WILTON — On Dec. 12, Academy Hill School [AHS] students participated in the “Kid’s Can” program at Foster Career and Technical Education Center [Foster CTEC], an initiative designed to introduce young learners to technical skills and career possibilities through hands-on activities.

The program, developed by retired AHS teachers Brenda Leverdier and Leslie Kaiser, connects classroom learning with real-world applications. Its goal is to spark students’ interest in education and future career opportunities.

“Our goal is to provide students with a hands-on experience that opens their eyes to the possibilities their school learning can provide and gets them excited about the future,” said Ericka Conlogue, school counselor at Academy Hill and Cushing Schools.

Students participated in activities across six Foster CTEC programs: Culinary Arts, Commercial Arts, Digital Media, Pre-Engineering, Building Construction and Outdoor Leadership. Highlights included cooking and meal preparation, designing and screen-printing T-shirts, building picnic tables and using professional film cameras. In Pre-Engineering, students explored concepts through paper rocket designs and bumper testing, while Outdoor Leadership introduced team-building and outdoor skills such as tent construction and canoeing commands.

The program also facilitated mentorship between Foster CTEC high school students and AHS participants. “This promotes mentorship in the Foster CTEC students and connects our AHS students to the work high school students are doing,” Conlogue noted.

Students left the program with a newfound excitement for technical education. “Many students left raving about their experiences and expressed interest in joining Foster CTEC programs in high school or pursuing related careers,” Conlogue said.

The event was made possible through a partnership with Franklin Savings Bank, which sponsored the program. “They are an amazing asset to our community,” Conlogue said, noting that the bank also employs former “Kid’s Can” participants at its Mount Blue Campus branch.

Now in its eighth year, “Kid’s Can” continues to leave a lasting impact on students. “Former participants are now Foster CTEC students who take part in the program, excited to pass on the experience to younger kids,” Conlogue shared.

The program is designed to ensure engagement, with instructors adapting complex concepts for younger audiences through interactive demonstrations. Students particularly enjoyed Culinary Arts, T-shirt design and filmmaking, according to Conlogue.

“Kid’s Can” is a teacher-nominated program that selects students with leadership potential or those who benefit from hands-on learning. It underscores the value of technical education in shaping students’ futures and encouraging career readiness.

For more information, contact Ericka Conlogue, school counselor at Academy Hill and Cushing Schools, at 645-4488 or 645-2442.