Background: The concepts of size and scale in nanotechnology are difficult for most beginning engineering students to grasp. Yet, guidance on the specific aspects of size and scale that should be taught and assessed is limited. Purpose: This research sought to empirically develop a framework for size and scale conceptualization and provide a…

The teacher plays an important role in the Technology and Design (T&D) classroom in terms of guiding students in their design process. By using concepts developed within engineering philosophy along with a framework for teacher-student interactions the design process in a T&D classroom is classified. The material shows that four of six…

The author implies or mentions in general that many factors, such as economic, cultural, psychological and political, all interacting with one another, determine the state of society and more specifically that of our environment. Basically, however, he attempts to identify how engineering and technology fit into the situation. He states, as a…

Presents a collection of regional papers that give an overview of the present state of ethics teaching in engineering curricula. Provides historical information concerning the motivation for and the development of engineering ethics, points to important topics and trends that arise from the papers, and identifies the main challenges for the…

Describes attempts in Britain to unite physics and technical studies in the new GCE A level engineering students (college bound). (Advocates more interdisciplinary efforts and greater use of mathematics.) (TS)

Cited are the educational challenges of undergraduate, graduate, and professional engineering programs; the main emphasis is on the challente to provide engineering education for non-engineering students at both the undergraduate and adult levels. The need for such a program stems from a conviction that no citizen can be considered educated in…

Describes a PMC college course which is an introduction to technology and its impact upon society for non-scientists. Case studies of computer technology, pollution, communications, and other systems are used to bring into perspective the roles and responsibilities of the engineer and scientist in today's society. (Author/TS)

Describes a course at Kansas State University intended to bring together students of all disciplines for intensive discussion of technology and society. (Author/TS)

This paper describes ideas initiated as a step toward reaching a better understanding of the design process, the factors affecting engineering design, and how the engineering design process might be beneficially influenced. The starting point for the effort was a consideration of: (1) the recent historical development of Systems Engineering, and…

Offers reasons why students should be exposed to and understand the implications of the global character of science and technology. Examples of scientific/technical issues and problems which are global in their scope are long-term atmospheric warming trends, weather forecasting, desertification, earthquake prediction, acid rain, and nuclear…

Discusses issues and strategies related to developing courses and materials that will help nonengineering students develop an understanding of the technological process. A description of a course suitable for both liberal arts and engineering students (which focuses on the analysis of a newsworthy technological issue) is provided as an example.…

Describes the development of new engineering course offerings for non-engineering students. Six topics are considered of current importance and probable interest to non-technical students: technology, transportation, information, energy, environment, and urban problems. (TS)