WHY DOES YOUR
VOICE CHANGE
WHEN YOU
INHALE HELIUM
GAS?
SCIENCE,
TECHNOLOGY,
SOCIETY AND THE
ENVIRONMENT
(STSE)
SCIENCE
A body of knowledge or facts.
 A way of thinking about or approaching a topic.
 Asks questions that aim to increase our
understanding of the physical universe and our
ability to explain nature.

TECHNOLOGY
Applied science.
 A topic involving the designing and use of
devices, processes, and materials to solve
practical problems and to satisfy human needs
and wants.

SOCIETY

A group, large or small, of people in a particular
place and time who are linked by common goals
and interests.
ENVIRONMENT
The natural world or ecosystem.
 The area in which something exists or lives.
 The complex of physical, chemical, and biological
factors in which a living organism or community
exists.

WHAT IS STSE ALL ABOUT?
This is an outlook on science education
that emphasizes the teaching of scientific
and technological developments in their
cultural, economic, social and political
contexts. In this view of science education,
students are encouraged to engage in
issues pertaining to the impact of science
on everyday life and make responsible
decisions about how to address such
issues.
GOALS OF STSE EDUCATION
 Engaging
students in examining a variety
of real world issues and grounding
scientific knowledge in such realities. In
today's world, such issues might include
the impact on society of: global warming,
genetic engineering, animal testing,
deforestation practices, nuclear testing
and environmental legislations, such as
the EU Waste Legislation or the Kyoto
Protocol.
GOALS OF STSE EDUCATION

Enabling students to formulate a critical
understanding of the interface between science,
society and technology.
GOALS OF STSE EDUCATION

Developing students’ capacities and confidence to
make informed decisions, and to take responsible
action to address issues arising from the impact
of science on their daily lives.
SCIENCE OR TECHNOLOGY?
Fat and lye when heated will make a yellow substance.
(S)
 Soap is a good cleaning substance; it is made from fats,
oils, and lye. (T)

Neon is a colorless gas. (S)
 Neon is used to make colorful signs. (T)

SCIENCE OR TECHNOLOGY?
Aluminum is a light weight metal. (S)
 Airplanes are made from aluminum. (T)

A glass lens will bend (refract) light. (S)
 Glass lenses are used to help make telescopes. (T)

SCIENCE OR TECHNOLOGY?
Can anybody give me another example?
SCIENCE OR TECHNOLOGY?
The following list represents examples of items or
actions that might be classified as science,
technology, both, or neither. Select three
examples from the list and for each example state
if you think it is an example of science,
technology, both, or neither and explain why.
SCIENCE OR TECHNOLOGY?
Shopping for shoes
 A Computer
 Making Cookies
 Photosynthesis
 Planting Seeds
 A Baseball
 Discovering the Speed of
Sound
 A Factory
 Playing a CD
 Getting a hair cut

The Speed of Light
 Chemistry
 Playing the Guitar
 Reading a Book
 Analyzing Results
 Plant Growth
 Drinking a Soft Drink
 RedBull
 Contact Lenses
 Ironing Clothes
 Stone Washed Jeans
