Science, Technology, and Society (STS) is the study of the social, political, economic, and cultural aspects of science and technology, both in America and abroad.  Recent political debate about stem cell research and genomics, about the teaching of evolution, about global warming, and about the security of finite oil reserves and nuclear power are all testament to the importance of studying the relationship between science, technologies and society.  Given the prominence and controversy of these and other hotly debated issues, a Major or Minor in STS is excellent preparation for future graduate study or employment opportunities.  It is also fundamental to creating scientifically literate, critical, and informed citizens.  More...

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On June 16, 2009 Professor Jim Fleming spoke at the America's Climate Choices meeting on geoengineering in Washington, DC sponsored by the National Academies of Science.  His remarks are here (scroll down) http://americasclimatechoices.org/Geoengineering_Input/GeoInputHome.html

On June 22, 2009 Professor Fleming spoke at the NASA Earth System Science at 20 conference in Washington, DC.  Ashley Oliver also attended the meeting.  His powerpoint talk is here: http://dels.nas.edu/osb/AM1-NASA_ESS20_fleming_final.ppt

Video Podcast of Professor Fleming speaking at Planet U Conference, University of Illinois, “Fixing the Sky: The checkered history of weather and climate control,”  April 2009, http://www.planetu.illinois.edu/videos/fleming.html

Science and technology have become increasingly important components of our world, changing the ways we live, work, and think. The well-being of individuals, nations, and, ultimately, our Earth depends in part on technoscientific developments that are part of the process shaping both the social fabric and the natural environment.

Colby is nationally recognized as a leader in the field of Science, Technology, and Society (STS).  It is one of only a handful of liberal arts colleges offering this program and the only one in New England with both a major and and a minor in STS.  Our students are engaged in an exciting interdisciplinary field of study that has deep intellectual roots in the history, philosophy, and sociology of science and technology.

An STS major or minor is suitable for all students since no prior technical or social expertise is required.  STS constitutes a fundamental aspect of a liberal arts education and functions as excellent preparation for graduate study or future employment opportunities in both the private sector or in public service. By choosing from a variety of electives, students in the STS Program are introduced to critical and interdisciplinary perspectives on the interactions of science, technology, and society. Students gain an understanding of the historical and social dimensions of science and technology; they also become better-informed citizens of our high-tech society.  

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Global Warming and the Anthropogenic Greenhouse Effect, China, and Geoengineering (3 talks)
Dr. Mike MacCracken, The Climate Institute
Thursday, Sept. 24 at 2:30 pm in Olin 1
Friday, Sept. 25 at 12 noon, REM Center, Downtown Waterville (Mid-Maine Global Forum event)
Friday, Sept. 25 at 4:00 pm in TBA

STS Gala End of Year Banquet
Paul Josephson, Colby, "Technologies of Arctic Conquest"
Thursday, April 30 at 5:30 pm in Parker Reed Room, SSW Alumni Center

Charles Darwin, The true story
John van Wyhe, Cambridge University
Monday, April 20 at 7:30 pm in Olin 1

Climate and Cultural Anxiety: Historical and Social Perspectives
April 1-4, 2009 at Colby College
Hosted by STS and supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, with additional support from the Interdisciplinary Studies Division
see the Conference Blog at http://colbysts.blogspot.com/

The Teaching of Science in Nineteenth-Century American Liberal Arts Colleges: Providing Pleasure, Morality, and a Business Advantage
Dr. Marc Rothenberg
Historian, National Science Foundation and Research Associate, Smithsonian Institution
Monday, March 30 at 7:30 pm in Miller 14