Social awareness is the ability to recognize and appreciate the emotions, viewpoints, and experiences of others. It supports the development of respectful relationships and encourages the growth of inclusive, caring communities. By fostering empathy, social awareness helps minimize conflict and enhances effective teamwork. One specific way I encourage social awareness in my Intro to Engineering Design class is through collaborative group projects where students must consider diverse perspectives and user needs when designing solutions. For example, students might be tasked with creating a product for individuals with limited mobility, requiring them to research, empathize, and design with inclusivity in mind. This approach builds teamwork and fosters empathy and real-world awareness of how engineering impacts different communities.
