Finding Inspiration in Historical Engineering Figures

About Finding Inspiration in Historical Engineering Figures

Abstract

Electromagnetics plays a central role in the electrical curriculum of an engineering school, providing a deeper background for circuits, and a foundation for applications in areas that range from motors to communications. While active and applied learning techniques improve the learning experience of students in such a course, pedagogy at a Christian institution can go a step further by inspiring students with a form of faith integration: presenting the biographies of key historical contributors who expressed Christian faith. In the area of electromagnetics, this includes the notable explorers Joseph Henry, Michael Faraday and James Clerk Maxwel l. While each of these individuals made significant publicly recognized contributions to the field of electromagnetics, how they expressed their faith and commitment in life and work serves as an example for contemporary students to consider, as they anticipate living and working as Christians in the secular world. This paper will provide background information about Henry, Faraday and Maxwell to compare and contrast what aspects of their faith and work contributions were exemplary, and what other lessons might be learned from their experience. As a further work -in-progress contribution, some representative outcomes will be considered from among 29 students who were given a similar prompt as a personal response essay assignment, in an electromagnetics cou rse offered Fall 2021 at Messiah University. Finally, this paper will reflect on how to improve the student assignment for future use, and offer tips for other Christian engineering educators.