Introduction to Electrical Safety in High School: Information for Prospective Engineering Students

This article introduces electrical safety to high school students enrolled in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program called Project Lead the Way (PLTW). PLTW is a nonprofit 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 program taught at the Appoquinimink High School in Delaware is the PLTW Engineering pathway. In discussions with the program teacher, the offer of providing a basic introduction to electrical safety was introduced. The plan was to present electrical safety basics to 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 (that is, the hazards), and electrical safety around the home. Planned homework assignments were provided. The intention of this program was to create interest in electrical engineering with a focus on electrical safety.