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I. MODULE TITTLE:

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, and NATION-BUILDING

Lesson 1 Pre-Colonial Period

Lesson 2 Colonial Period
Lesson 3 Post-Colonial Period

II. 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 as an essential tool for rapid development and progress of a
country.

III. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:

 Explain how early Filipinos applied scientific principles in their daily living;
 Present government policies on science and technology and explain their importance to the nation; and
 Discuss the role of science and technology in nation-building.

IV. DISCUSSION:

 Science and Technology Defined

Science and technology is a field of endeavour upon which a two-way interaction operates between
the two. While the science is the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the
structure and the behaviour of the physical and the natural world through observation and experiment
(Oxford advance learning), technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes
(oxford), it is the use of resources made available by nature to procreate and make changes.

The development of science and technology in the Philippines has already come along way. Many
significant inventions and discoveries have been accomplished by or attributed to Filipinos. This chapter
tackles how the development of science and technology affect the development of science and technology
affect the development of the Philippines as a nation.

 PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD
Scientific and technological development in the Philippines began in the pre-colonial period. Even before the
Spaniards came to the Philippine islands, early Filipino settlers were already using certain plants and herbs as
medicines. Systems of farming and animal-raising were also implemented. Moreover, early Filipinos had also
developed different modes of transportation, whether terrestrial or maritime.
A complicated engineering feat was achieved by the natives of the Cordilleras when they built rice terraces by
hand. Through these terraces, the people were able to cultivate crops on the mountainsides in cold temperatures.
They incorporated an irrigation system that uses water from the forests and mountain tops to achieve an
elaborate farming system. The rice terraces of the Cordilleras, which are still functional, show the innovative
and ingenious way of the natives to survive in an otherwise unfriendly environment.

 COLONIAL PERIOD
Colonization by the Spaniards provided the Philippines with modern means of construction. Walls, roads,
bridges, and other large infrastructures were built using some of the engineering skills and tools brought by the

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Spaniards. In addition, the Spanish government developed health and education systems that were enjoyed by
the principalia class.
The American occupation modernized almost all aspects of life in the Philippines. They established a
government agency, the Bureau of Science, for the sole purpose of nurturing development in the field of science
and technology.
 POST-COLONIAL PERIOD
After achieving independence from the colonizers, the Philippines, under different administrations,
continued to pursue programs in science and technology. Each leadership had its own science and technology
agenda. However, it is important to note than some Philippine presidents posted more developments in the field
than others.
One of the presidents who ushered in advancements in science and technology was former president and
dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Under his term, many agencies in science and technology were established and
strengthened, including the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) in place of the abolished Weather Bureau; the National Academy of Science and Technology
(NAST); and the reconstituted National Science and Technology Authority (originally established in 1958 as
the National Science and Development Board and now the Department of Science and Technology), among
others. Marcos saw that the key to nation-building is the continued development of science and technology. The
progress in science and technology continued even after his dictatorial rule and the presidents after him left their
own legacies in the field.
 Importance of Science and Technology
Today, we cannot expect our life without science and technology revolving around it every single
second. Science and technology are extremely essential in our everyday life as they have made things more
simple, fast, and secured.
Almost everything that we see around us is the gift of science and technology. Be it the smartphones,
fan, wheel, vehicles, cloth, paper, toothbrush, electricity, microwave, laptops, etc., everything is the result of
science and technology.
 Here are What Science and Technology do for us:
1. It help us to save time and money. While science has given us the knowledge why bake or steamed
–cooked food is better than the fried or oily food, technology has gifted us with microwave and
steamed-cookers that help us bake and steamed our food. Various objects like computers, modes of
transport, washing machines help us save time and energy.
2. Education. Science and Technology have made significant contribution in the field of education.
Technology has made education itself easier. It has provided us options like smart classes,
multimedia devices, e-libraries, e- books, etc.
3. Internet. Information technology, including internet, is an excellent gift of technology. With the
help of internet, we do not get only the immense knowledge on science and other subjects, but we
also get to stay connected with our friends and families.
4. It help us live a better life. While science made significant contributions in healthy by providing
treatment for various chronic diseases, technology has benefited us in receiving those treatments
through various ways and devices like X-ray, scan machines, operation devices, pacemaker, and
many more. We are also blessed with numerous exercising equipment, various health apps, online
doctor and other things that help us maintain good health and life.

 The Role of Science and Technology in Nation-Building

Science and technology has been one of the main driving of the economic growth of nations.
Most of development countries have generated new technologies with potential to result in dynamic
economic performance. This, however, has not been the case with most of the developing countries and
their developmental plans have not given emphasis and importance to science and technology and in
particular in research in the science and technology aspects. Countries like India, South Korea, and
Taiwan in the region have achieved much through science and technology and stand out as having
demonstrated the absolute importance of science and technology for economic growth these countries
are example for the developing countries. The impact of technology on society without doubt is going to
be even more marked in the future.

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That science and technology plays a decisive role in the economic growth of nations is a
foregone conclusion. It is then pertinent to also consider and rethink about the role of scientists and
technologists in stimulating the economic well-being of the country. It is well accepted that scientists
and technologists must necessarily generated new knowledge by engaging in meaningful and
appropriate research and developmental activities. If scientists and technologists are to contribute
significantly on social and economic changes resulting in the development of the country, their role
should expand beyond generation of new knowledge and assume the role of advising the decision
makers and finally making the decisions on the science and technology prospects, choices, and priorities
for the country.

V. EVALUATION:

Assesstment Task
Answer the following questions. (Please provide yellow pad for your Answer)
1. What do you think are the major contributions of science and technology in the Philippine nation-building?
2. What specific government policy do you like the most in terms of contributing to the development of science
and technology in the Philippines?
3. What government policies do you want to implement in the near future?
Activity
4.

For your next activity:

1. Research at least 10 Filipino scientists and their contribution/inventions in the field of science, use
your creativity using technology on this activity. Send your outputs to our group chat via messenger.

I. REFERENCES:

Daniel Joseph McNamara, SJ, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, and SOCIETY

OBE - & PPST – Based SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, and SOCIETY
Google.com

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