Florida Polytechnic University has announced a new grant to develop an ethical identity in future science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) professionals. According to Florida Poly, the research will analyze the barriers to ethical behavior in an academic setting, and the ethical attitudes and actions exhibited by students.
The $600,000 grant – reportedly the largest National Science Foundation grant Florida Poly has received thus far – will fund a four-year program focused on students throughout mandatory internships.
About 60 engineering students will participate each year in training, case studies, surveys, and discussions on ethical scenarios. The data will be used to measure the impact these factors have on the students’ actions and reactions. The goal is to develop a methodology that institutions can adopt to promote the establishment of ethical competence as a core skill associated with the engineering identity.
“Engineering is not an easy career. There is a lot of pressure and that’s unfortunately when unethical behaviors may happen,” said Dr. Grisselle Centeno, principal investigator of the research.
“We want to train our students so they have the sensitivity to recognize what’s ethical and what’s non-ethical, and equip them to act ethically,” added Centeno, who is a professor in Florida Poly’s Department of Data Science and Business Analytics.
The research is a collaborative effort between Florida Poly, as the lead institution and the University of South Florida (USF).
In May, Centeno made history by becoming the first Florida Polytechnic University professor and one of two first-ever in the state to be selected for the Executive Leadership in Academic Technology, Engineering, and Science (ELATES) program.
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