Albuquerque, New Mexico
June 24, 2001
June 24, 2001
June 27, 2001
2153-5965
22
6.562.1 - 6.562.22
10.18260/1-2--9360
https://peer.asee.org/9360
617
Session 3225
Importance of Ethical and Business Issues in Making Engineering Design Decisions: Teaching through Case Studies
Chetan S. Sankar and P.K. Raju, Auburn University, AL 36849
ABSTRACT
This paper discusses the development of a multi-media case study that documents
the events and decisions leading to the January 27th , 1986 teleconference where the
decision on launching the STS 51-L, Challenger Space Shuttle, was made. The
difference between this case study and others is that it focuses on the processes used, the
five design options that were presented to the NASA management during 1977, the
choice made by NASA during 1980, and the final decision instead of focusing on the
disaster alone. Videos, charts, and animations explain the technical material lucidly.
This case study has been tried in engineering classrooms and has received very positive
feedback. Engineering students found the use of the case study methodology that dealt
with a real-world example to be highly motivating and useful in understanding the
importance of ethical and business issues in making engineering design decisions. The
paper summarizes the case study and discusses the students’ and educators’ reactions to
this new approach of teaching engineering design by providing a longitudinal view of the
design decisions. Information on this case study and book could be obtained from
http://litee.auburn.edu.
1
Sankar, C., & Raju, P. (2001, June), Importance Of Ethical And Business Issues In Making Engineering Design Decisions: Teaching Through Case Studies Paper presented at 2001 Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10.18260/1-2--9360
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