Thomas Fassell, Teacher at Marlboro High School

Manufacturing Matters with The Council of Industry

In this podcast episode, Harold King, President of the Council of Industry, sits down with Thomas Fassell, a Teacher at Marlboro High School.

Thomas shares his teaching philosophy, emphasizing the importance of learning through doing and embracing failure as part of the process. In his class, students are given the endpoints and are encouraged to find their own path, fostering autonomy and critical thinking skills. The program covers various engineering principles including statics, mechanics, programming, robotics, electronics, and even RC airplanes. With a focus on personalized learning, Tom discusses the flexibility of the program, accommodating students with different career goals, whether they aspire to be professional engineers or seek immediate employment after high school. He also discusses his partnerships with industry players like Sono-Tek and the feedback loop that helps students transition seamlessly from the classroom to the professional world. Tom also shares insights into the changing landscape of science education in New York State, adapting to new teaching standards, and integrating more hands-on, project-based learning. As the program continues to thrive, Tom provides a glimpse into the future, discussing potential expansions and innovative projects, such as integrating solar panels.

For more information about Thomas Fassell's classes, check out their Twitter page at https://twitter.com/mhsEngineering1

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The Council of Industry has been the manufacturer’s association of the Hudson Valley since 1910. We are a privately funded not-for-profit organization, whose mission is to promote the success of our member firms and their employees, and through them contribute to the success of the Hudson Valley Community. For more information about the Council of Industry visit our website at councilofindustry.org.