In the past 15 years a new curriculum field known as "Science, Technology, and Society" or STS has been established, first in higher education and since 1982 in K-12 education. The first section of this review charts the development of the STS field since the late 1960s. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s a group of writers, called STS prophets, focused attention upon the effects of science and technology on our society. The ideas of the STS prophets were assimilated in university interdisciplinary courses that urged a "social process" view of science and technology. The second section accounts for the extension of STS into K-12 education in the period of the "excellence reports" and the attempt to rebuild science education. The primary goal that has emerged for STS education is frequently spoken of as "scientific and technological literacy." The third section considers how this form of literacy has been tied to participation as a citizen in our democratic society. Because of their lack of STS education, citizens are unable to understand, or to participate in an informed way regarding, many issues on the public agenda. To counter this crisis, established forms or other possible forms of citizen participation should be selected for special emphasis in education. A number of suggestions are summarized. The final section considers the practicability of educational reforms proposed by STS educators. Appended are 63 notes. (MLF)