The Triple Aim of a Semester-Long Course in Science, Technology, and Society

This article discusses the importance of incorporating social and ethical knowledge into engineering education through a course in Science, Technology, and Society (STS). With the advent of the Fifth Industrial Revolution, it is crucial for engineers to be aware of societal needs and the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations. However, engineering curricula often prioritize technical and scientific knowledge alone, neglecting social and ethical aspects. We present a description of STS as taught at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod, Philippines, during the academic years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. Here, we outlined government and course-level guidelines that guided the course and described the culminating learning evidence (CLE), the final deliverable of the course. Examples of CLE submissions were provided, followed by evaluations and reflections on lessons learned. We concluded by proposing enhancements to course design and implementation, aiming to improve social and ethical awareness among engineering students.