Harvey Mudd College has introduced a groundbreaking course designed to help STEM students critically analyze the societal impact of scientific and technological interventions. Developed as part of the college’s revised Core Curriculum in 2020, the course aims to address the long-standing challenge of ensuring students fully grasp the consequences of their work beyond technical proficiency.
Taught by a team of eight instructors spanning disciplines such as biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, media studies, political science, religious studies, and science and technology studies, the course focuses on California wildfires. By examining the intersection of science, policy, and historical context, students explore how decisions in STEM fields shape real-world outcomes.
One case study highlights the impact of early 20th-century U.S. forestry policies. In 1911, U.S. Forest Service deputy F. E. Olmsted rejected Indigenous fire management practices in favor of an unchecked forest growth model, based on the Social Darwinist idea of “survival of the fittest.” The long-term consequences of these policies, combined with climate change, have led to devastating wildfires across the state.
The course is particularly relevant in an era of increasing climate crises and growing public skepticism toward science. With first responders in Los Angeles using drones for wildfire monitoring since 2015, students explore both the technological benefits and public concerns about surveillance. Through writing, data analysis, and interdisciplinary discussions, the course prepares students to engage with climate solutions while considering diverse stakeholder perspectives.
A key takeaway is that no single technological solution benefits all communities equally. For example, while electric vehicles reduce pollution and operating costs, low-income and rural populations often struggle with inadequate charging infrastructure, highlighting systemic inequities in climate solutions.
Students engage with a variety of materials, including documentaries on the deadly 2018 Camp Fire, wildfire data analysis using Python’s Pandas library, and reports on fossil fuel companies’ roles in exacerbating fire risks. They also examine environmental critiques, Indigenous ecological knowledge, and even poetry by Ada Limón.
For their final assignment, students critically evaluate proposed wildfire mitigation strategies, such as prescribed burning, by assessing historical erasure of Indigenous practices, financial risks, and scientific effectiveness. By fostering analytical thinking across disciplines, the course encourages students to shape careers that integrate scientific innovation with ethical and societal considerations.