Activity for Students of Engineering Ethics Course

 

If you're teaching an engineering ethics course, it's important to provide students with activities that allow them to explore ethical principles and apply them to real-world situations. Here's an activity you can use in your course:

Ethical Dilemma Case Studies

Divide the class into small groups and provide each group with a case study that presents an ethical dilemma related to engineering. Here are two examples:

Case Study 1: Self-Driving Car

A self-driving car is involved in an accident that results in the death of a pedestrian. The car was designed to make decisions based on algorithms that consider factors such as the speed and distance of other vehicles and the pedestrian's location. The car's algorithm determined that it was safer to hit the pedestrian than to swerve and risk hitting another car or causing the car's passengers harm. Should the engineers responsible for the car's design be held responsible for the pedestrian's death? What ethical principles are at stake in this case?

Case Study 2: Environmental Impact

A company is developing a new manufacturing plant that will produce a product that is in high demand. However, the plant will release pollutants into the air and water, which could harm the environment and local communities. The engineers responsible for the plant's design must balance the economic benefits of the plant with the potential harm to the environment and human health. What ethical principles should guide the engineers' decisions? What steps can they take to minimize the plant's environmental impact?

Instruct each group to read and discuss their case study and identify the ethical principles that are at stake. Then, have them brainstorm possible courses of action that the engineers in the case study could take. Encourage students to consider the consequences of each course of action, both in terms of their impact on society and the engineers' personal and professional lives.

After each group has had time to discuss their case study, bring the class together and have each group present their findings. Facilitate a class discussion on the similarities and differences between the case studies and the ethical principles that apply to both. Ask students to reflect on how they would approach these situations if they were in the engineers' shoes.

Conclusion

Engaging students in activities that require them to apply ethical principles to real-world engineering dilemmas can help them develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the importance of professional ethics in engineering. Encourage students to continue to reflect on these principles throughout their education and careers to ensure that they are making decisions that benefit society and align with their values.