Ethics workshop through LEAP

Cooper Union has developed an innovative program called LEAP (Leadership in Engineering Advancing the Profession) to expose students to topics not normally covered in the engineering curriculum. One of the workshops offered through LEAP addresses the issue of ethics. The format of the workshop is to address a timely subject (i.e. the Ford-Firestone tire problem) and discuss the ethical implications. The discussion is carefully guided by a panel of faculty, and an environment is created where students feel safe to offer their opinions. Feedback from the students shows the workshop was successful. The students realized that ethical implications of decisions are not always clear