Making The Strange Familiar: Creativity and the Future of Engineering Education

Why does the perception persist that engineers are uncreative, or worse, do not need to tap into creativity when most engineering projects demand creative or innovative approaches in the design of equipment, systems, and facilities? With the complexity surrounding every engineering project mounting as natural resources dwindle, the world population increases, and the global infrastructure and economy grow ever more intertwined, the creativity and innovation necessary to address the big issues facing civilization— maintaining the infrastructure; providing food, water, shelter, and power to the population; and growing sustainably and safely—will only increase in importance. But what is creativity and how can you teach it to engineering students? This paper examines these questions to make the case that fostering creativity knowledge, skills, and attitudes is vital for the future of engineering and engineering education. In so doing, the authors survey how creativity and innovation are approached (or not) in the classroom and offer strategies to make creativity a part of every engineering curriculum and course.

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