In "Hands-On Humanities," two of Pennsylvania College of Technology's most dynamic faculty members discuss the power of the arts and social sciences and how those disciplines mesh with Penn College's hands-on majors to produce well-rounded, global citizens.
Gerry Kaplan, who teaches ceramics, and Jen Wahl, who instructs world history, psychology and sociology courses, join the Tomorrow Makers podcast for a lively exchange on topics including career-centered learning, the tree of knowledge and their penchant for pranking each other.
With ceramics' hands-on nature aligning so well with Penn College's hands-on majors, Kaplan shares his appreciation for students who are "willing to jump in and get their hands, literally, dirty." He admires the fresh perspectives that pour into the ceramics studio from all corners of campus, as well as students' "mechanical, hands-on curiosity" and "urge to create."
Like Kaplan, Wahl teaches students in all majors and enjoys making their learning relevant to their future careers. "Everything is more exciting when it's meaningful to you," she said, sharing an example from a history class where she assigns students to find something invented during the Industrial Revolution, show the evolution of it and how it benefits them in their major today.
Wahl also discusses how psychology and sociology courses equip students with "a better understanding of themselves and the people they're going to work with in the future."
Tomorrow Makers and all who support them should tune in for this illuminating, creative and comical conversation.
As the Fall 2024 semester continues, stay tuned for more new episodes of the Tomorrow Makers podcast. Listeners are also invited to suggest future topics by email.