Abstract

We think that what we need now are engineers who believe in, and take on, the role of activists. Why? Because our world and society need activist engineers who bring the passion and commitment to change to effect change. If engineers remain content to let society define problems for engineers to ‘solve,’ then engineers become the ultimate tool of society. And as is the case with all tools, their real value is in how they are used. We contend that engineers must decide for themselves how to be used by society, and not let society make that decision. Activists, on the other hand, actively pursue change. Therefore, an activist philosophy -believing in advocating for change, not just implementing change -will help bring new values to the engineering profession. Now, the important question to address is: What does it mean to educate engineering students to be engineering activists? The chapter provides suggestions for how engineering education can promote an activist philosophy in developing future engineers.