STS GE8 Glossary of Terms

"The Good Life": A concept involving happiness, health, and meaningful experiences, which technology can support or hinder, depending on its application.

Agricultural Innovations: Advances in farming practices, techniques, and tools that improve productivity, sustainability, and economic viability.

Agriculture: The science, art, and practice of cultivating plants and livestock for food, fiber, and other products.

Agroecology: A sustainable farming approach that integrates ecological principles to enhance productivity and environmental health.

Animal Welfare: The ethical responsibility to ensure the well-being and humane treatment of animals, including those used in genetic engineering.

Artificial Coral Reefs: Man-made structures designed to mimic natural coral reefs to restore marine habitats and protect marine life.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): The simulation of human intelligence in machines designed to perform tasks like decision-making, problem-solving, and learning.

Automated Irrigation Systems: Technology used to water crops efficiently, saving time and ensuring optimal water use.

Biodiversity: The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Biotechnology: The use of biological processes and organisms to develop new technologies and products, particularly in agriculture and medicine.

Bureau of Agriculture: A government body established during the American Colonial Period to modernize and improve agricultural practices in the Philippines.

CAR T-cell Therapy: A type of gene therapy where a patient’s T-cells are modified to fight cancer more effectively, particularly in blood cancers.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): A technology that captures carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes or power generation and stores them underground to prevent atmospheric release.

Climate Change: Long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, and weather patterns caused by human and natural factors.

Climate Change: Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns, mainly caused by human activities like burning fossil fuels.

Climate Models: Computer simulations used to predict future climate scenarios based on current and historical environmental data.

CREATE Act: Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act; a Philippine law offering tax incentives to businesses, including those investing in eco-friendly technologies.

CRISPR: A gene-editing tool used to make precise changes in DNA sequences.

Cultural Traditions: Practices, beliefs, and values passed down within a community that influence behaviors and innovations.

Cyberbullying: Harmful actions or communication conducted through online platforms, negatively impacting mental health.

De-Development: An approach prioritizing quality of life, sustainability, and happiness over economic growth by reducing excessive resource consumption in wealthier nations to allow equitable distribution.

Digital Addiction: Over-reliance on digital devices, leading to distraction, stress, or reduced engagement in real-world activities.

Digital Divide: The gap between individuals or communities with access to modern digital technologies and those without.

Digital Technology: Tools such as smartphones, computers, and the internet that facilitate communication, productivity, and societal changes.

Digital Tools in Agriculture: Modern technologies like drones, sensors, and precision farming applications that enhance agricultural productivity and decision-making.

DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid; the molecule that carries genetic instructions for the growth, development, and reproduction of all living organisms.

DOST (Department of Science and Technology): The Philippine government agency responsible for scientific and technological development and innovation.

Drought-Resistant Crops: Crops genetically engineered or bred to withstand dry conditions, ensuring food security in arid regions.

Environmental Problems: Harm caused by technological processes, such as resource mining, waste disposal, and fossil fuel use, contributing to pollution and climate change.

Erythromycin: An antibiotic discovered by Filipino scientist Abelardo Aguilar, widely used to treat bacterial infections.

Ethical Research: Research conducted according to principles of honesty, fairness, and integrity to avoid harm and benefit society.

Ethics in Technology: The study and application of moral principles to the development and use of technology, ensuring its benefits are fair and responsible.

Ethics: The study of what is morally right or wrong.

Fairness and Access: Ensuring equitable distribution of resources and technology among all people, regardless of socioeconomic status.

Family Farm Schools (FFS): Educational institutions combining formal education with hands-on farming to train students in agricultural entrepreneurship and sustainability.

FDA (Food and Drug Administration): A U.S. government agency responsible for ensuring the safety of food and drugs.

Food Security: The availability of sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet the needs of a population.

Gene Editing: The process of altering an organism's DNA to change specific traits.

Gene Therapy: A medical technique that involves altering or replacing defective genes to treat or prevent diseases.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Organisms altered in a laboratory to enhance specific traits for improved farming and food production.

Global Differences: Variations in how countries approach and use genetic engineering and digital technology.

Global Perspectives: Recognizing how science and technology are shaped by and adapted to different cultural and environmental contexts worldwide.

Green Revolution: A period (~1940s–1960s) marked by the introduction of high-yield crops, synthetic fertilizers, and pesticides to boost agricultural production.

Gregorio Zara: A Filipino scientist known for inventing the videophone and promoting renewable energy sources.

Historical Context: Understanding the historical development of science and technology to appreciate current practices and innovations.

Human Flourishing: A state where individuals lead fulfilling lives by achieving happiness, utilizing their talents, and contributing to their communities effectively, often aided by wise technology use.

Humanism: A perspective emphasizing that technology should serve humanity’s needs without undermining values or relationships.

Hydropower: Electricity generated from the energy of flowing water, usually using dams or rivers.

Indigenous Farming Methods: Traditional agricultural practices, such as irrigation and crop rotation, developed by early Filipino communities.

Information Age: The current era characterized by the widespread use of digital technology in daily life.

Innovation: The process of creating or improving products, services, or processes to solve problems or meet needs.

Instant Connection: The ability to communicate with others instantly through digital platforms like social media and messaging apps.

Intellectual Property (IP): Legal rights that protect creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary works, and designs.

Interdisciplinary Nature: The integration of ideas and methods from multiple fields of study to provide a more comprehensive understanding of complex issues.

Internet of Things (IoT): A network of interconnected devices that collect and exchange data to improve efficiency and convenience in various applications.

ISIP: Inclusive S&T Innovation Program; an initiative under the Science for Change Program focused on creating businesses to solve social problems.

Job Loss and Inequality: The displacement of workers due to automation and AI, alongside unequal access to advanced technologies, exacerbating social divides.

Maria Orosa: A Filipino food technologist who invented banana ketchup and other nutrient-rich food products.

Martial Law: A period in Philippine history (1972–1986) under President Ferdinand Marcos that saw increased investment in science education but limited academic freedom.

Misuse of Technology: The unethical use of technological tools for harmful purposes, such as spreading misinformation or creating weapons.

Nano Biofortification: A method of using nanotechnology to enhance the nutritional content of crops, potentially addressing malnutrition.

Nanoparticles: Extremely small particles ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers in size. They often exhibit unique physical and chemical properties due to their size.

Nanotechnology: The science and application of materials at an atomic, molecular, or supramolecular scale, often measured in nanometers (one-billionth of a meter). It enables precision solutions in medicine, agriculture, and industry.

National Science Development Board (NSDB): Established in 1970 to coordinate and promote scientific research and technological advancement in the Philippines.

Neolithic Revolution: The period (~10,000 BCE) when humans transitioned from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settled communities.

PAGTANAW 2050: A long-term S&T development plan for the Philippines, addressing societal needs and future challenges.

Pakikisama: A Filipino cultural value emphasizing harmony and getting along with others, often influencing the adoption of new technologies.

Patents: Exclusive rights granted to inventors to protect their inventions from being made, used, or sold without permission.

Philippine Science High School System: A specialized school system that trains students to excel in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Philippine Science High Schools: Specialized public high schools in the Philippines offering advanced education in science, mathematics, and technology.

Policy Implications: The influence of government policies on scientific research agendas and technological applications.

Posthumanism: An exploration of how technology integrates into human life, such as through AI or robotics, challenging traditional concepts of humanity.

Precision Agriculture: The use of digital technologies like GPS and drones to optimize farming practices and resource use.

Privacy and Security: Protecting personal information from unauthorized use while balancing technological advancements like data collection and facial recognition.

Project Management Apps: Digital tools that help individuals or teams organize, plan, and execute tasks collaboratively.

Public Understanding of Science: Efforts to improve how scientific knowledge is communicated and understood by the general public.

Regulations: Laws or rules set by governments to control or guide practices in certain fields, such as genetic engineering.

Remote Sensing: The use of satellites, drones, or other technologies to collect data about the Earth's surface and atmosphere from a distance.

Renewable Energy: Energy derived from resources that are replenished naturally, such as sunlight, wind, and water.

Republic Act No. 10055 (Philippine Technology Transfer Act of 2009): A law promoting the commercialization of research funded by the government.

Republic Act No. 2067 (Science Act of 1958): A law organizing and improving scientific research in the Philippines to address basic national needs.

Republic Act No. 7459 (Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act): A law offering financial and patent support to Filipino inventors.

Republic Act No. 8293 (Intellectual Property Code): A law protecting the rights of inventors and creators in the Philippines.

Republic Act No. 8439 (Magna Carta for S&T Workers): A law providing benefits, incentives, and scholarships to S&T professionals in government service.

Research and Development (R&D): The process of investigating new ideas and technologies to create innovative solutions or improve existing ones.

Risks and Ethics: Consideration of the potential risks and moral implications of scientific and technological advancements.

Science and Technology (S&T): The collective disciplines and applications of scientific knowledge and technological tools to solve problems and advance society.

Science for Change Program: A Philippine government initiative to boost S&T research in areas like health, renewable energy, and climate change solutions.

Science for the Masses: A program aimed at improving public understanding and appreciation of science in the Philippines.

Social Construction of Knowledge: The idea that scientific and technological advancements are shaped by societal values, needs, and cultural contexts.

Social Media: Online platforms where users share information, connect with others, and raise awareness about issues.

Sociotechnical Imaginaries: Collective visions of desirable futures shaped by science and technology that reflect societal hopes and concerns.

Sociotechnical Systems: The interconnected system of people, organizations, and technologies working together to produce specific outcomes.

Solar Power: The conversion of sunlight into electricity using solar panels.

Superweeds: Weeds that develop resistance to herbicides used with GMO crops, making them harder to control.

Sustainability:The responsible use of resources and technology to ensure environmental protection and equitable access for future generations.

Sustainable Practices: Methods that meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, often seen in agriculture and education.

Technological Determinism: The theory that technology drives societal change, shaping behaviors and relationships, such as smartphones altering communication patterns.

Technology Transfer: The process of transferring knowledge, research, or technology from creators to businesses or the public for practical use.

Telemedicine: The use of digital technologies to provide healthcare services remotely, particularly beneficial in rural areas of the Philippines.

University of Santo Tomas: Established in 1611, it is one of the oldest universities in the Philippines, instrumental in introducing formal education in sciences during the Spanish Colonial Period.

USDA (United States Department of Agriculture): A U.S. agency overseeing agriculture, food safety, and nutrition.

Vitamin A: A nutrient essential for vision, immune function, and skin health.

Wind Energy: Energy generated by wind turbines that convert wind movement into electrical power.