LOS BANOS, CA – Michael Tellez, a Mechanical Engineering student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and native of Los Banos, earned national recognition after placing in the top four at the 8th Annual Lockheed Martin Ethics in Engineering Competition, held in Bethesda, Maryland.
Tellez and his teammate, Aerospace Engineering student Konnor Barnes, were among 67 university teams that competed in the two-day event, which challenges students to analyze complex ethical dilemmas and propose responsible engineering solutions. This year’s case study focused on the ethical challenges involved in the merger of two wildfire management companies, including conflicting views on the use of artificial intelligence in firefighting decisions.
“Our approach focused on addressing the ethical dilemmas stalling the project and affecting morale,” said Tellez. “We also tackled rumors about teams withholding crucial information by proposing a full transparency policy, so everyone was working with the same information.”
The Embry-Riddle team, mentored by Associate Professor of Communication Dr. Caroline Koons, advanced to the semifinals — ultimately ranking among the top four teams nationwide. The competition emphasized communication skills, ethical reasoning, and real-world application of engineering principles.
“Creating designs and seeing a project through its lifecycle is important, but retaining a safe environment for your co-workers is just as important,” Tellez said.
He added that the experience gave him a new level of confidence in his ability to navigate difficult professional conversations. “When I am talking with another engineer, and we disagree, I need to listen and ensure they feel understood. I also learned to be assertive in a professional manner so that my concerns are addressed as well.”
Both Tellez and Barnes received support through Embry-Riddle’s Undergraduate Research Institute via its E-Prize grant. Their performance highlights the university’s emphasis on ethical training as an integral part of engineering education.
