"An art teacher heard Aktas speak at a conference and was so impressed by him, his passion about art and technology and his skill that she nominated him for the distinction, noting that he developed and implemented “the first fine art 3D printing course at Pine Bush called Art & Fabrication to support students’ creativity with digital manufacturing equipment.” "

"Pine Bush High School is on the leading edge of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) education. The School has many innovative programs including an engineering and design course that aligns with Orange Community College’s engineering 101 enabling students to earn college credits in high school a manufacturing center where students work on CNC equipment, a laser cutter and 3D printers and an automation program where students build and program robots."

"Ken Marshall is one big reason Pine Bush students have access to these exciting, life changing opportunities.

In this episode we talk to Ken (2018 Council of Industry Manufacturing Champion) about how he grew from Art Teacher to STEAM Coach(and exactly what a STEAM Coach does) how to motivate students as well as other teachers, his theories on learning and teaching, and what’s next for Pine Bush. We also talk about preparing students for both college and careers and what’s next for the Pine Bush program."

"We will kick off Manufacturing Day here in the Hudson Valley early with Pine Bush High School’s First Annual Career night on October 4^th from 6:30 – 8:30 at PBHS. We are inviting HV Manufacturers to register for an exhibitor booth to help inform students and parents about manufacturing jobs in the Hudson Valley.

Join over 30 Hudson Valley Manufacturers already committed to help educate parents and students about the importance of Manufacturing and potential career paths. Participating companies will have the opportunity to connect with over 250 students, their parents, and educators and discuss current and potential jobs including internships, part-time employment and apprenticeships. Help us spread the word about the importance of Manufacturing in the Hudson Valley."

"Daniel Aktas, an Art / Technology Instructor at Pine Bush High School sent us some photos and videos of a recent student project.

We designed prototypes in TinkerCAD, 3D printed them, made a mold from them using plaster, cast copies with the mold in liquid clay, and then applied color glaze! It was an amazing project and we ended up donating them to a charity event."

"We also want to support the places that offer training and education, not just for machining, but all manufacturing careers. We support Lincoln Tech – right down the road here, Ulster BOCES up in Port Ewen, Pine Bush High School in Orange County, The Brooklyn Navy Yard development and Hudson Valley Community College in Troy."

"The Gene Haas Foundation is a wonderful resource for things like this – but also much smaller projects to support schools and organizations that want to help prepare people for careers in machining and manufacturing. Pine Bush and Ulster BOCES have both received HAAS Foundation grants to support their programs. "

"The Accelerator, a New York State incubator focused on bringing manufacturing back to the mid-Hudson Valley, recently partnered with the Orange County Youth Bureau to host the conference. Powered by the Orange County Industrial Development Agency, the Accelerator is a regional economic development team that focuses on start-up businesses. The Nov. 20 event included sessions on leadership, professional communications in the modern age, resources and resumes, and mock interview sessions."

"Aaron Hopmayer, affectionately known as “HOP” talked about Pine Bush High School’s success in integrating STEAM into all disciplines and the booming enrollment in their summer enrichment academies (including their newest summer academy for Advanced Manufacturing). "

"Hop shares his experience overcoming obstacles, building engagement and generally doing whatever it takes because “its good for kids”. Pine Bush High School will also be hosting an Advanced Manufacturing and STEAM Careers Night on October 2nd from 5pm – 8:30pm designed for students with interests ranging from entry level positions to Engineers. All are welcome for an opportunity to meet with local manufacturers, colleges and trade schools. There will also be a chance to tour Pine Bush High School’s Innovation Center and Fabrication Labs. "

"Pine Bush High School is now a Polaris Powersports University Program. Students may now train to work on motor sports vehicles, including motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs and UTVs and other Polaris models.

Polaris, an American producer of snowmobiles, ATVs and Victory and Indian motorcycles, donated two motorcycles, two four-wheelers, several motors and mechanical parts to the high school for the program. Students who go through the program can graduate with a silver level certification in maintaining Polaris vehicles, allowing them to get jobs working for Indian motorcycles or any Polaris affiliate."

"The Council of Industry has been the primary professional association of regional manufacturers and related businesses since its founding in 1910. It is a non-profit, member-driven organization that provides training, networking and advocacy focused on building a thriving manufacturing sector in the Hudson Valley.

Other recipients of 2018 Manufacturing Champion Awards include Deirdre Ryder, president and owner of VITS International; Tom Sipos, host of WKIP’s radio talk show “Hudson Valley Focus Live;” and Kenneth Marshall, leader of the Excelsior Engineering program at Pine Bush High School."

O October 4th we will be partnering with Pine Bush High School for the first annual Manufacturing Career Night.

We are inviting HV Manufacturers to register for an exhibitor booth to help inform students and parents about manufacturing jobs in the Hudson Valley.

Visit and tour Pine Bush High School’s manufacturing/engineering classrooms, check out their projects that have gained national recognition and meet the students enrolled in these programs.

Support High School Principal, Aaron Hopmayeras he continues to advocate for Manufacturing and skilled trade education through project-based learning and the launch of an SME Prime High School – designed to customize a curriculum to cultivate employees for local Manufacturing employers.

"Pine Bush High School, right here in Upstate New York, has been actively preparing students for careers in various fields. Principal Aaron Hopmayer has initiated several programs that teach students vocational skills. Most recently he’s leading an effort to develop a PRIME program (Partner Response in Manufacturing Education) at the high school."

"Aaron Hopmayer has been Principal of Pine Bush High School for nearly 18 years. In that time he has helped transform the school into an innovative, student centered place of learning."

" Through our Engineering Excelsior Academy for the past few years we have been doing a lot for our students with 3D printing, 3D modeling and more. The teacher there – Ken Marshall had done an outstanding job. We already work with education, Orange Community College gives kids college credits. They work with industry too, Lloyd Greer of Lloyd’s Motor Works helped them build a motorcycle that set records at the Bonneville Salt Flats. And, they worked with Allendale Machinery to learn how to program and operate a CNC milling machine. Plus, the summer Aviation Academy has a long standing relationship with Pratt and Whitney in Middletown."

"PINE BUSH — Pine Bush High School students who are interested in the engineering, manufacturing, and technology fields are getting a leg up thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation.

The grant, which was secured by Principal Aaron Hopmayer, will be used to support the school’s growing engineering program, as well as to help fund student scholarships.

Jim Quinn, an applications engineer for Haas Automation, the foundation’s parent company, visited PBHS on March 22 to present the check to students in the Excelsior Engineering Academy. Quinn, a 1984 graduate of Pine Bush, got to see how the program has grown since partnering with Haas two years ago. He was especially impressed with how students are using a Haas Mini Mill to produce motorcycle parts, set pieces for the school play, and more."

"am Stathis of Goshen is involved in the sport of harness racing and wanted to reinvent the sport in some way. So he commissioned Pine Bush High School to come up with a redesign of the sulky.

A sulky is a lightweight cart with two wheels and a seat for the driver. It has no body and is pulled by horses for harness racing. The only requirement was that the design had to be American."

"Christian Yeadon, a senior, and Tommy Orr, a junior, were part of the Fabrication Team. They got to work with 3-D printers and plasma cutters. “I got real good with the grinder,” said Yeadon. “Working the plasma cutter was really different.” "