This year, the district introduced a new course at the high school level that offers students a unique opportunity to explore pharmaceutical sciences through hands-on learning and real-world applications. The class is designed to spark interest in medical and health-related careers while providing foundational knowledge in a specialized and growing field.

Throughout the year, students have engaged in a range of lab experiences that mirror key aspects of the pharmaceutical process—from compounding medications to exploring dosage forms—creating a dynamic learning environment that prioritizes exploration and skill-building. This course gives students the tools, knowledge, and experiences they need to make informed decisions about their futures. We sat down with Colonie Central High School teacher (and class of 1995 alum), Dr. Connie Woytowich, who shared her reflection on this milestone year for the CCHS science department and what this curriculum means for students.

Q&A:

• This is the first year the pharmaceutical course has been offered at the high school. What inspired the decision to introduce this program?
  • The idea grew from a shared commitment to offering students meaningful, forward-looking electives that blend real-world applications with science. With healthcare and pharmaceuticals being such critical and evolving fields, this course provides early exposure to career pathways while strengthening scientific literacy. Our district’s support for innovation in curriculum gave me the opportunity to bring this to life, and I was excited to expand our offerings beyond traditional science classes.
• What are your goals for this course in terms of student growth and learning?
  • My goals are twofold: first, to expand students' understanding of the pharmaceutical industry—including their potential roles in it—and second, to empower them as informed patients and caregivers. By the end of the course, students can:
    • Classify drugs and their medical uses
    • Trace the historical roots of drugs from natural sources
    • Understand drug legislation and the FDA approval process
    • Distinguish between prescription, over-the-counter, and supplement products
    • Analyze pharmacokinetic data and drug metabolism
    • Perform pharmaceutical calculations for accurate dosing and compounding
    • Explore medication safety and error prevention
    • Apply concepts through real-world labs and case studies

• Why is it important to introduce pharmaceutical sciences at the high school level?
  • High school students are naturally curious and beginning to make independent choices, including how they interact with medications and supplements. This course serves as both a launchpad for those considering careers in healthcare and as a tool for personal empowerment—helping students understand how drugs work, how to interpret labels, and how their bodies (or if they are a caregiver, a loved one) may react to different compounds.
• In your opinion, what are the greatest benefits of exposing students to the pharmaceutical field early on?
  • Early exposure helps students discern not just what interests them, but also what doesn’t—which is just as valuable. It gives them clarity and direction. It also demystifies the healthcare field and shows the wide range of careers available beyond becoming a doctor.

• Can you share some examples of the labs or hands-on activities students participated in this year?
  • Students have analyzed over-the-counter drug labels, synthesized aspirin, and performed a vitamin C analysis. They also designed their own imaginary drug products. In our final quarter, we’re using Daphnia magna to observe how stimulants like caffeine affect heart rate—bringing pharmacodynamics to life in a way that’s both visual and measurable. We are also spotlighting the top diseases in the country to make the course even more applicable to their everyday lives as patients and potential caregivers.
• Why is experiential learning so valuable in a course like this?
  • Experiential learning connects the dots between theory and practice. It allows students to see how abstract scientific concepts apply to real-life health decisions and careers. That kind of hands-on engagement deepens both understanding and interest.

• Which lab or activity have students been most excited about so far?
  • Honestly, they've been enthusiastic about all of the activities. Every lab has sparked excitement and curiosity, which makes teaching this course incredibly rewarding.
• How has teaching this course influenced your perspective as an educator?
  • It’s reminded me how important it is to be a lifelong learner. I’m lucky to work in a district that supports innovation. When I introduced our Personal Genetics course, it pushed me to grow professionally, and this class has done the same. Every time I teach something new, I learn more too.

• What has been your biggest takeaway from launching this program?
  • There’s so much to uncover—how many drugs are on the market, how to properly dose a medication, the complexity of the approval process, and how critical it is to read and understand labels. It’s eye-opening how much people don’t know about medications they take every day.
• How do you envision the course evolving in the coming years?
  • I’d love to see this course evolve into a broader health and wellness pathway, which aligns with our administration’s vision for expanding career-focused opportunities through CEIP. I’ll be proposing college-level courses in both Intro to Nursing and Nutrition to build on this foundation in the near future. These additions would not only deepen students’ understanding of healthcare but also allow them to earn college credit—helping them save on tuition and gain a head start in their postsecondary plans. As someone who benefited from early college credit while attending this school, it’s incredibly meaningful to now help create similar opportunities for our students and support their paths toward upward mobility.

• What kind of feedback have you received from students about the class?
  • They’ve told me they love it—it’s fun, informative, and hands-on. They especially enjoyed our field trip to Albany College of Pharmacy, where they saw labs, lecture halls, and real biomedical research in action.
• How do you think this course supports students as they consider future careers or areas of study?
  • It opens a window into what's possible. Whether or not they pursue pharmacy, it shows them the range of opportunities in science and healthcare. They realize the future isn’t a single path—it’s full of options with varying levels of education and commitment.