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Towards a Philosophy of Engineering Laboratories

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Conference

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Portland, Oregon

Publication Date

June 23, 2024

Start Date

June 23, 2024

End Date

June 26, 2024

Conference Session

Technological and Engineering Literacy/Philosophy of Engineering Division (TELPhE) Technical Session 3

Tagged Division

Technological and Engineering Literacy/Philosophy of Engineering Division (TELPhE)

Page Count

12

DOI

10.18260/1-2--48166

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/48166

Download Count

93

Paper Authors

biography

Michael Robinson Saint Vincent College

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Michael Robinson received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State University. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Engineering at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. His academic experience includes positions as an Assistant Professor of Engineering at Messiah College, and as a Visiting Lecturer at Ashesi University in Ghana. His research interests include autonomous vehicle pedestrian avoidance algorithms and the epistemology of engineering education.

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Abstract

Most engineering educators agree that laboratories are a key part of the engineering curriculum, but there is less agreement about what labs are to accomplish. This ambiguity may be partially attributed to changing views in science more broadly about the role of experimentation and parallel changes in emphasis on lab education throughout the twentieth century. When laboratories are seen as practical necessities, their perceived importance decreases. At present, many are returning to the view that laboratories play a key epistemic role. This paper develops a role for philosophy in understanding the purpose of laboratories. Concepts from classical and modern philosophy will be related to undergraduate engineering laboratories. Plato’s view of learning as recollection will be used to suggest stages of understanding in a laboratory. John Henry Newman’s concept of real assent will be presented as a key purpose for the laboratory. Alfred North Whitehead’s rhythm of education will provide guidance on where laboratories naturally fit in the engineering curriculum. Taken together, these sources will develop an answer to the question: what is the role of the laboratory in engineering education?

Robinson, M. (2024, June), Towards a Philosophy of Engineering Laboratories Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--48166

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