WHAT IS STS? Science Technology and Society

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This section provides an introduction to Science, Technology, and Society (STS) and explains the relationship between social, political, cultural values, scientific research, technological innovation, and society.

What is STS?

• STS stands for Science, Technology, and Society.

• It is the study of how social, political, and cultural values influence scientific research and technological innovation.

• It also explores how these advancements impact society, politics, and culture.

Understanding Science

• Science is a systematic body of knowledge based on careful observation and experimentation.

• It involves a step-by-step procedure to study something and gain more information through experiments.

Exploring Technology

• Technology refers to the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes.

• It involves using tools or existing inventions for their intended purpose or adapting them for other uses.

Defining Society

• Society is a network of relationships among people who share common goals.

• It encompasses a community of individuals with shared values and interests.

The Cycle of STS

• The cycle of STS involves the interaction between social values, science researches, technological advancements, and changes in societal values.

• Social values drive the need to promote certain scientific researches which are then transformed into technology by engineers.

• The technology developed can influence social values in return.

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This section presents visual representations of the STS cycle to further illustrate its continuous nature.

Visual Representation 1

A diagram depicting the cycle of STS as a repetitive process. It shows an old woman sitting down, getting up, and sitting down again, symbolizing the continuous cycle of societal needs, scientific research, technological advancements, and changes in social values.

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This section delves deeper into the relationship between social values and STS.

Social Values and STS

• Social values represent what society wants or needs to promote.

• These values influence the direction of scientific research and the subsequent development of technology.

• The technology created can then impact and potentially change social values.

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This section concludes by highlighting the importance of studying STS in understanding cultural changes and addressing global challenges like climate change.

Cultural Changes

• Culture is constantly changing due to various factors, including societal phenomena.

• The way people live today differs significantly from the past, emphasizing the dynamic nature of culture.

Addressing Global Challenges

• Studying STS helps us understand how human actions affect nature and our planet.

• Climate change is an example of a global challenge that necessitates learning more about STS to find solutions.