MA0101/MP4007/AE4007/CV4000 Engineers and Society / Singapore Studies

Topics for Oral Presentation

Engineering
A.1 Worlds Greatest Engineers (Past) Scientist discover the world as it is, Engineers invent the world that never was . Engineering is a profession without which the comforts and convenience of life would not exist. Present on one of these engineers from history on what they have accomplished that significantly change the progress of mankind. Suggested examples include, Leonardo Da Vinci, Archimedes, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Daniel and Wibur Wright, Daniel Bernouilli, Nikola Tesla, John Logi Baird, Nicolaus Otto, Charles Babbage, Isambard Kingdom Brunel,
Alexandra Graham Bell etc. Present on what you can learn about th eir thinking, philosophy,

genius and determination and the characteristics of a great engineer.

A.2

Famous Engineers (Recent)

Select one famous engineer (recent) and present on what they have accomplished, their inventions and present about their live stories. Share with the class what your group can learn through their engineering contributions. William E. Boeing etc Engineering challenges in the 21st Century Suggested examples include, Burt Rutan,

James Dyson, Gordon Murray, Clive Sinclair, William (Bill) Powell Lear, Dean Kamen,

A.3

Present on an area which you feel currently presents a major engineering challenge for mankind living in the 21st century? Explain why this is so, what innovation has to happen for engineering to solve this problem? What kind of new technology have to be created to solve these problems? How you as a student Engineer can make a contribution, the challenges you will face. Suggested topics include: Renewal or inexhaustible energy source, Access to clean air and water, Security and Terrorism, Advances in Urban infrastructure, Transport, Ending Poverty, Ending Hunger.

A.4

Marvels feats of Engineering

Tunnel Boring machine (TBM), A380/787 Airplane, Bagger 288 Bucket Wheel Excavator, Formula 1 cars, Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, International Space Station, The Worlds Tallest Building, The worlds longest Suspension Bridge, The Worlds biggest Damn, RMS Queen Mary II, Large ElectronPositron Collider (LEP) in Cern. These are some of the best examples of engineering marvels. Present to the class what makes them marvels in feats of engineering. Describe the companies behind their development. What engineering challenges had to be overcome? Present to the class why the solutions taken in their development are so genius in their execution.

A.5

Learning from Failure: Major Engineering Disasters/Failures

Present to the class about any one of the major engineering disasters listed below. What engineering catastrophe happened, what was not done, what was ignored, lessons learnt etc (Local): Nicoll Highway Collapse, Hotel New World Collapse, Jack Up Rig accident at Jurong Shipyard, MRT major breakdown in Dec 2011. (International):Chernobyl Nuclear Plant Disaster, Bhopal Factory Disaster, Shuttle

Challenger/Columbia, Three Mile Island Accident, accident.

Titanic Disaster, Deepwater Horizon

Society, Politics and Economy

B.1 Government Handouts Singapore government had started to give out more and more handouts to her citizens, especially to those needy cases, although the non -needy cases also receive wind fall benefits. These windfall benefits tend to be better during an election year. Discuss the rationale of such a welfare state practice and the dangers such a practice will bring to Singapore.

B.2

Group Representation Constituency

Discuss the merits and demerits of Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in Singapores electoral process. Interview two Singaporeans one who supports the GRC and the other who is against the GRC system.

B.3

Opposition MPs in Singapore

Compare and contrast between the following opposition members from Singapore.

J B Jeyaratham Chiam See Tong Low Thia Khiang

What were their political, social or opposition views? What was their political and social impact to Singapore? How did they manage to gain a seat for their opposition party in Singapore? How had Singapore benefited because of them?

B.4

Creation of the elected presidency in Singapore

In Jan 1991, the creation of the elected presidency was a major constitutional and political change in Singapore's history. Discuss the role of the elected presidency and how/if it

changed the political landscape of Singapore. What are your views of the role of the Singapore President that he/she should or should not do?

B.5

Career Talk about Engineering

You have been tasked to give a career talk about Engineering to a group of Primary 6 students (12 year olds). Your task is to convince them why they should become Engineers. Why Engineering as a career is a worthy profession and provides many fulfilling career choices. You can focus on either of the 3 major fields of Engineering, that of Civil,

Mechanical and or Electrical with the longest Engineering histories or any of the newer engineering disciplines of your choosing. Engineering as a Key Pillar of Singapores Economy

B.6

Explain and present how engineering creates jobs and contributes to the economy of Singapore. How has Singapore benefited from Engineering. Identify new growth areas of engineering that Singapore can benefit from. What are the challenges ahead in Engineering and solutions to be taken in the face of a fast changing world for Singapore?

Ethics
C1. Singapores Population Issue Does Singapore have population shortage problem or is it serious overcrowded? Discuss the pros and cons of the recent government approach to this issue over the last ten years. Has there been an over emphasis on economic growth and to raise the standard of living at the expense of settling down and starting a family? Why has the Government incentives for the younger population largely gone unheeded? differently? How would you manage the situation

C.2

Does Singapore have a soul?

We built casinos to attract foreigners to come to gamble away their hard-earned money. We allow companies or employers to exploit foreign workers and never mind if they have to leave Singapore with wages unpaid. We even refuse to provide assistance to a ship that picked up 40 ship-wrecked refugees. Is Singapore being run like a glorified Country Club where only the best and the brightest who can contribute get to stay in Singapore and we turn away the poor and needy? Present your views in these areas.

C.3 Materialism and Quest for Profit Do you feel that the majority of people living in Singapore are only interested in acquiring material wealth? How far will they go in acquiring material wealth. If you knew you had an opportunity to sell more to a customer even though he does not need it will you do it? If your superior ask you to do something unethical or unsafe or against your professional values as an Engineer, would you do it? How would you manage the situation? Would you report him or join him in the quest for more $$$?

C.4

Is Money = Happiness?

Singapore is wealthy nation. In the governments quest for economic growth, the GDP(Per Capita) of Singapore is one of the top five in the world. However in a recent 2011 Gallup survey of 150,000 worldwide participants in 140 countries, Singapore was ranked as the most emotionless and also the most unhappy. Present to the class reasons why you think this result came about. How is it that countries that are poorer than Singapore are happier and end up being richer in life. What is the lesson to learn from this? What is the optimal balance?

History
D.1 Pioneers of UKs Scientific Revolution Francis Bacon, Robert Boyle, Robert Hooke, James Watt and Isaac Newton are the main pillars of the Scientific Revolution in the UK. Select any one of them and explain his respective contributions, highlighting how he propelled forward the scientific frontiers of the UK, causing it to overtake the European rivals. Discuss also any of his failures or shortcomings. Pioneers of American 2nd Industrial Revolution

D.2

Second Industrial Revolution took place during 1820 to 1914 and it saw rapid industrial development in many parts of the world. Select any one of the well-known engineers in the U.S.A. who helped to propel America into the most industrial advanced country at the end of the Second Industrial Revolution.

D.3

Voyages of Cheng Ho and Vasco da Gama

Compare and contrast the Chinese Admiral Cheng Hos visit to South East Asia in the early 1400s, and the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gamas first voyage to India (149799). Discuss the similarities/differences (e.g. in terms of naval technology, political strategy, culture and power) of these voyages, and the effects of their voyages today.

D.4

Great Greek Thinkers

It is said that much of Western Civilization was influenced by the great Greek Thinkers. How had the world benefited from the ancient Greek thinkers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle? Give an example of how their philosophies are still in use today. Give an example of their philosophies that does not apply in todays context.

D.5

Roman Empire

Discuss what technology helped to build the Roman Empire and what eventually prevented Roman Empire from greater technological advancement and led to its eventual decline. What lessons, if any, Singapore can learn from the fall of such a mighty empire.

D.6

Chief Ministers from Singapore

Compare and contrast between the following past Chief Ministers David Marshall and Lim Yew Hock Discuss on their political and social views? What were their political and social contributions to Singapore? How had Singapore benefited because of them?

Personal Development
E.1 Lessons from Failures lead to Success. Describe a person that you admire and wish to emulate. Describe the challenges in their lives, and what they have overcome. The successes they have achieved. How have they changed society and way of thinking? What lessons in their lives can apply to you and you can overcome?