Learning to Look on the Science and Technology with a Critical Eye in Engineering Education

We are in the problematic world created by the modern science and technology. The general public are increasingly concerned about the risks rather than the benefits of technologies. Nevertheless, to cast a critical eye upon technological endeavor of industries is not popular in the engineering field. Engineering education tends to only emphasize the bright side of science and technology and does not necessarily aim to educate engineers who want be responsible for the real needs of the society.This paper first reviews the problems of present engineering education from the viewpoint of fundamental concepts of engineers developed by Henry Dyer who initiated Japan's engineering education in the Meiji era. Then expectations of the society for modern engineers are noticed. Lastly, experiences of an experimental new class which encourages engineering students to look on the dark side of science and technology and to think of a new role of engineers in the technological world are summarized. Results show that engineering students are greatly interested in the new role.