sts.umd.eduScience, Technology and Society Program | College Park Scholars

College Park ScholarsAbout Curriculum Housing Annual Traditions Enrichment Opportunities People History News 2024-25 Programs Arts Business, Society and the Economy Civic Engagement for Social Good Data Justice Environment, Technology and Economy Global Public Health International Studies Justice and Legal Thought Life Sciences Media, Self and Society Public Leadership Science and Global Change Science, Technology and Society Student Organizations Lakeland STARs Peer Mentors Scholars Promoting and Revitalizing Care (SPARC) Student Advisory Board Student Communications Committee For Scholars Campus Resources Invited Students Incoming Students Current Students Alumni & Friends 2023–2024 Programs Arts Business, Society and the Economy Environment, Technology and Economy Global Public Health International Studies Justice and Legal Thought Life Sciences Media, Self and Society Public Leadership Science and Global Change The Current Page is Science, Technology and Society Home 2023–2024 Programs Science, Technology and Society Science, Technology and Society The socially responsible application of science and technology Introduction Our lives and bodies are intertwined with science and technology. We depend on them to support how we live now and hope that new discoveries will improve our lives in the future. What can we do today, however, to bring about our ideal future? Science, Technology and Society (STS) seeks to understand the challenges standing between the present we have and the future we want. Students explore the powerful social, ethical and political relationships that drive research and innovation, asking: What factors determine the trajectories of scientific research and technological development? Which research and development pathways have the greatest positive impact with the least harm, and who decides which pathways are taken? What strategies will influence decision-making to realize the best possible outcomes? Using scenario analysis, simulations, and systems thinking, on teams and independently, students will learn methods to assess, design and influence the direction of scientific and technological change. Because STS values interdisciplinary collaboration, we welcome students from all majors. If you have an interest in maximizing the societal benefits of scientific inquiry and technological innovation, you will be a valued member of our community. Colloquium and Lecture Topics What are the grand challenges of our times? What drives technological change? How do we solve the scientific literacy problem? Why is thinking about race, gender and sexuality relevant to science and technology? I felt a sense of belonging in the classroom that I could tell my instructors worked so hard to create. All of our perspectives and imaginative solutions to real problems were welcome. My Scholars program was a safe space where I learned so much about myself, my interests and the world. Menal Shams ’23 Other Learning Opportunities As an STS student, you’ll go on field trips that let you apply the techniques you learn in class to the real world. Sites include the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center, Baltimore Underground Science Space and the Smithsonian’s Innovation Hall. Service opportunities are also embedded in the STS curriculum. As an STS student, you might volunteer for technical literacy workshops, participate in Regional Science Bowls, help out at Community Forklift and more. STS features three rewarding practicum opportunities: Robotics service-learning program: Students explore innovative ways of encouraging STEM education in Prince George’s County schools Infrastructure and Society: Students work with professional engineers on a service-learning project that assesses the safety and viability of infrastructure The Future of Science Communication: Students collaborate with scientists and laypeople to prototype ideas for communicating scientific and technical information. STS’s robotics service-learning program is always open to working with new partners. Please contact Matt Aruch or Tim Reedy if you are a school, community organization or other entity interested in: Partnering with STS to provide Lego robotics education; Recruiting volunteers for science, fairs, career days or demonstrations; or Working with STS on grant proposals or research. Curriculum Overview The STS curriculum is designed as a thematic complement to your major that will fulfill many of your General Education requirements. Over the two-year program experience (four semesters), students will complete 3 credits of colloquium, a 3-credit practicum and a 3-credit capstone course. The following table represents a typical two-year curriculum, but individual schedules may vary. Details about courses and requirements can be found on the STS Citation Checklist. View the Science, Technology and Society Citation Checklist SEMESTER COURSES CREDITS Freshman Fall Scholars Colloquium 2 credits Academic Writing 3 credits 3–4 courses toward degree and major requirements (including possible supporting course) 9–12 credits Freshman Spring Scholars Colloquium 1 credit 3–4 courses toward degree and major requirements (including possible supporting course) 9–12 credits Sophomore Fall Scholars Practicum (can be taken in the fall or spring) 3 credits Scholars Capstone (can be taking in the fall or spring) 3 credits 3–4 courses toward degree and major requirements (including possible supporting course) 9–12 credits Sophomore Spring Scholars Practicum (if not already taken in the fall) 3 credits Scholars Capstone (if not already taken in the fall) 3 credits 3–4 courses toward degree and major requirements (including possible supporting course if not already completed) 9–12 credits Sponsoring College A. James Clark School of Engineering Residence Hall Cambridge Hall Office Address 1210 Cambridge Hall Office Phone 301-405-7 219 Faculty David Tomblin Program Director, Science, Technology and Society View Profile for David Tomblin Nicole Mogul Assistant Director, Science, Technology and Society View Profile for Nicole Mogul Christine Alexander Lecturer, Science, Technology and Society View Profile for Christine Alexander Kuan-Hung Lo Lecturer, Science, Technology and Society View Profile for Kuan-Hung Lo Timothy Reedy Lecturer, Science, Technology and Society View Profile for Timothy Reedy Vivian Zohery Graduate Assistant, Science, Technology and Society View Profile for Vivian Zohery Social Media Etc. Stories Beneath the Shell: UMD and College Park Host First Technology Literacy Workshop since 2020 , March 2022 Baltimore Sun: Experiential Learning in a Virtual World , February 2021 Science, Technology and Society News Search Category - Any - Alumni News Arts News Business, Society and the Economy News Civic Engagement for Social Good News Data Justice News Environment, Technology and Economy News Global Public Health News International Studies News Justice and Legal Thought News Faculty and Staff News Life Sciences News Media, Self and Society News Public Leadership News Science, Discovery and the Universe News Science and Global Change News Science, Technology and Society News Student News Program News Author Showing 1 - 6 of 26 May 06, 2024 Twelve Scholars Named Class of 2024 Senior Marshals Senior Marshals are graduating seniors who have demonstrated the highest levels of scholarship, service to the campus community, extracurricular involvement, and personal growth. The University of Maryland Senior Marshals represent graduating seniors who have demonstrated the highest levels of scholarship, service to the campus community, extracurricular involvement, and personal growth. May 02, 2024 Scholars Shine at Do Good Challenge Finals Despite not capturing the top prizes at the 2024 Do Good Challenge Finals held earlier this week, four members of College Park Scholars and their respective projects shined.Two Scholars - Takiyah Roberts (STS) and Elias Laskey...