2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Engineering students often question the relevance of humanities and social science courses in their curriculum, wondering whether a direct focus on technical subjects is more beneficial. However, a comprehensive education is crucial for addressing complex engineering challenges. Engineers need to be well-rounded professionals, equipped not only with technical competence but also critical thinking, ethical skills, cultural understanding, and awareness of the social impact of their work. We propose an approach that infuses historical figures (mathematician, scientists, engineers) and case studies into two junior level engineering courses to address this concern.

In this paper, we investigate the impact of introducing historical figures and unique case studies into engineering courses. Selected historical figures and case studies were presented in class, and student feedback was positive. Integrating historical context into engineering courses positively affected student engagement and retention of basic principles, as well as enhancing their interest in learning the topics. By doing so, we hope to enhance the students' understanding of the context and real-world relevance of the theories and principles they encounter in their engineering education.