Engineers Solve Problems

Activity 7: Ethics for Students

TIME REQUIRED

One to two 50-minute periods.  The situations described in the lesson plan should be used as an introduction to the ethical principles presented in the student readings and other handouts: decisions, decisions, decisions.

RATIONALE

Students are faced with ethical dilemmas almost daily: in school, family, and social settings.  Not only is their personal life governed by standards, but professions of all kinds have standards of ethics.  A basic understanding of ethical decision making is essential to proper conduct.

MATERIALS NEEDED

1. Student reading #1: Ethics for Students
2. Student worksheet
3. Code of Ethics of Engineers
4. Guides to Help in Ethical Decision Making
5. Student reading #2, excerpts from "A Question of Ethics," by Bill Beadle

LESSON OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lesson, the students will be able to:

1. Define ethics.
2. Write at least three rules of personal ethics by which to govern their own lives.
3. In conjunction with the other students in the class, write at least five rules of ethics that can govern school life.

CONCEPTS TO BE LEARNED

1. Ethics is a set of moral principles or values, the principles of conduct governing an individual or a group.
2. All behavior, personal, social, and professional, is judged by ethical standards.
3. Engineers are governed by the "Code of Ethics of Engineers."

LESSON PLAN

Present one or more of the following situations to the class, for discussion either in small cooperative groups or by the class as a whole.  Students should back up their conclusions and decisions with reasons why they chose their answer.

1. A younger brother comes to you, telling you that another child in the neighborhood has been picking on him, calling him names, etc.  He wants you to right the wrong.   What do you do?
2. You are working on a school project in a group.  One of your members refuses to do his or her part in the project.  What do you do?
3. There is a gang of girls in the rest room, smoking.  This is against school rules.   These are pretty tough girls who are known to "get back" at people who "rat" on them.  What do you do?
4. One of your friends has not prepared well for the test today, and you have.  The friend would like to copy your answers.  What do you do?

Conclusions can be drawn from these situations that basic values govern behavior.   What are those values?

List, or hand out, various codes of ethics, such as the "golden rule."   Can these be applied to the above situations?  Be specific.  Which rules can be applied to which situations?

Hand out the student reading "Ethics for Students," along with the student worksheet.  Discuss the reading questions.

CONCLUDING ACTIVITIES

1. Have students write a personal code of ethics, with at least three rules of conduct.
2. In groups, have students design a code of conduct for the class or for the school.
3. Have students individually, or in groups, design a code of conduct for families.   How might this be different from a code for the school of business?  How might it be the same?
4. Have students compare and contrast, by the use of Venn diagrams, the Code of Ethics of Engineers with the other ethical rules studied.   How are they alike?  How are they different?