AP Spanish Language
Find gaps with guided practice
Guided practice grid visualization
Table of Contents
Unit 4 Overview: Influences of Science and Technology
4.1 Influence of Internet and Public Transportation
4.2 Social Media and Global Challenges
4.3 How Science and Technology Affect Contemporary Life
4.4 Globalization, Social Media, and Identity

🇪🇸ap spanish language review

Unit 4 Overview: Influences of Science and Technology

Verified for the 2025 AP Spanish Language exam•Citation:

Unit 4 Overview

Unit 4 explores the massive role that science and technology play in our lives today, specifically in regard to Spanish-speaking countries. This unit pushes students to master more challenging vocabulary and content and bridge it with the cultural components they’ve learned in previous units. Science and Technology is the main focus of the unit, however many other units can easily be found within this domain, such as Global Challenges, Contemporary Life, and Personal and Public Identities. 

Some major questions we will consider are: 

  • What factors drive innovation and discovery in the fields of science and technology? / ¿Qué factores impulsan la innovación y los descubrimientos en los campos de la ciencia y la tecnología?
  • What role do ethics play in scientific advancement? / ¿Qué papel juega la ética en los avances científicos?
  • What are the social consequences of scientific or technological advancements? / ¿Cuáles son las consecuencias sociales de los avances científicos y tecnológicos?
Image from Pexel

Possible Prompts for the Exam

  1. How have technological advances, such as robots 🤖 and self-driving cars 🚗, impacted our society? / ¿Cómo han impactado nuestra sociedad los avances tecnológicos, como los robots y los coches autónomos? 💡💡Ideas you could use if you got this prompt💡💡
  • Self-driving cars
    • Elon Musk / Tesla
    • Self-driving cars
    • Additional safety measures
    • Fuel efficiency
  •  Robots
    • Can do repetitive actions that are dangerous for humans. (ex: dissecting/retrieving a bomb)
    • Robotic technology has helped amputees regain functionality in lost limbs.
    • Can also take away jobs from humans and cause social friction in their benefits/disadvantages.
  1. What role do values 🤔 and morals 🧭 play in scientific advancements? / ¿Qué papel desempeñan los valores y la moral en los avances científicos? 

💡💡Ideas you could use if you got this prompt💡💡

  • Truth-telling
    • It’s up to scientists to report authentic findings and not withhold important information.
    • Scientists have a moral obligation to be honest about scientific interventions/advances.
      • Examples of this could include genetic testing and genetic modification.
Image from Unsplash
  1. What steps has your community taken to prevent the spread of sickness 😷 and maintain healthy citizens 😃 in its community? / ¿Qué medidas ha tomado su comunidad para prevenir la propagación de enfermedades y mantener ciudadanos sanos en su comunidad? 

💡💡Ideas you could use if you got this prompt💡💡

  - COVID-19
     - What restrictions happened in your community? How do those compare to national restrictions or restrictions we saw play out across the world?
  - AIDS Epidemic
     - The fumbling of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and 1990s has been a traumatic pain source for the gay community, how is the US government reaction different or similar to COVID-19 reactions?

4. How has social media 🤳changed your community, both positively and negatively? / ¿Cómo han cambiado las redes sociales su comunidad, tanto positiva como negativamente? 

💡💡Ideas you could use if you got this prompt💡💡

  - Younger Generations vs. Older Generations
     - Younger generations are much more likely to suffer from self-esteem issues due to being raised in a more tech-forward environment.
     - Older generations often struggle with tech-forward initiatives (such as signing for a vaccine appointment online)
  - Information Spread
     - The plethora of social media helps information spread quickly, which can help save lives in deadly events like natural disasters.
     - However, it’s easy to spread misinformation on social media which can be very misleading in political elections and other important social movements.
Image from Unsplash

These examples are just a snapshot of some of the American and/or Spanish-speaking culture comparisons you could include in the cultural comparison task. They do not have all of the recommended components in a cultural comparison task response (remember, you need to talk about both your culture and a Spanish-speaking culture*).*

Key Vocab 🔑

Here are a couple of important words for this unit. It is important to understand the meaning of each one and their application within the context of science and technology. 

Vocab in English Vocab in Spanish Definition

| Data | Datos  | Se refiere a la estructuración y organización de información, También se refiere al proceso de recolectar, almacenar y mantener información.  | | AI  | IA (Inteligencia Artificial) | Campo de informática que desarolla algoritmos y actividades que necesitan la capacidad/inteligencia humana. En otra palabras, la inteligencia articial intenta reproduz la inteligencia humana a través de la tecnologia.  | | Autonomous  | Autónomo  | Se refiere a la capacidad de hacer algo sin ayuda o apoyo de algún sistema exterior.  | | Morals | Morales  | Es un conjunto de valores, ideias y creencias que determinan lo que correcto y incorrecto.  | | Ethics | Ética | Se refiere el estudio de los fundamentos morales llevando en consideración la sociedad y la cultura.  | | Misinformation  | Desinformación  | Es la publicación de informaciones erradas, sea de forma intencional o no.  | | Innovation | Innovación  | La creación de ideas, sistemas y ideas nuevas. También puede ser entendida como la aplicación práctica de conocimientos. La innovación es extremamente importante para el derallo económico de la tecnologia en el mundo contemporáneo.  |

Key Terms to Review (7)

Autónomo: Autónomo refers to an individual or entity that operates independently, often in a self-employed or freelance capacity. This term emphasizes the ability to manage one's own work, make decisions, and take responsibility for one's economic activities, reflecting a broader trend in how technology and science influence modern work environments and personal autonomy.
Datos: Datos refers to pieces of information or facts that are collected, analyzed, and utilized in various contexts. In the realm of science and technology, datos serve as the foundation for making informed decisions, conducting research, and developing new technologies. They enable individuals and organizations to understand patterns, draw conclusions, and enhance processes based on evidence.
Desinformación: Desinformación refers to the deliberate dissemination of false or misleading information, often with the intention to confuse or manipulate the public. In an age where science and technology greatly influence communication, desinformación can spread rapidly through various digital platforms, affecting public perception and understanding of important issues. This phenomenon can have serious consequences for society, including the erosion of trust in institutions and the hindrance of informed decision-making.
Ética: Ética refers to the branch of philosophy that deals with moral principles and values that guide human behavior. It helps individuals and societies determine what is right or wrong, influencing decision-making processes in various aspects of life, including science and technology. In an era where rapid advancements impact our daily lives, understanding ética is crucial as it shapes our responsibilities and the implications of our actions on society and the environment.
Inteligencia Artificial (IA): La Inteligencia Artificial (IA) se refiere a la simulación de procesos de inteligencia humana por parte de sistemas computacionales. Esto incluye el aprendizaje, el razonamiento y la auto-corrección, lo que permite a las máquinas realizar tareas que normalmente requieren inteligencia humana. La IA se está integrando cada vez más en diferentes aspectos de la vida diaria, desde asistentes virtuales hasta sistemas de diagnóstico médico, afectando la manera en que interactuamos con la tecnología y mejorando la eficiencia en múltiples sectores.
Innovación: Innovación refers to the process of creating new ideas, products, or methods that significantly improve existing solutions or introduce entirely new approaches. This concept is crucial in driving progress and enhancing the way we live, work, and interact with the world around us. It often leads to advancements in various fields, transforming industries and enabling us to address complex challenges more effectively.
Morales: Morales refers to the principles and standards that guide behavior, especially in the context of how science and technology impact our lives. These principles help individuals and societies navigate the ethical implications of scientific advancements and technological innovations, ensuring that progress is aligned with societal values and human well-being.