Erica M. Mentone
In addition to the need to expose children to a variety of careers throughout their school experience, industrial engineering demands character traits and skills that teachers are always trying to develop in students. Industrial engineers are problem-solvers, data-analyzers, decision-makers leaders, logical-thinkers, researchers, and risk-takers. Industrial engineers look at the big picture and utilize mathematics and research skills to develop the quality of a product or the efficiency of a process.
Throughout this unit, children will be asked to think. So often children are accustomed to there being one right answer in school, but in the work force, and adult life in general, it is not always the case. Often, there may be a variety of processes that will create a product, and it is a question of developing the most efficient one. Other times, there may be a variety of solutions that will solve a problem, and we have to choose the one that makes the most sense at the time. Hardly ever is there a situation in which there is only one right way. Because of this, we must develop these critical thinking and problem-solving skills in our students.