Addressing the Public Understanding of Engineering: A Case Study

Mickey R. Wilhelm

Download Paper | Permalink

Conference: 2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Publication Date: June 10, 2012
Start Date: June 10, 2012
End Date: June 13, 2012
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Engineering and Public Policy I
Tagged Division: Engineering and Public Policy
Page Count: 10
Page Numbers: 25.133.1 - 25.133.10
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--20893
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/20893
Download Count: 295

Request a correction

Paper Authors

biography

Mickey R. Wilhelm P.E. University of Louisville

visit author page

Mickey R. Wilhelm is Dean Emeritus and professor of industrial engineering. He was Dean of the J. B. Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville from 2003-2011, and has been a faculty member at U of L for 36 years. He received a B.S.E. in electrical engineering, and the M.S.E. and Ph.D. degrees in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Alabama, Huntsville. He is a Fellow of both the Institute of Industrial Engineers and the World Academy of Productivity Sciences. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the commonwealth of Kentucky and is Emeritus Member of the Kentucky Board of Engineers and Land Surveyors (its Chairman in 2010). He is also an Emeritus Member of the National Council of Examiners of Engineers and Surveyors, and is currently a
member of the Board of Directors of ABET.

visit author page

Download Paper | Permalink

Abstract

Addressing the Public Understanding of Engineering: A Case Study The National Academy of Engineering (NAE), among other influential bodies, has recently asserted that, “despite the impact of engineering in our daily lives, most Americans do not understand what engineers do and are largely unaware of the opportunities available through an engineering education.” As a result, they have implemented a formal program, called Vision, to assist in addressing the obvious media blind spot to the importance of engineering in solving the problems confronting society, and thereby to address the shortage of students who prepare themselves to study engineering while in K‐12. Even before the NAE became engaged in this project, the author, then a new dean of a medium‐sized engineering school in the mid‐west, became concerned about this problem. His concern was prompted by members of the public commenting to him that his engineering school was “great,” to which he would reply, “thanks, why do you think that our school is great?” From their responses, it became apparent that the reasons for these opinions were grounded in the difficulty of gaining admission to the school, the rigor of engineering the curricula offered, and the success, or non‐success, of the respondent, a relative, or acquaintance in graduating from the school. No respondents cited the importance of engineering in society, nor referenced what engineers actually do in their responses. Using funds from an endowment account, the author commissioned a company to conduct a scientifically designed survey of the public to determine the depth of commonly held knowledge about the school and its reputation, and, more importantly, the depth of understanding of engineering in general and what engineers do. The results of this survey then drove a publicity campaign that has been in effect for the past four years and has demonstrated some success in gaining the attention of the public to these key issues. This campaign was designed and implemented by a large local public relations firm, with the direction and approval of the author. This paper will provide the background for the program, some results of the survey of the public, the guiding philosophy of the public relations campaign, examples of the actual media pieces used in the campaign, and an initial assessment of its effectiveness. The paper will also compare the similarity and differences between the NAE Vision program and that employed in the engineering school’s program as implemented.

Citation
Format

Wilhelm, M. R. (2012, June), Addressing the Public Understanding of Engineering: A Case Study Paper presented at 2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, San Antonio, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--20893

TY  - CPAPER
AB  -                  Addressing the Public Understanding of Engineering:                                       A Case Study                                               The National Academy of Engineering (NAE), among other influential bodies, has recently asserted that, “despite the impact of engineering in our daily lives, most Americans do not understand what engineers do and are largely unaware of the opportunities available through an engineering education.”  As a result, they have implemented a formal program, called Vision, to assist in addressing the obvious media blind spot to the importance of engineering in solving the problems confronting society, and thereby to address the shortage of students who prepare themselves to study engineering while in K‐12.  Even before the NAE became engaged in this project, the author, then a new dean of a medium‐sized engineering school in the mid‐west, became concerned about this problem. His concern was prompted by members of the public commenting to him that his engineering school was “great,” to which he would reply, “thanks, why do you think that our school is great?” From their responses, it became apparent that the reasons for these opinions were grounded in the difficulty of gaining admission to the school, the rigor of engineering the curricula offered, and the success, or non‐success, of the respondent, a relative, or acquaintance in graduating from the school. No respondents cited the importance of engineering in society, nor referenced what engineers actually do in their responses.  Using funds from an endowment account, the author commissioned a company to conduct a scientifically designed survey of the public to determine the depth of commonly held knowledge about the school and its reputation, and, more importantly, the depth of understanding of engineering in general and what engineers do. The results of this survey then drove a publicity campaign that has been in effect for the past four years and has demonstrated some success in gaining the attention of the public to these key issues. This campaign was designed and implemented by a large local public relations firm, with the direction and approval of the author.  This paper will provide the background for the program, some results of the survey of the public, the guiding philosophy of the public relations campaign, examples of the actual media pieces used in the campaign, and an initial assessment of its effectiveness. The paper will also compare the similarity and differences between the NAE Vision program and that employed in the engineering school’s program as implemented. 
AU  - Mickey R. Wilhelm P.E.
CY  - San Antonio, Texas
DA  - 2012/06/10
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Addressing the Public Understanding of Engineering: A Case Study
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/20893
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--20893
ER  -