SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY

SUMMARY SHEET
Readings: 1. McLeod, Susan, et al. (Eds.) (2005). Chapter 4: Science and Technology. Writing about the world (3rd ed.).Santa Barbara: Wadsworth. 2. Joy, Bill. (2000). Why the future doesn't need us. Wired 6.08. Retrieved from http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.04/joy_pr.html. Concept / Ideas Science What I understand about the concept / ideas Science is most often described as the observation, investigation, and explanation of various phenomena on Earth and in the universe. It is a socially constructed discipline based around the values, attitudes and desires of the community.

Technology

Technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purpose

The dominant scientific model

It can be called Western science due to its origins in Ancient Greek and European culture. This scientific model aims to minimise the bias0 of an experiment to ensure accurate results.

Prepared by Ms Lily Chua Adapted from Mrs Laura Ng / 2007 Clipart retrieved from http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/images/ani-bot.gif

Impact of scientific discoveries / technological advancements on the natural environment

-Nano technology could be used for incredibly low cost solar power and it can essentially complete clean up of our environment -Great achievement could be made or harmful technologies could also be founded through the pursuit of knowledge. E.g Renewable energy and Nuclear weapons -Our humanity may be lost and machines will take over. -Technology increases the access of current tools in science to less developed countries. Their poverty and dependence on the west can be reduced. And their ability to protect the natural environment can be increased. -Genetically modified crops are created with the help of technology. Too much of these genetically modified crops can cause an unbalance in the ecosystem.

Impact of scientific discoveries / technological advancements on society and individuals

-Nano technology could be made cheaply and any imaginable diseases such as cancer or any physical disability would be solved -Pursuing more knowledge may lead to things even more dangerous than what is already known to mankind, how will we know that what we find would not end up in the wrong hands? They say knowledge is power, what if the power was used wrongly? -Might cause devastating wars. Technology in support of war has made ecological devastation all over the world. -Science can be used to confront gender discrimination.

Ethical issues arising from scientific discoveries / technological advancements

Unfortunately, its easier to create destructive uses for nano technology that constructive ones, nano tech has clear military and terrorist uses which could result in lost of lives and damages in property - The nuclear bombs created with the advancements in technology can be used to kill people. For example, the Hiroshima bombing. - The idea of immortality is going against nature's flow of life. - It is not ethical for robots to be dominating the future. - Cloning has raised our awareness of the profound ethical and moral issues. -Re engineering ourselves into several separate and unequal species using the

Prepared by Ms Lily Chua Adapted from Mrs Laura Ng / 2007 Clipart retrieved from http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/images/ani-bot.gif

power of genetic engineering would threaten the notion of equality (the cornerstone of our democracy)

In the mindmap below, note down the key concepts and ideas in the various aspects of science and technology that are covered in the readings. Categorise the concepts and ideas and show their relationship to one another in a concept map below.

TECHNOLOGY

CHARLIE THE UNICORN

Prepared by Ms Lily Chua Adapted from Mrs Laura Ng / 2007 Clipart retrieved from http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/images/ani-bot.gif