Introduction to Electrical Safety in the High School for Prospective Engineering Students

Abstract

This paper describes the experience of how electrical safety was introduced to high school students enrolled in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) program called Project Lead the Way (PLTW) a non-profit organization that has developed programs that teach skills such as critical and creative thinking, collaboration, and problem solving based on the development of technical knowledge. The specific program taught at a local high school is the PLTW engineering pathway. In discussions with the program teacher during a project review meeting for a senior class, the offer of providing a basic introduction to electrical safety was presented. The current plan was to present some electrical safety basics to a classroom of students in the program during the month of May. Topics covered were standards writing organizations, engineering societies, Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFi), electrical engineering with a focus on the power / industrial side (i.e. the hazards), and electrical safety around their homes. Planned homework assignments were provided. The intention of this program was to create interest in electrical engineering with a focus on electrical safety.