Lecture Notes: Science, Technology, and Society

Main Objectives

1. Define Science, Technology, and Society
2. Explain Relationships:
   • Science and Technology
   • Science and Society
   • Technology and Society

Defining Science

• *General Definitions:
  • Latin origin: 'scientia' meaning knowledge
  • Systematic knowledge or practice
  • Acquiring knowledge based on the scientific method
  • Organized knowledge involving procedures
  • Human attempt to understand the natural world, with or without concern for practical uses
  • Discovering facts and creating theories
• *Examples from Discussion:
  • Environment
  • Experiment
  • Knowledge
  • Systematic
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Theory
  • Research

Scientific Method

1. *Problem Identification:
   • Formulate questions based on observations
   • Example: Changes in class size over a semester
2. Background Research:
3. *Hypothesis:
   • An educated assumption based on facts
   • Must not be a wild guess
4. *Experiment:
   • Conduct experiments to test the hypothesis
   • Example: Various school experiments using household items
5. *Analyze Data:
   • Collect and analyze data from experiments
   • Use figures and numbers
6. *Draw Conclusions:
   • Compare results with the hypothesis
   • Decide whether hypothesis is supported
7. *Communicate Results:
   • Share the findings from the experiment

Defining Technology

• *General Definitions:
  • Greek origins: 'techne' (skills, craftsmanship) and 'logos' (study of, reason)
  • Study or discourse of skills and craftsmanship
  • Human attempt to change the world
  • Can also be placed on the same level as arts, politics, and economics
• *Comparisons and Examples:
  • Some people appreciate both technology and art while others do not
  • Technology has a major impact on modern endeavors such as online classes due to the pandemic
  • Economies like Taiwan's have thrived due to heavy investment in technology

Components of Technology

• Tools
• Techniques
• Procedures
• Examples: Paper, car, tablet, cell phone

Technology's Purpose

• Makes gathering information and data easier
• Explores the purpose of knowing
• Driven by scientific breakthroughs

Future Topics

• Definition and analysis of society
• Relationships between science, technology, and society
• Exploration of how technology and science interconnect and affect society

Questions

• Any questions or clarifications about the lecture?