseases and cures
o Watson and Crick-discovered
the structure of the DNA double
helix
o Had helped doctors better
understand genetic diseases /
disorders
o Will hopefully lead to
prevention of cancer and heart
disease
WEATHER FORECASTING
- Meteorologists use a variety of
specialized instruments to predict the
weather
TECHNOLOGY
- Results when scientific knowledge of
materials and processes are used to
benefit people
TECHNOLOGY CAN BE:
o Any human-made project
o Any method or technique for
making any object or tool
o Object or skills needed to
operate a human-made object
o A system of people or objects
used to do a particular task
TECHNOLOGICAL METHODS AND
TECHNIQUES
- Long ago, people would sit for hours
copying each page of a book by hand
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- Books were expensive and bought only
by the very rich
- Today, books can be created in different
ways
- Technology can also be the knowledge
or skills needed to perform a task
- A network of people and objects that
work together to perform a task is
also technology
- A technological system is a collection
of the other types of technology that are
combined to perform a specific
function
GLOBAL TECHNOLOGICAL NEEDS
- Technological solutions in developing
countries focus on supplying basic needs
for families
- Technology that would supply adequate
and safe drinking water and food
supplies would be valued
INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES
- Because the needs for survival are met
in industrialized nations, money often
spent on technology
- Technology is designed to improve the
quality of life of individuals
BIOENGINEERING AND FOOD
- Agricultural biotechnology is a
collection of scientific techniques,
including genetic engineering, that are
used to create, improve, or modify
plants, animals, and microorganisms
- Genetically altering plant species is a
highly controversial practice
SOCIAL FORCES THAT SHAPE
TECHNOLOGY
SOCIETY
- Group of people that share similar
values and beliefs
- The development of technology is
affected by society and its changing
values, politics, and economics
ECONOMIC FORCES THAT SHAPE
TECHNOLOGY
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
- One way in which funds are allocated
for research and development of
technology is through the federal
government
PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS
- An organization not associated with the
government, is a group of people who
work together for a common goal
PRIVATE INDUSTRIES
- Industries budget a portion of their
profits for research and development
RESPONSIBLE TECHNOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
- Sometimes, the consequences of
technology are known, but the
benefits are perceived to outweigh the
risks
- Sometimes the benefits of technology
are known immediately, but the
consequences are not known for a
period of time
ENVIRONMENT ISSUES
- Consumers and voters have a
responsibility to weigh the benefits
and consequences of technology
THE CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT
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- The worst technological accident in
modern times occurred on April 26,
1986, at the Chernobyl nuclear power
plant in Ukraine
- An accumulation of radioactive
fallout in the upper layers of soil has
destroyed important farmland
- Groundwater and surface waters
were contaminated
MORAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES
ETHICAL ISUES (IN SCIENCE)
- Pose questions and establish rules
about how scientific hypotheses should
be tested and how society should use
scientific knowledge
ETHICS
- Help scientists establish standards that
they agree to follow when they collect,
analyze, and report data
SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS
SCIENTISTS
- Have knowledge of scientific
principles
- Scientists often work in research
laboratories doing research
ENGINEERS
- A researcher who is responsible for
bringing technology to the counter is
called an engineer
//***Technological Problems often create a
demand for new scientific knowledge//
FINDING SOLUTIONS
IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM
- The first step in finding a technical
solutions is to define clearly the
problem that you are trying to solve
PROPOSING SOLUTIONS
- Once the problem is clearly defined,
the search for the solution can begin
CONSTRAINTS
- The design restrictions for products
from outside factors
PERFORMANCE TESTING
- The type of performance test used
depends upon the design
COMPUTER SIMULATION
o Uses a computer imitate the
process to collect data or to
test a process or procedure
COMPLYING WITH LAWS AND
REGULATIONS
- Local communities, states, and the
federal government have laws and
regulations regarding manufacturing
processes, products, or buildings
PROTOTYPES AND PILOT PLANTS
PROTOTYPE
- Full-scale model that is used to test a
new product such as a new car design or
a new airplane product
PILOT PLANT
- Smaller version of the real production
equipment that closely models actual
manufacturing conditions
LIMITING SYSTEM FAILURE
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- Performance testing is one way to limit
failures
- Other ways to limit failures are to put
redundant systems within a design

CONTROL SYSTEM
o Device or collection of devices
that monitors a system

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

- Any type of creative work that has

financial value and is protected by law

PATENT

- Legal document granted by the

government giving an inventor the
exclusive right to make, use, and sell
an invention for a specific number of
years