I think more than what we are taught in engineering, the field itself tends to attract more conservative minded people (maybe because it's a safe field?). There's also correlations shown between religiosity, conservatism and studying engineering.
I agree but those people are around 18 when they enroll into college, they can't be that close-minded. At least not until you show them (via curriculums) that there's to life more than science.
Could it be because conservative people tend to be disciplined which requires certain amount of will in the first place ? Just a theory...
I don't think that's it. I'm afraid I know of plenty of undisciplined people that lean far right.
The conservative people I know certainly like to talk about discipline...