This morning, we took a bus to EATON and learned about the different projects they’re working on. EATON is a large company, and they described their mission as “Intelligent Power Management.” One of the innovations that stood out was their work on supplying charging stations for electric cars. They also mentioned that one of their largest upcoming projects is powering AI data centers in the future.
At the Cold War Museum, I was really impressed with how the experience was designed. Our tour guide could not have been wittier and made funny comparisons between the past and present. I thought she did a great job keeping everyone engaged.
One major theme I’ve noticed during my time in the Czech Republic is the emphasis on preservation. In Prague, the city maintains the streets and constantly updates the cobblestone paths. The buildings are all historical and cannot be altered on the outside. In some areas, buildings are even required to have red clay roofs to preserve scenic views.
The Cold War Museum was especially interesting because they preserved a communist-era bunker and turned it into a place of learning. The tour guide had so many clever puns and made (deserved) jabs at the U.S. that made us laugh. But when she discussed the more serious topics, it was easy to shift into a thoughtful mindset and focus on what she was saying.
I really enjoyed learning about this era of the Czech Republic’s history, because it plays such a key role in shaping the country today. For example, during the communist era, religion was largely suppressed, and today only about 30% of the population is religious.
From an ethical standpoint, I believe engineers have a responsibility to consider the history of the area they are working in. It helps build a connection with the people living there and provides a more holistic understanding of the industry beyond just the technical side. I’m learning more and more that engineers can’t just be technical experts—they also need to be well-rounded, have strong communication skills, and be empathetic people who design for the communities they care about.
Swanson School of Engineering 