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Valley Central FCCLA students present 'Curious Connections' project promoting hands‑on learning
Summary
Two Valley Central High School sophomores presented their FCCLA Public Policy Advocate project, reporting measurable gains from hands‑on lessons and urging broader adoption of active learning strategies as they pursue advocacy informed by a draft state bill.
Isabella Sakowski and Rachel Graasier, sophomores at Valley Central High School and members of the school's FCCLA chapter, told the school board they saw clear learning gains after piloting hands‑on lessons across multiple classes.
The students, introduced by FCCLA adviser Jamie Rywalt, described projects including building a plane and car with a life‑skills class (a reported 30% pre‑to‑post test gain) and extracting DNA from strawberries in a living‑environment class (a reported 38% gain). They said an escape‑room math activity helped students practice converting mixed numbers to improper fractions and that hands‑on approaches increased student engagement and community building.
Sakowski and Graasier said their project, titled "Curious Connections," was inspired by a draft state bill they reviewed and reworked with local Assembly staff; they said they will continue advocacy to promote flexible, experiential learning models. Rywalt described the students as representing the school at an upcoming New York State STAR Event conference.
The presentation concluded with applause from the board and public. The students asked the board to consider how hands‑on learning could be supported districtwide; administration later noted several curriculum initiatives and pilot programs under consideration for 2026–27.
