NATSC11 De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde

Hand-out 1: Science and Technology

Hand-out 1: Science and TechnologyLecturer: Mr. Jose Mari Balines Gonzales M.Sc. in I.T. for Natural Resource Management

Objectives: To correlate science and technology. To examine the impacts of science and technology to human society and health, and

to the environment. To determine and re-assess the values that contributed to scientific progress. To distinguish the kind of technology to employ by applying the Desirability

Quotient.

A Planet in Peril? “…an overstatement…” (Booler, Telegraph. 2008) “…a new Religion…” (Butler, Telegraph. 2008) “... emerging as the latest threat to the world’s dwindling fish stocks…” (UNEP, 2008) These are collective views on the impacts of global warming- an issue that has put mankind in a dilemma. No matter who we are you will agree that all of us have a moral obligation to maintain the environment we live in. Our actions may range from throwing waste materials in proper disposal containers to creatively developing means and ways through diplomacy, business and technology. Environmental Chemistry (NATSC11) is all about the environment studied in the light of chemistry.

There is a need for a Benildean to undergo this study in order to have a balance view of science and technology and its impact to human health and the natural environment. His study of this subject will lead him in making better decisions, and even personal resolutions, on popular environmental issues facing human society today. Our study of Environmental Chemistry (NATSC11) begins by examining this global issue. View the film An Inconvenient Truth with your designated study group. Examine the discussion in the film carefully by considering the following questions:

What points from the discussion struck you the most?

How do you view global warming as an environmental issue? What key elements in human society will determine the degree of impact of global warming?

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Homework 1: An Inconvenient Truth!The objective of this film viewing is to examine the various impacts of global warming to the global

environment. Using this as a context, the class will re-assess the role of science and technology in human society and the environment. Instructions:1. Work with your study group. A study group consists of five (5) members. 2. View the film An Inconvenient Truth! at a convenient time with your group mates.3. Answer the guide questions above, A Planet in Peril? Synthesize a set of answers for the group in a short bond paper. (10 points)4. Submit on the next NATSC11 session.

NATSC11 De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde

Hand-out 1: Science and Technology

21st Century Philippines owes its current status to both local and foreign technologies. Can you name a few technologies originally developed by Filipinos? (This image was downloaded through the Google search engine, 2007)

San Juan City choking in smog. Although technology had brought environmental problems in our society, why is it still important that we view these issues with open-mindedness and a balanced view? (This image was downloaded through the Google search engine, 2007)

Science and Technology

The Philippines would not have reached its progressive state today if it were not through science and technology. Various Filipino scientists have both discovered and promoted scientific principles. On the other hand, Filipino technologists and business entrepreneurs have developed ways to apply these scientific principles on ways and means that have economic significance for the country. Hand in hand, science and technology had aided the country to make significant strides towards progress and have made Filipino lives easier and better.

Yet, in the course of progress the Philippine environment had been inflicted with various environmental impacts. The air you breathe right now is presently polluted with gases coming from both vehicles and factories. Water, you both use for drinking and sanitary purposes, is tainted with various contaminants. And some of the soil from which every Filipino treads on may never be used for

agricultural purposes forever! Therefore, where does a Benildean stand in all such kinds of environmental issues?

Weighing matters before deciding to take a stand on an issue, whether he is for or against it, is an essential trait developed among Benildeans. His decisions are always based from reliable facts that he attempts to understand, no matter whether his field of specialization covers it or not. He strives to be well informed.

So, before deciding whether science and technology is a hazard to Filipino lives or a benefactor, he will first consider the nature of science and technology (its role in society and the environment), its contribution and the impact it has over our lives and our society.

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NATSC11 De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde

Hand-out 1: Science and Technology

How is chemistry a science? (This image was downloaded through the Google search engine, 2007)

Why do we consider these (fertilizers, pharmaceutical products and resins of plastics) as outputs of technology? (This image was downloaded through the Google search engine, 2007)

Rationale for Class Activity 1: Chemistry, People and Our Environment

Science and technology is a tool employed in chemistry to satisfy human needs and improve the quality of lives.

Chemistry is “a science that deals with the composition, structure, and properties of substances and with the transformations that they undergo.” (Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, 2009)

Science is defined as a “knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method.” (Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, 2009)

Therefore, science acts to acquire truths and principles. These are obtained, and then tested, using the

scientific method as its standard. (Appendix 1-2)Technology is defined as “a

technical method of achieving a practical purpose… the

means employed to provide objects necessary for human sustenance and comfort.” (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, 1976.)

Through technology a scientific truth, or principle, is given a practical purpose. Once the practical purpose is identified, technology also develops an object (say, an equipment or tool) that an ordinary person can easily use. This developed object is intended to help in sustaining human life and make human living conditions better.

Summing it up, when a scientific truth (or principle) is obtained through chemistry (by conducting experiments and tests)

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Class Activity 1: Chemistry, People and Our Environment.The objective of this activity is to establish a rationale on why environmental chemistry is an avenue for

understanding the varied effects of human activities on our natural environment.This activity was based from Activity 1: Chemistry, People and Our Environment from the activity book

Chemistry, Man and the Environment – An Activity Book (Brion et al). Instructions:1. Work in study groups. A group will submit one (1) output only. (15 points)Activity 1.a:2. Your lecturer will show you a figure using the Microsoft Powerpoint software. (Appendix 1-1)3. As a group identify each image around “chemistry”.4. In a one (1) whole pad paper, enumerate each image and explain its relationship with chemistry (and their

positive and negative impacts to mankind).Activity 1.b:5. Finally, briefly describe the kind of job you will get from the course you have enrolled in. Then explain how

environmental chemistry will be of use to you in your profession.

NATSC11 De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde

Hand-out 1: Science and Technology

If you really know who you are as a person, what attitudes and values do you have that will greatly contribute to your future profession? (This image was downloaded through the Google search engine, 2007)

technology develops a means to put this into a more practical use for us to make our lives easier and better.

After performing this activity, can you explain the true nature of science and technology? How will you correlate global warming/climate change to science and technology? What are the possible ways of resolving the issue of global warming/climate change?

Rationale for Homework 2: Scientific Attitudes and Benildean Core ValuesAttitudes and values are essential in employing

scientific research and technological applications. It is through our attitude and values that we strive to help others make their lives better too. We become better decision-makers when we use insight and a sense of accountability. When we have a sense of responsibility we take extra care when employing technology. If we have a sense of moral obligation to God, our fellowmen and the natural environment we live in we tend to be involved, in any manner, when technology is misused and creates a threat. Part of DLS-CSB Mission Statement says, that the

institution “… aspires to form Christian community builders who are deeply rooted in faith, appreciative of the worth of each individual, socially responsible, creative, professionally competent, and Filipino in

ideals… commits itself to the building of a just, humane, and progressive society.” Have you integrated this commitment in your life as a Benildean? A Benildean is manifested based on how he measures to this mission statement.

In this activity, Filipino scientists were highlighted. Have you identified the attitudes and values that drove them to success? What similar attitudes and values do you have? Are there others that you think you should still develop as early as now?

Therefore, you would have deduced by now that the proper use or misuse of science and technology is based on the attitudes and values of people.

Hypothesis, Theory, Law and Scientific Methods

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Homework 2: Scientific Attitudes and Benildean Core Values. The objective of this activity is to correlate specific attitudes that are vital to science and technology.Instructions:1. Work individually.2. Borrow the workbook, Chemistry, Man and the Environment – An Activity Book (Brion et al),

from the Learning Resource center (LRC)-Extension.3. Photocopy the complete set of Activity 2: Scientific Attitudes and Benildean Core Values.4. Complete the entire activity at home.5. Submit your completed output.

NATSC11 De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde

Hand-out 1: Science and Technology

Whenever you investigate for a missing item, do you not use the procedures governed by scientific methods? (This image was downloaded through the Google search engine, 2007)

A scientific truth is obtained and tested through scientific methods. Scientists are very keen of their environment. Most of what they observe around them drives them to curiosity and later moves them to perform experiments. Through scientific method most of their assumptions are confirmed. The scientific method is a standard procedure that is used to obtain a conclusion. Whatever conclusion is gained it later becomes a scientific truth.

Hypothesis is a tentative assumption based from an initial observation of a phenomenon. This (the hypothesis) is a problem that a scientist works on. Whatever results are obtained it is analyzed in relation to other results derived from other experiments. Since scientific study is unending the available results would give a temporary explanation that is logical enough to explain the phenomenon observed. A theory, therefore, is a tentative explanation- it is not yet the final explanation. Take as an example the evolution of man. Yet, if no other conclusions can be obtained later on, as scientists perform more experiments, then the conclusion is final. It becomes a scientific truth or law. Consider as an example the laws of gravity and the laws of thermodynamics.

Aside from its stated goal, this activity should also help you develop the proper way of solving problems.

Rationale for Class Activity 2: Technology Assessment

Not all forms of technology can be employed because of the way it will affect people. The desirability quotient (DQ) employed in this activity is just one of several ways by which scientists and government authorities decide whether to apply a technology or not. There will always be issues to argue. But as a Benildean you should consider the impact of a technology to a common Filipino and the Philippine’s natural environment.

Technology modifies raw materials to provide better satisfaction to end users.

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Class Activity 2: Technology Assessment.The objective of this activity is to compute for the Desirability Quotient (DQ) of selected

technologies using the DQ formula.Instructions:1. Form a group with five (5) members. One (1) output is to be submitted by the group.2. Borrow the workbook, Chemistry, Man and the Environment – An Activity Book (Brion et al),

at the LRC-Extension.3. Photocopy the complete set of Activity 4: Technology Assessment.4. The activity is to be completed in class.5. The output is to be submitted at the end of the same class period.

NATSC11 De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde

Hand-out 1: Science and Technology

Homework 3: Technology in the Philippines.The objective of this homework is to identify

locally developed technologies that had affected other countries.Instructions:1. Work in pairs. One (1) output is to be submitted.2. Borrow the workbook, Chemistry, Man and the

Environment – An Activity Book (Brion et al), from the LRC-Extension.

3. Photocopy the complete set of Activity 5: Technology in the Philippines.

4. Complete the entire activity at home.5. Submit your completed output.

These products also have positive and negative effects to its end users. Desirability Quotient equation determines whether the advantages weigh more than

the disadvantages. Formula: DQ = Benefits/Risk where:

<1.0 = reject the technology.>1.0 = accept the technology.=1.0 = technology needs to be modified and must undergo serious debate.

Rationale for Homework 3: Technology in the Philippines

This activity highlights technologies developed by Filipinos. By browsing over several references compare the number of technologies here in the Philippines that are purely developed by Filipinos and those developed by foreigners (yet, applied in our country). The comparison should tell you the degree of need our country have for scientists and technologists. Is your chosen course a possible venue for developing new technologies in the future?

Why Pay Attention to This Subject?

True, you may not intend to be a scientist or a technologist after graduating from your chosen course here at CSB. But you will always make decisions. To make a good decision one must always be equipped with information that are factual, or reliable.

With so many environmental issues bombarding our society right now, as a Benildean, you are called to participate! To stand for or against an issue would require you to decide. When you make a decision be sure that you have based them on accurate information. NATSC11 is a venue for you to get first hand information on environmental chemistry. Pay extra attention. A lot is at stake with decisions you will make in the future.

E N DReferences:

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NATSC11 De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde

Hand-out 1: Science and Technology

Brion et al. 2000. Chemistry, Man and the Environment – An Activity Book. Omniscience Publishing, Co. Manila, Philippines.Snyder, C.H. 1998. The Extraordinary Chemistry of Ordinary Things, 3rd Edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, USA.Timberlake, K.C. 2003. Chemistry, An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry, 8th Ed. Benjamin Cummings. California, USA.Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary. 1976. G. & C. Merriam Co. Massachusetts, USA.

URL:

Chemistry definition:http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chemistry Science definition:http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/science

Global warming impacts- an exaggeration, 2008: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1YourView&xml=/earth/2008/01/10/sciglacier110.xml

UNEP acts on current effect of global warming, 2008: http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=528&ArticleID=5751

Polar bears trapped on melting ice: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-433170/Globa...

Official NATSC11 URL: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/csb_natsc11/

APPENDIX 1-1

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NATSC11 De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde

Hand-out 1: Science and Technology

Illustration for Classroom Activity 1:Chemistry, People and Our Environment

APPENDIX 1-2

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NATSC11 De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde

Hand-out 1: Science and Technology

Scientific Method

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